The Outlet Mall of Georgia at Augusta to break ground in December

Augusta, Georgia — Ben Carter Enterprises will break ground in December on the Outlet Mall of Georgia at Augusta, an 800,000-sq.-ft. fashion outlet mall slated to open in spring 2016.

Ben Carter’s announcement comes on the heels of a key land agreement reached with the owners of the Georgia Theatre Co., who agreed to reposition their theatre to accommodate the mall.

The Outlet Mall of Georgia at Augusta will feature top-tier retailers, restaurants, hotels and other retail uses. Ben Carter has contracted to acquire 70 acres at I-20 and Riverwatch Parkway for the development, which when combined with the existing Costco and Cabela's locations and the Riverwatch Cinemas, will top 1 million sq. ft.

“We are attracted to Augusta and the regional trade area because it's home to nearly 2 million people, and its location has the ability to

draw visitors and shoppers from Columbia, South Carolina, to the east,and Greene County, Lake Oconee and The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, ReynoldsPlantation to the west,” said Ben Carter, founder of Ben CarterEnterprises. “The area is home to scores of single-family homes alongthe lake and golf courses and equestrian-related developments.”

Ben Carter entered into a real estate transaction with the GeorgiaTheatre Co. that will result in Georgia Theatre building its newGTX at a different location within the Outlet Mall property. The landdeal frees up a complete site where Ben Carter can build the fashionoutlet mall.

The new theater will feature digital projection with stereo sound,spacious seating and a full-service restaurant. It will also offer alarge-format presentation auditorium with an 80-ft.-wide, four-storyscreen, seating about 300 people. The theatre will break ground latethis year and open in advance of the mall in the fall of 2015.

Ben Carter Enterprises currently is pre-leasing retail spaces andmarketing land for sale for additional development and expects to closeon tracts by December of this year.