From the September issue of the Decatur Focus…

We hoped we could report on a new development for the Bank of America site, Commerce Drive at Clairemont Avenue, but the project has been postponed while negotiations continue with the bank. This key gateway site has long been on our wish list for a redevelopment that would use the land more effectively than the current suburban-style bank branch and asphalt surface parking lot.

The proposed mixed-use development would have brought much-needed rental apartments to downtown, created a more attractive gateway to the downtown district and helped frame Commerce Drive much the same way as the Artisan did a few blocks to the west. We will continue to work on the project and hope that the bank will agree to plans to relocate into a temporary facility on the site to allow the development to move forward.

We’ve received word that the much discussed Bank of America apartment project along Commerce between Church Street and Clairemont Ave has been taken off the agenda for tomorrow night.

According to sources, the delay is due to ongoing negotiations between the developer and the bank on where to locate a temporary operating center, so expect to see it back on the agenda soon.