Who We Are
- A Northeast Georgia based construction and real estate development group that strives to develop better communities and in turn a better quality of life.
- We are a Northeast GA based construction and real estate development group.
- We strive to develop properties that enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve.
- We’re proud of our reputation for listening carefully to community priorities and balancing them with what’s practical and achievable.
- We have past and current projects in Habersham County.
The Duncan Bridge Project
Cook Construction and Real Estate proposes to develop a distinctive and attractive commercial development which could include grocery, retail, restaurants, medical and assisted living facilities for seniors. Recent market data shows that Habersham County and the surrounding areas are driving more than 15+ miles to spend money and are giving other communities more than $500 million annually for consumerism that are not provided here. Additionally, there are only 309 publicly known assisted living beds in the area, but there are more than 9,000 Habersham County residents over age 55. Each of the proposed uses will meet the minimums established by the City of Baldwin’s current development standards.
Concept Plan
We propose a distinctive and attractive commercial development which could include grocery, retail, restaurants, medical and assisted living facilities for seniors.
Proposed Rezoning
Six total parcels
The property shown is red is currently within the Baldwin City Limits
The proposed annexation is shown in yellow.
Annexation acreage: 88.4
Total acreage is 109.38
Comprehensive Plan 2025
- Vision Statement: Stakeholders and Citizen Participants: 1) develop State Route 365 as a Business/Industrial Corridor, preserving the historic character of the downtown area 2) create a “live, work and play” environment, 3) strong desire to enhance economic opportunities for all citizens by promoting business and industrial growth throughout the community that offers a mix of skilled/unskilled labor and professional management/employment opportunities. (2025 Comprehensive Plan, Page 10)
- Land Use Assessment: Issues and Opportunities: “It will be important for the City to accommodate more intensive commercial, industrial, or residential uses in the future to take advantage of continuing opportunities in certain corridors such as SR 365 and portions of 441. (2025 Comprehensive Plan, Page 16)
- Community Needs and Opportunities: Goal 4.Objective 4.1 By 2030, increase the number of industrial, commercial and retails businesses over 2025 by 7 percent. (2025 Comprehensive Plan, Page 14)
- Recommended Character Areas: SR 365 Business Corridor: …business related travel makes the corridor prime for developing commercial and industrial interests along the corridor. Baldwin could serve as a major hub for attracting and retaining business investments including major industries, corporate headquarters, and commercial/retail businesses” (2025 Comprehensive Plan, Page 32)
GAP Analysis
We conducted a GAP Analysis with Next Site.
- The trade area supports 146,992 residents, providing a substantial consumer base for retail and service uses.
- Population growth to 155,595 within five years strengthens long-term retail demand.
- The data supports additional warehouse, distribution, and large-format retail development in the area.
- Rezoning would allow the community to recapture substantial retail leakage currently flowing to surrounding markets.
- Warehouse-enabled retail uses would support local businesses, logistics efficiency, and job creation.
- The proposed zoning aligns with documented market demand and promotes long-term economic development and tax base growth.
SR 365 Corridor Study
Cook Construction and Real Estate has participated in two separate meetings with GDOT regarding this project and the proposed future intersection improvements. Although the Duncan Bridge Project is currently included in GDOT’s long-range improvement plans, Cook intends to work collaboratively with state and local municipalities to advance these improvements and help mitigate any potential impacts associated with the project. All proposed improvements will be designed and constructed in full compliance with current GDOT standards and requirements.
Public Benefits
- Expanded commercial tax digest.
- Economic Growth.
- Job Creation in the right area.
- Positions Baldwin and the SR 365 Highway Corridor as a hub for business and industry.
- