Decide DeKalb approves a $3M grant to transform 90,000 sq ft of vacant space, bring in 4 national tenants, and restore local grocery access.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — For years, the intersection of Memorial Drive and Columbia Drive was defined by the steady visual anchor of the Kroger logo. Since the exit of its long-time anchor tenant, Belvedere Plaza has begun to lose its local charm, and a massive empty white space on the pylon sign has stood as a symbolic reminder of the commercial gap.
Now, a major public-private investment effort aims to restore the iconic shopping center into a vibrant neighborhood destination through the upcoming Belvedere Plaza revitalization.
The Decide DeKalb Development Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved a $3 million Tax Allocation District (TAD) Urban Renewal Fund grant to catalyze a $24.3 million redevelopment project at the 26.3-acre Belvedere Park hub located at 3507 Memorial Drive.
Spearheaded by commercial real estate developer Hutton, the project aims to transform approximately 89,780 square feet of vacant retail space and bring four new national retail tenants to the corridor.
Repositioning the Post-Kroger Anchor Space
The departure of Kroger left a significant gap in essential retail and fresh grocery access for surrounding Belvedere Park and South DeKalb residents. Under the Belvedere Plaza revitalization plan, the developer will subdivide the large, vacant anchor box—re-envisioning the vast empty white space on the marquee where Kroger was once advertised—into three separate commercial units measuring approximately 9,000, 30,600, and 26,000 square feet.
In addition, an adjacent vacant space within the shopping center will be converted into a new 24,180-square-foot full-service grocery store. As a condition of the $3 million TAD grant award, Hutton is required to make commercially reasonable efforts to secure a full-service grocer as one of the four new anchor tenants.
Key Property Enhancements Include:
- Facade & Architectural Improvements: Modernizing the exterior look across the 1950s-era strip center.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Structural roof repairs, site enhancements, and complete parking lot resurfacing.
- Tenant Space Buildouts: Custom interior renovations to accommodate incoming national retailers.
Economic Impact and Timeline for Memorial Drive
The project advances the primary goals of the Avondale/Columbia Drive Tax Allocation District, which was established in 2004 to eliminate commercial blight, expand the county tax base, and stimulate long-term private investment along Memorial Drive.
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson noted that the investment represents a progressive, intentional effort to re-energize a critical corridor.
“By leveraging public resources to encourage substantial private investment, we are helping create the conditions for long-term economic vitality while improving access to services and amenities that residents deserve,” Cochran-Johnson said.
The $24.3 million project is expected to create at least 250 construction jobs and 100 permanent retail jobs upon completion. Construction is slated to begin in late 2026 following permitting and financial closings, with project completion expected in spring 2027 and tenant openings occurring throughout 2027.