Commercial Roof Repair in Athens, GA

In a historic vote on Tuesday, the Athens-Clarke County Commission approved a $650 million redevelopment plan for the Georgia Square Mall. At 70 acres, the development will be the largest in Athens' history.

The decision follows years of planning on how best to revive the area around the dying mall. After several months of delays, votes and drafting, the mayor and commission unanimously moved forward on the redevelopment project.

Reaching an agreement

The developers behind the 90-page proposed construction plan are the Leaven Group, a firm headed up by local developer Mark Jennings, and W&A Engineering, a civil engineering firm based in Athens. But the project as a whole has required careful coordination between many more government and private entities.

For starters, there was the community benefits agreement, which outlines which amenities the Leaven Group will create in exchange for TAD funding. The commission finally ironed out the full details of that plan on Tuesday after tabling the vote for several weeks.

The construction plan also needed a stamp of approval from the Clarke County Board of Education, which voted it forward 3-2 on Monday night.

Previous reporting:Plans in flux to redevelop Georgia Square Mall; Athens officials seek to get past hurdles

Tax allocation districts

The move also marks the first time Athens-Clarke County has used a tax allocation district (TAD) for a project of this magnitude. The commission passed legislation making TADs possible back in 2008, but didn't create any until 2020, when Athens-Clarke Mayor Kelly Girtz spearheaded an effort to designate six TADs throughout Athens.

When an area is redeveloped, property taxes increase. TADs allow local governments to earmark that future revenue to finance the costs of redevelopment. This subsidy makes blighted areas, which private developers see as riskier and more expensive to rebuild, more attractive. Athens lawmakers were inspired by the use of TADs in Atlanta and other large cities to generate funding for struggling areas.

Officials say that over the next 30 years, the redeveloped Georgia Square Mall will generate $189 million in new property tax. That revenue will be reinvested in the mall site in the form of what the Leaven Group and Athens-Clarke County calls "community benefits."

What happens now?

The redevelopment team is following an ambitious timeline. Over the next five to six years, it plans to demolish two-thirds of the mall. Some structures, like the Belk, will be left intact.

Those slated for demolition will be replaced with 70,000 square feet of commercial real estate plus 1,200 apartments, townhouses and senior living spaces. 10% of apartments, or 99 in total, will qualify as low-income housing, specifically earmarked for those making 60% of the area median income. The Leaven Group also agreed to reduce the rent price of 14,000 square feet of commercial space for Clarke County School District, the Boys and Girls Club, and minority- and women-owned businesses.

Other TAD-funded amenities will include walking and biking trails, 19 acres of greenspace, fixing the stormwater drainage system, and creating a bus station on Atlanta Highway.

Nation’s Leading Upscale Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch Restaurant Brand Continues Nationwide Expansion with Opening of Newest Location in Georgia

Athens, GA (RestaurantNews.com) Another Broken Egg Cafe is ushering in an unmatched, exceptional brunch experience to those who love Southern-inspired food and amazing customer service in the Classic City with the opening of its newest location in Athens, Georgia.

Known for its Southern-inspired menu offerings with innovative twists and signature cocktails, Another Broken Egg Cafe is situated at 2375 West Broad Street, only a couple of miles from the University of Georgia campus. This is the brand’s 84th location nationwide, and eighth location in the state.

Offerings at the Athens location include core menu items with broad fan appeal like the Shrimp ‘N Grits, Chicken & Waffles, Lobster and Brie Omelet, Huevos Rancheros, Southern Chicken Sandwich and more. In addition, kids can enjoy classic breakfast offerings including Chocolate Chip Pancakes with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, the French Toast Sampler or the Little Rooster (scrambled egg, fresh seasonal fruit, English muffin and baked bacon). The new location also features an enticing and modernized environment where gourmet food and beverages – including a full bar with signature cocktails, mimosas and bloody marys – come together to create a highly memorable dining experience for all.

“Our Athens cafe has been carefully curated to elevate the brunch experience for guests, and we’re thrilled to deliver that experience to Classic City residents and UGA students alike,” said Paul Macaluso, CEO and President of Another Broken Egg Cafe. “We’re confident that those who choose to dine in or takeout at the new restaurant will be more than pleased with our upscale breakfast, brunch and lunch menu offerings.”

