The Petitioner is requesting an amendment to the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) from Parks and Recreation to Planned Development for the 66.5 acres parcel. The property is referred to as the Fairgrounds. The property is approximately one mile north of Hunter Army Airfield and approximately 1.5 miles west of the Medical Center neighborhood. The historic Tatemville neighborhood forms the eastern border of the neighborhood and a portion of its southern border. The property includes several large, abandoned buildings and aged roadways. The buildings were built before 1986. Part of the property is delineated as wetlands and a direct tributary of the Little Ogeechee River.

Planning for the site began as early as Summer 2020 with the City’s open request for design proposals from entities interested in working toward the site’s redevelopment. In December 2020, MPC issued a technical memorandum offering perspective on an appropriate course for site planning, future uses and other design considerations. The memo also included brief reviews of the proposals of three finalists selected (Exhibit: MPC 2020 Technical Review).

On April 20, 2023, the City entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with P3 Joint Venture Group, LLC (P3) for the sale and future development of the site. The sale was based on a proposal submitted by P3 to redevelop the Fairgrounds with a mixed-use project to include housing, film studios, a creative workforce innovation center, neighborhood commercial uses, an indoor sports facility, outdoor sports fields and courts, playgrounds, a nature preserve, and more. On April 25, 2024, the City approved a Development Agreement to include:

• Phase 1: 30 single-family and 20 townhomes.
• Phase 2: 70 affordable apartments for seniors and a 2.4 acres park.
• Phase 3: Studio, sport fields, and basketball courts.
• Phase 4: 60 townhomes, commercial, sport fields, and nature preserve.
• Phase 5: 220 apartments and indoor recreational facility.

On April 30, 2024, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the requested FLUM amendment at 4801 Meding Street from Parks and Recreation to Planned Development.