Ellington

Site work on a 100-acre development off Apison Pike called Collegedale Station is expected to begin within the next 30 days, according to Russell Medwyk, managing partner of North American Development Group, which owns the property.

Once that preliminary work, which will include sewer implementation, on-site road construction and the completion of other necessary infrastructure is finished, construction of a 248-unit apartment complex near the Summit of Softball Complex will begin.

“We’re most looking forward to providing luxury and convenience within a well-planned and well-thought-out community,” said Timothy Snook, a representative of The Synergy Groups, which is constructing the apartment complex.

He describes it as a “class A luxury apartment development” that will include a fitness center, resort-style pool, pet park, walking trails, a car care center, wireless hot spots and a gated entryway.

Snook estimates the project will be completed by the summer of 2013, and he expects it to fill a real need in the current East Hamilton housing market, even in light of the introduction of other apartment complexes in the area.

“Right now there is a real need for the residential component in the area due to job growth,” he said. “The market right now is well underserved.”

The apartment complex’s 17 acres will be part of the larger Collegedale Station project, which will eventually house retail and dining options, banks, at least one hotel and office space. According to Medwyk, some retail construction may take place alongside the building of the apartment complex, but much of it will follow the widening of Apison Pike.

“Start to finish, it will probably take us around five years to complete this project,” he said. “With this project there is more than 1 million square feet of development. It’s like building another Hamilton Place, so it’s going to take time, because we have a lot of moving parts and people involved.”

One of the goals with this project, Medwyk said, is giving Collegedale a sense of place and a town center where people can congregate.

“Right now in Collegedale there are no hotels, no places you could take a client for a business lunch, no place for Volkswagen executives to hold a leadership meeting,” he said. “The newest addition to the city is the Walmart, and the people don’t really have anything to call their own. Our goal is to create a city center, a fully integrated development that the community can be proud of.”

Medwyk said at this point he does not have any firm leasing agreements with retailers, but he is currently in talks with other potential tenants. According to its website, some of North American Development Group’s retail and industry partners currently include Bank of America, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Publix, Bed Bath and Beyond and Ikea.

During its business history the group has been active in the development, acquisition, redevelopment and management of more than 200 shopping centers. However, Medwyk said this latest project will not be a typical shopping center. The entire planned community will be linked with greenways and filled with large open spaces that will preserve the current character of the landscape of the property and be conducive to bike and foot travel, he said.

“The only time you’ll need a car is when you go visit your mom,” said Snook.

For more information about North American Development Group visit www.nadg.com.

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