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LAKESIDE MARKETPLACE OPENS 100% LEASED
7/29/2006
SuperTarget Anchors Line-Up of Retail Heavy-Hitters
ACWORTH, GA. — Construction is complete. Shelves are stocked. And shoppers are fired up for the opening of Lakeside MarketPlace, Acworth, Ga.’s newest shopping destination.
On July 29, North American Properties will officially open the doors to Northwest Cobb County’s next generation of premier retailing. Situated on the former site of the Highway 41 Flea Market, Lakeside MarketPlace is Cobb County’s first completed Tax Allocation District. The rapid pace and success of the shopping center’s tenant lease-up proves the viability of the City of Acworth as the “next Marietta.” The 330,000-square-foot power center is located on 40 acres, .5 mile north of the intersection of Cobb Parkway and Acworth Due West Road, across from The Home Depot in Acworth, Ga.
The “Ultimate Backyard BBQ” grand opening festivities will serve up a day of shopping, dining and backyard fun. From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on July 29, this community-wide spectacular will bring together residents of Cobb, Cherokee and Douglas Counties to celebrate the new shopping destination. A full schedule of activities is planned throughout the day; including a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon, live music from Ravenwood, a live radio remote from Sports Radio 790 The Zone, prize giveaways as well as activities for children of all ages. Food will be provided by Longhorn Steakhouse. Bottled water will be provided by SuperTarget.
“Our MarketPlace brand of shopping centers delivers upscale retail and dining alternatives to retail nodes primed for new development,” explained Tonya Creekmore, vice president of leasing, North American Properties. “The grand opening festivities on July 29 will allow everyone in Northwest Cobb County and beyond to experience the upscale shopping environment of North American’s Lakeside MarketPlace and the vitality of the Acworth community.
“The diversity and quality of tenants we’ve lined-up for Acworth will certainly enhance the amenity base already established in this area,” continues Creekmore. The anchor tenant line-up for Lakeside MarketPlace includes such household names as SuperTarget, Circuit City, Ross Dress for Less, PETCO, Books-A-Million, OfficeMax, Famous Footwear and Party America. Other tenants include:
Cingular Wireless
E! Nail Salon Spa & Tan
Flagstar Bank
GNC
Justice
Mattress Firm
Payless Shoe Source
Supercuts
The retail center will also offer the following dining options:
Fire Mountain (operated by Ryan’s Restaurant Group)
Longhorn Steakhouse
Panda Express
Steak ‘n Shake
Taco Bell and Long John Silver
Lakeside MarketPlace is situated on 40 acres of inert landfill which required substantial remediation in order to make this site viable for development. North American Properties and the City of Acworth formed a public/private partnership to secure tax increment financing for the installation of the substantial infrastructure needed for construction. The $6.05 million Lakeside Tax Allocation District (TAD) was approved October 18, 2006 by the City of Acworth, Cobb County and the Cobb County School Board and supplemented the necessary improvements. The site work needed to stabilize the landfill and make the site environmentally sound cost $7.8 million.
Building A Bridge for Education
Lakeside MarketPlace not only delivers shopping and dining alternatives to the region, but is a catalyst that has inspired corporate citizens to join in the pursuit of excellence in education in Cobb County and surrounding communities. North American Properties is leading the charge with its “Build A Bridge” program, an education initiative designed to help improve schools in communities where the company builds shopping centers.
“We believe in investing in a community that has invested in us and our vision for Lakeside MarketPlace,” explained Creekmore. “Build A Bridge is an education initiative undertaken by North American as part of every development project. It affords us an avenue to forge connections between our merchants and area schools and, hopefully, foster long-term, positive change in the lives of our children.”
During the 2005/2006 school year, while the shopping center was under construction, North American Properties formed a corporate partnership with Acworth Elementary School. Since that time, the company has supported the school in various ways, including:
> 3rd grade tutoring in reading
> Financial support for Cadre School Beautification Project
> Bottled water donation for a field trip
> 5th grade luncheon sponsor
Through Build A Bridge, North American Properties encourages its merchant partners to facilitate long-term partnerships with schools and the surrounding communities. The following tenants at Lakeside MarketPlace have already followed in North American’s footsteps by getting involved with area schools:
Cingular Wireless (Acworth Elementary School)
OfficeMax (Frey Elementary)
Party America (Frey Elementary)
Ross Dress for Less
Supercuts (Frey Elementary and Ford Elementary)
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