A River Forest developer has filed plans to create a jaw-dropping $1.3 billion development along I-75 beginning just across the Monroe-Lamar county line from High Falls Park Road north to High Falls Road and Van Mar Park. A first hearing on a rezoning the project has requested is set for Lamar County’s planning commission at 6 p.m. on Oct. 3.
Developer Doug Adams, who lives in River Forest, is thought to be behind the project. The development, known as Legacy 75 Trade Center, will utilize virtually all of the frontage along the west side of the interstate in Lamar County.
The northern entrance will be through Van Mar Park adjacent to the Peterbilt operation with a road winding all the way to High Falls Park Road. Some 1,112 acres will have to be rezoned. Lamar County zoning director Anita Buice said rezoning should not be an issue because the I-75 corridor has long been designated for industrial development in the county’s comprehensive plans and remained so in the newest iteration completed earlier this year. Buice, who used to Monroe County manager, said she has filed Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) reports with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs regarding the project.
Monroe County commissioner George Emami, whose district abuts the proposed development, said he’s torn about the project.
“The economic game plan for Georgia is to increase our importing capabilities from the Port in Savannah,” said Emami. “In order to do that, we have to increase the warehouse capability within logistical proximity of the port. As someone who was taught to be a team player, it makes sense that Middle Georgia is an attractive location to developers for that use. However, as a resident of Monroe County, I feel strongly that we (as a county) have to determine what is the highest and best use of OUR property that is used for industry. I’m a strong proponent of supporting manufacturing but not warehouses. The latter produce a nice range of jobs, and the potential for sales tax revenue. It’s far better to have companies be corporate citizens and benefactors of our county. That doesn’t really happen with warehouse developments.”
Approximately 981 acres will be used for industrial/warehousing space with up to 19 million square feet of buildings proposed.
Some 350 acres are designated for a possible rock quarry. Developments of this size often create a quarry just to provide the rock needed for construction.
Approximately 18 acres will be set aside along the edge of High Falls Lake for agricultural/residential on the east side of the interstate. Another 57 acres just south of Buck Creek on the east side of the interstate is designated for high density residential with up to 900 units. Both those parcels will be impacted by the future trucks only lanes along the interstate and billboards.
On the south end of the project at High Falls Park Road, 57 acres will be developed for commercial use with up to 500,000 square feet of buildings.
The project also includes 464 acres in Monroe County on the southeast corner of the intersection of I-75 and High Falls Park Road.
High Falls 75, LLC bought the Monroe acreage and 468 acres in Lamar County in March 2023 for $7.8 million. Over the past year, the developers acquired another 468 acres in Lamar near High Falls Road.
High Falls 75, LLC was formed in March 2023 just prior to the first purchase. Its registered agent is Stockbridge attorney Adam Printz. Printz is the registered agent for 68 companies. HIs listing of clients on the Secretary of State’s corporations webpage is three pages long.
The same developer is building out a huge project on the northeast side of the Griffin-Jackson exit off the interstate in Butts County.
The estimated value of the Lamar portion of the development upon buildout is $1.37 billion, according to the DRI. Estimated annual tax revenue for Lamar County upon completion is $21.2 million again according to the DRI.
Buice explained that she filed two DRIs. The first, filed Wednesday is superseded by the second, filed Thursday, which includes the quarry.
Butts County will provide water and sewer for the project. The sewerage alone is expected to be 1.73 million gallons per day. It is also expected to create 53,750 tons of solid waste annually.
Buice understands there will be concerns about the project but noted the I-75 corridor is the ideal place for such growth.
“We have detailed conceptual plans here at our office and we welcome folks to come by, view them and ask any questions they would like,” Buice said.
Lamar’s Joint Planning Commission will host the first public hearing at 6 p.m. on Oct. 3. Lamar commissioners will host the second public hearing at 6 p.m. on Oct. 15. Both hearings will be held at the County Administrative Building located at 790 Veterans Parkway, Barnesville GA 30204. To view the full application, stop by Lamar County Planning and Community Development at 790 Veterans Parkway, Barnesville. If you have questions, call 770-358-5364.
