Film studios, restaurants, theater, retail, offices, 121 residential units planned for 105 acres along Hwy. 74
Update – July 12: The original story noted project plans which included apartments and townhomes. Project representative Nathan Dockery subsequently stated that, “The DRI (development of regional impact) document for our project inaccurately refers to our Loft Residences as ‘Apartments.’ We don’t want anyone to be confused thinking that an apartment complex is planned, as it is not, and the miscommunication has been clarified with the state, county, and city.”
Original story: Originally approved last year as the Founders Studio project along Ga. Highway 74 in Tyrone, plans have transformed the project into the “Founders District” development, a studio and mixed-use development now under state review. Plans include film studios, retail, office, restaurants, residential and a cinema.
Above, the Founders District studio and mixed-use project along Ga. Highway 74 in Tyrone is currently in the state DRI process. The project is expected to go before the Tyrone Town Council for consideration late summer or fall. Graphic/Founders District.
Founders is currently going through the DRI (development of regional impact) process with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA). Peachtree City-based Dockery Group owner and Founders principal Nathan Dockery said that process should be completed, and the proposal presented, to the Tyrone Town Council in late summer or early fall.
The current 105-acre mixed-use development, located along the east side of Ga. Highway 74 and situated between Jenkins Road and Sandy Creek Road, is expected to include 462,500 sq. ft. of film studios, 76,500 sq. ft. of office space, 121 residential units, 183,000 sq. ft. of retail, 35,000 sq. ft. of restaurant space and 80 hotel rooms.
The studio portion of the development will be situated near Jenkins Road while the mixed-use portion of the development will be nearer Sandy Creek Road.
Build-out for the development is expected by 2022.
Once completed, the development is expected to generate 15,396 vehicle trips per day, according to the DRI document. The proposal includes five driveways along Hwy. 74, with one driveway on Jenkins Road and another on Sandy Creek Road.
The studio portion of the development was approved by the Tyrone Town Council in summer 2017. The mixed-use portion of the development was added since that time and, assuming DRI approval, will go back before the Town Council for consideration in late summer or early fall.
Things changed since the original Founders Studios development was approved, leading to the desire to proceed with the mixed-use portion of the overall development. Founders Communications Manager Debbie Reynolds said the DRI was triggered because the project nearly doubled in size from the original plan.
“Because of the overwhelming response and interest in the mixed-use portion of the development, the public space is now being included in Phase 1 of the development,” Reynolds said. “The facility as a whole, which includes both the studio lot and the accompanying mixed-use development is now being called ‘The Founders District.’ The publicly accessible mixed-use space will consist of retail, dining, and residential space as well as providing an experiential opportunity for the community to interact with the film industry. The latter to be accomplished with a boutique cinema and other film-related, activity-driven businesses.”
Commenting on the Founders District development, Founders Studios Vice-President of Marketing Mark Sunderland said, “In addition to its need for infrastructure, part of what our Georgia film industry is missing is the sense of ‘magic.’ Hollywood has a sign, the Chinese Theater, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the incredible studio tours on the major lots. Georgia needs a place to experience our industry in a similar way, but something true to our culture. The Founders District is our answer to that need.”
President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Chris Clark in referencing the large Founders District project said, “The Founders development is another great step forward in building the infrastructure our state needs to provide stability to the film Industry in Georgia. The Georgia Chamber is proud to welcome Founders to our community.”
