Avondale Estates ends agreement with multi-use developer, anxious to try again

By Bill Banks

For the AJC

Nearly six years ago, Florida-based Century Retail was planning a sprawling, ambitious 375,000-square-foot mixed-use development in downtown Avondale Estates.

oday the single testament to the city's project with Century Retail – which filed for bankruptcy last fall -- is what locals call "the erector set" -- a two-story steel skeleton of building that has stood unfinished and untouched for 2 ½ years.

Last week, after years of discussion, acquisitions and accusations, the development agreement came to a quiet end during a Board of Mayor and Commissioners Regular Meeting.

“We are going to move forward in pursuing discussions with development companies," Mayor Ed Rieker said. "We want to get the word out that Avondale is developer friendly.”

full story at ajc