For guests on-the-go, Another Broken Egg Cafe offers online ordering with convenient takeout and delivery options to the surrounding community, as well as small and large group catering.

Operating between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., Another Broken Egg Cafe showcases chef-inspired dishes that celebrate the indulgence of the breakfast and brunch experience through the finest, high-quality ingredients and hand-crafted cocktails. In addition to its signature Southern-inspired cuisine, the brand boasts a diverse menu that is inclusive of gluten-friendly, vegetarian and other dietary restrictions.

For more information about Another Broken Egg Cafe Athens visit: https://anotherbrokenegg.com/athens-ga.

About Another Broken Egg Cafe

Another Broken Egg Cafe of America Franchising, LLC (Another Broken Egg Cafe®) is an upscale breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant that specializes in award-winning, Southern-inspired menu options with innovative twists and signature cocktails. Celebrating indulgence through the finest, high-quality ingredients, the brand is one of the fastest-growing, daytime-only franchised concepts in the country, with more than 80 locations in 15 states and dozens more in development. With over 26 years of experience in the daytime cafe category, the company was named a “Top Food Franchise” by Entrepreneur Magazine and Franchise Business Review in 2022. The brand is well-positioned for expansive growth after implementing several new full bar and culinary initiatives designed to drive incremental sales and increase profits for individual cafes.

Safety experts are warning families to stay vigilant after nurses spotted a counterfeit car seat in a local hospital.

ATHENS, Ga. — Car seats are expensive and one of the most important purchases parents make for their child. But safety experts are warning families to stay vigilant after nurses spotted a counterfeit car seat in a local hospital.

"I had a baby I needed to do a car seat test on and the seat had a different emblem than I had ever seen before,' Rebekah Zech, a NICU nurse at Piedmont Athens Regional, told 11Alive News. "It caught my attention and I felt like something might be going on here."

The seat was gifted to the mother, Zech explained, and retailed for around $400 online. But after nurses compared the car seat to a legitimate one, the team noticed important features were missing.

"I couldn't find a model, an expiration date, any safety info on crash testing," she said.

The car seat turned out to be a fake version of a popular brand. Zech and the team at Piedmont Athens Regional are now warning parents and hospital staff to be on the lookout.

"Just like you can buy an off market purse, there are these options out there," Rebecca Rogers, a NICU nurse and car seat technician, said.

However, the concern over knock off car seats and kids' safety is not just in Athens.

"I see them (fake or counterfeit car seats) quite often here at Egleston," Amber Woody, a child passenger safety specialist at children's healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life, confirmed.

The Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety also said its team recently replaced several fake seats in the Augusta and Savannah areas.

The warning is eye-opening to parents like Kristine Schenk, who is expecting a baby girl and recently visited Piedmont Athens for a car seat safety check.

"It's kind of terrifying because even when you do your research," Schenk said. "It's still possible you can buy a counterfeit car seat."

"The main thing I would say is to be cautious from buying from online sites that allow third party vendors, such as Amazon and Walmart," Woody said. "Look for well-known brand names. There should be a sticker stating that the car seat complies with FMVSS 213. Also, if there is a lack of stickers with instructions or no chest clip that raises some red flags."

April Dorsett, Safe Kids coordinator at Piedmont Athens, said it's also important you know the origin of your seat and complete the registration to be aware of any recalls. There are also resources for parents who may be unsure whether their child's car seat meets federal standards.

"As a technician, when we're registering the seat, that's the first thing we're doing, but as a parent, if you're unsure, contact us and make sure everything is legit," she added.

Zech and Rogers are just relieved they detected the fake seat before it was too late.

"Because I have no idea what would have happened to that seat if they were in a crash," Zech said, "And ultimately what would have happened to their baby."

For more information or to find a car seat technician in your area, visit Safe Kids Georgia's Car Seat Safety Guide.

When former Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken left to go work for the Baltimore Ravens, most were able to safely assume that Mike Bobo was the man for the job in Athens.

A former Georgia quarterback, quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, Bobo was promoted to run the offense in February shortly after Monken’s departure.

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Smart said he first began thinking about Monken’s replacement around the time of the national title game.

“Immediately after the game you’re thinking, ‘Well, if I lose this guy, who am I hiring?’ I was very comfortable at that point that if we lost Todd and he decided to go back to the NFL — because that’s the only thing I felt like he would leave for — that I would go with Mike because I felt very comfortable with his leadership in the room,” Smart said.

