Georgia developer says Phenix City project to fill retail void, create jobs and taxes

The new restaurant and commercial development coming to Phenix City will create jobs and fill a retail void in the community, the project’s developer told the Ledger-Enquirer.

Outback Steakhouse, Starbucks, Chipotle, Valvoline and Peachtree Immediate Care are tenants of the upcoming 11.6 acre development launched by the real estate development firm Lindstrom & Company.

Located off Highway 280, near the Waffle House and ALDI, the development will include a mix of well-known brands and essential services to Phenix City, according to a July 25 news release.

“Hopefully it attracts more quality retailers for the city, whether we try to do something else or other developers step in to see the great opportunities that Phenix City has available,” Lindstrom & Company founder Scott Linstrom told the Ledger-Enquirer.

The Ledger-Enquirer spoke with Lindstrom about the importance of this project and what Phenix City residents can expect.

Lindstrom’s responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Why is real estate development important to you?

Started in real estate development in 1993 with a small boutique company specializing in hotel development. I have been in the retail sector of the industry since 2000.

I’m not stuck doing the same thing every single day. In real estate development, you have to wear so many different hats through the whole process — real estate, finance, attorney, development, design, engineering and construction.

Am I an expert in all these fields? No. I always say I’m a jack of all trades and master of none. But I have to know enough to keep me from getting in trouble. It’s different every day.

How did you decide to launch this development in Phenix City?

We researched the entire Columbus, GA, metropolitan statistical area and noted that there was a void in the Phenix City market for a lot of regional and national retailers. If you drew a square around Columbus and Phenix City, that northwest portion of the square had Home Depot, a super Walmart and Chick-fil-A. It was lacking other retailers for the overall market.

Also, we reached out to Phenix City Economic Development to discuss the project and they and the city were very welcoming to what we were proposing.

Not every municipality wants to develop. Some are against development. So meeting with Shaun Culligan (economic development manager), I knew that Phenix City was going to be a partner.

Why is this development important for Phenix City?

The development will bring quality retailers and restaurants to Phenix City.

Being part of projects like this is a good feeling, knowing that we’ve done something good for the community in the way of creating jobs, giving good tenants and places for people to eat and shop.

And to know that the city has a benefit too because they’re reaping the reward of the additional sales tax revenue off those businesses. So, it’s rewarding to help contribute to the community.

What should people expect for future tenant announcements?

We have a good tenant line for the project. Outside of the retailers already announced, we really don’t have a whole lot left.

We still have 3,600 square feet available for lease. We expect activity to pick up on that remaining space now that people see it’s under construction.

When will businesses start opening?

We expect the announced retailers and restaurants to begin opening for business late 2nd quarter 2024.