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McDONOUGH, GA-The Atlanta Regional Commission has issued a final report approving North American Properties, Inc. plans to build South Point, a regional shopping center. The 70-acre mixed-use development will consist of 570,000 sf of retail space, six outparcels and 100 residential units. The projected total value of the project is $100 million.The proposal for the 630,000-sf mixed-use project will now move through the city's approval process, which includes a vote by the McDonough City Council slated for Nov. 21. In a statement, Mayor Richard Craig says that the project is "exactly what the [city] envisioned" for the site located at the intersection of Interstate 75 and Georgia Highway 20.Over the past few years, the project has gone through several revisions, at one point being downsized from 1.2-million-sf. The residential component has also been considered in different forms and sizes. "Going back two or three years ago, the project was originally conceived to have a residential component," Jeff Pape, vice president of predevelopment for North American, tells GlobeSt.com. "The residential component has been in and out and changed size. The residential we have in the mixed-use development now will be a small part of a larger project."He adds that North American sees South Point as a catalyst for development of more residential and office space in the surrounding area.Earlier this month, ARC released a preliminary report stating that the Cincinnati-based developer's plans did not meet ARC's own development guidelines, as GlobeSt.com previously reported. Through review processes, the commission, along with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, noted some concerns with the plans for the project, and North American and the city worked to address those concerns, Pape tells GlobeSt.com. He cites both agencies with helping to identify the development needs in the area.Construction on South Point will begin upon zoning approval. Store openings are expected to begin in spring 2007, according to North American. Simon Property Group Inc of Indianapolis and Cousins Properties of Atlanta maintain an equity partnership in the project with North American as the lead developer. South Point will create a regional shopping and dining destination with a "Main Street"appeal and architecture that incorporates design elements from the City of McDonough'shistoric Downtown Square, according to North American. The 570,000 sf of retail will feature a combination of department stores, destination merchants and restaurants. Kohl's and J.C. Penney approved the project with final negotiations currently under way with eight additional anchor stores. Dillard's previously approved the project and market, however, it will not be locating at South Point due to site limitations. No rental rates were released.The development with join several other new projects in the area. Villas at South Point is a 264-unit multifamily development under construction adjacent to South Point on Georgia Highway 20. Avalon is 2,250-unit residential development south of South Point on Georgia Highway 20, and Westridge is a 700-acre Planned Unit Development west of South Point also o n Georgia Highway 20. In addition, an unknown amount of office space is slated to rise to the east.