CK Capital unveiled plans Wednesday to redevelop the site of a former concrete pipe plant adjacent to downtown Watkinsville, transforming it into 15 South, a new mixed-use development that would enhance the community’s footprint through a healthy, diverse mixture of residential, commercial and office usage.

“15 South aims to be something that adds to the already rich legacy of community in Watkinsville, revitalizing this important piece of property and enhancing its downtown connectivity,” said Chad Keller, president of CK Capital. “Watkinsville is one of the best small towns in America, and 15 South will add to its charm by being a place where people can come together. It represents a multi-million dollar investment in responsible growth, creating new jobs for the community, offering new amenities for locals and providing diverse, attainable housing options for working, middle-class residents.”

15 South will feature a blend of residential units, including 203 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, 24 townhomes and 6 stand-alone cottages. In a presentation to the Watkinsville City Council, Keller committed to working with local partners to allocate a portion of the residential units at a more cost- effective price point to support the community’s public servants and growing middle-class population.

Central to the vision of 15 South is the connectivity the development will offer to the community through a series of sidewalks that link to Main Street, as well as direct access to the proposed rail-trail project linking Oconee County and Athens-Clarke County. 15 South will feature ample avenues for pedestrians and cyclists, promoting a healthy mixture of transportation opportunities that interconnect the expanding downtown core.

The development also will feature the return of a grocery store to downtown Watkinsville with Oconee Made, a locally-owned boutique grocery that will feature locally-sourced produce, meats and other goods. Additional retail spaces will be located on the ground floor of different residential buildings throughout the 16-acre project.

Keller also intends to donate a two-acre parcel of property located on Main Street to a non-profit organization to house a relocated historic home. CK Capital will work closely with the local government and a historic preservation organization to safely move the building and renovate it, revitalizing one of the community’s oldest homes right on its primary thoroughfare.

In addition to 15 South, Keller also is the primary developer of Wisteria Ridge, the first multi-family project for Watkinsville, and the founder and owner of Precision Landscaping.

Interested media can access images of 15 South here.