AEC Inc. is proud to be a part of the Myrtle Terraces project in Gainsville, Georgia, which received the 22nd annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award (Senior Housing catergory), honoring the most outstanding Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties nationwide. This project is one of the nearly 3 million Housing Credit properties across America which make up the majority of affordable rental houses. The award was presented at the Rayburn House Congressional Office Building in Washington, D.C. on June 8th, 2016, with members of Congress in attendance.  

Myrtle Terraces is a senior living facility with 84 apartments, a community garden, a fitness center, activity/game rooms, a landscaped courtyard with a water feature, a grilling area, and a picnic area, as well as many other amenities. AEC teamed up with Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Affordable Equity Partners Inc., the City of Gainesville,  Fairway Construction Co., and Beverly J. Searles Foundation to bring the project to life.  AEC was responsible for the civil engineering and landscape architecture of the project. 

Construction has begun on the new Mountain Walk mixed use development in Cobb County.  The project includes 54 townhomes, 8,000 square feet of office and AEC was able to work around and greatly enhance the existing Mountain Biscuits Restaurant.

The initial zoning plan showed the existing restaurant to be removed, but after gaining the input from the surrounding residents it became clear that all efforts needed to be made to preserve Mountain Biscuit.  The developer, Cornerstone Associates, and AEC worked closely with surrounding residents, the Cobb County Staff and Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell to rework the design to preserve the existing Mountain Biscuits Restaurant.

In addition to preserving the restaurant, the design team was able to enhance the access by introducing a dedicated left turn lane, adding additional asphalt parking for the restaurant and enhancing the landscape along the frontage of Old Highway 41.  So the next time you are in the area of Historic Kennesaw Mountain, stop in and have one of the best meals in Cobb County!

Gainesville, Georgia’s newest independent senior living community has celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting this past Friday at Myrtle Terraces.  Speakers included members from the Beverly J. Searles Foundation, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the City of Gainesville, Brenau University, Affordable Equity Partners, Inc., Fairway Construction Company, and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.  The facility touts 84 apartments including one- and two-bedrooms, with amenities including a landscaped courtyard, a library, game room, beauty salon, club room, and more.  Mrytle Terraces has also partnered with the nearby Brenau University, where students in applicable fields will work with the residents and gain practical knowledge.  AEC worked in collaboration with the Beverly J. Searles Foundation to provide landscape architecture, site planning, and civil engineering construction plans for the residential development project and the adjacent city park.

AEC had the privilege to work on this project in Alpharetta as the Engineer and Landscape Architect.  It is a great facility and an exciting new way to play golf...enjoy!

From the AJC article:"The new Topgolf entertainment complex that opened in Alpharetta in May is basically an upscale sports bar with more than 200 TVs and a menu ranging from sliders to Southern staples like shrimp and grits. It’s also a nightclub where you can hit golf balls embedded with microchips in a driving range dotted with targets.

After you sign up for a $5 membership, the high-tech golf balls know who you are and keep track of the score you accumulate during your visits. Each section of the target has a reader that detects the microchip in your ball, and that’s how you score points.

Topgolf offers leagues and tournaments, but nongolfers also are encouraged to come out and soak up the party atmosphere. On weekends you will find serious golfers working on their game, but at night singles, couples and groups come out to play and be seen. Weekdays, you find office workers stopping by on their lunch hours and after work to hit a few. Parents can register children for the free Kidszone.

Topgolf charges by the hour, at prices ranging from $25 to $45, depending on the time of day. It’s half-price Mondays-Thursdays.

Even with more than 100 hitting bays on three levels, golfers sometimes will find a wait on Friday and Saturday nights, but that gives you time to eat, drink and mingle with fellow members.

In July, Topgolf International Inc. announced plans for a second metro area location about 3 miles from Atlantic Station at 1600 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. N.W., Atlanta.

Topgolf, 10900 Westside Parkway, Alpharetta. One-time $5 membership. Fee to hit balls is $25-$45 per hour. Hours vary; check the website. topgolf.com."

See the full article for AJC subscribers HERE.