“I asked Monken his opinion [when he was] leaving what he thought, and I thought it was important to keep that dynamic in the room set. We weren’t losing multiple coaches.”

For Smart, who is a former teammate and colleague of Bobo, the decision looked like a no-brainer. Bobo was already on the UGA staff. He joined Smart in Athens ahead of the 2022 season as an offensive analyst after spending one year at Auburn.

Bobo built some fantastic offenses while at Georgia under Mark Richt. High scoring offenses that featured Matthew Stafford, Aaron Murray, Todd Gurley and AJ Green. Bobo’s final season in Athens, 2014, Georgia’s offense set a school record averaging 41.3 points per game. Monken came close to breaking that record last season, with his offense averaging 41.1 points per game.

Bobo left Georgia to become head coach at Colorado State following the 2014 season. He would remain with the Rams until 2019 before becoming offensive coordinator for South Carolina and then Auburn.

“I think Mike has grown a lot since he went out to Colorado State from the time that he spent here,” Smart continued.

“I went against him at South Carolina. I went against him at Auburn, which gave me ultimate confidence that he would get this job done. We played them with probably the most talented defense that I’ve been a part of, and they were on a 16-play drive there at Auburn against us in the opening drive of the game. Just have got a lot of confidence in his leadership skills and what he will be able to do offensively.”

Georgia running back Kendall Milton is familiar with Bobo’s past work at Georgia and beyond the hedges. Bobo’s offenses have produced some great running backs, including Gurley, who Georgia never shied away from giving the ball.

ATHENS, Ga. -- The day before quarterback Stetson Bennett was scheduled to work out in front of NFL scouts and coaches at Georgia's pro day on Wednesday, the Bulldogs started the process of trying to replace the quarterback who led them to back-to-back College Football Playoff national championships.

As Georgia opened spring practice Tuesday, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said junior Carson Beck and sophomore Brock Vandagriff would share snaps with the No. 1 offense, while freshman Gunner Stockton is also in the mix.

The Bulldogs will also be working under new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who replaced Todd Monken, who left to become the Ravens' offensive coordinator. Bobo, a former Georgia quarterback, ran the UGA offense under former coach Mark Richt.

"We think we have three really good quarterbacks, and I'm really excited about all three of those guys to grow and get better," Smart said. "I do look forward to seeing Carson and Brock getting a lot of that action. They'll both rep with the ones. As far as how much, that'll play itself out over the course of the spring. Gunner's come a long way. I'm excited to see what those guys can do. They've been excited about meeting and doing things with Coach Bobo and the offensive staff. I'm excited to see those guys at practice."

Beck, from Jacksonville, Florida, was Bennett's backup last season. He has attempted 58 passes in the past three seasons. Beck was the No. 14 quarterback and No. 234 prospect overall in the 2020 ESPN 300.

Vandagriff, who played at Prince Avenue Christian School in Athens, attempted three passes the past two seasons. He was the No. 6 pocket passer and No. 38 prospect overall in the 2021 ESPN 300.

Stockton redshirted last season and ran Georgia's scout team. He set Georgia state records in career passing touchdowns (177), passing yards (13,652) and rushing touchdowns (77) during four years at Rabun County High School.

The general consensus among Georgia football followers is that Beck has the strongest arm, while Vandagriff is the best athlete. Smart wasn't ready to make that assumption.

"I think it's hard to say who has a stronger arm," Smart said. "I think those guys would argue about who has a stronger arm. I don't honestly know who has a stronger arm just from what we've seen in the past. You've got to see those guys play in game action. I think they've both got really good pocket presence."

Smart said Vandagriff gained about 15 pounds in the offseason, while Beck lost weight to get more mobile.

"I don't think people give Carson enough credit for being a good athlete," Smart said. "He was a really good baseball player. He has good movement skills. He's not going to run faster than Stetson. I think Brock is a good athlete. He can see the field. Carson has probably played a little more, but both of those guys are good. Look, I wouldn't count Gunner dropping out of this thing. This kid is smart and talented."

Smart said five players would miss spring practice because of injuries: safety Dan Jackson (foot), offensive lineman Josh Miller (shoulder), running back Andrew Paul (knee) and linebackers Jalon Walker (shoulder) and Marvin Jones Jr. (shoulder).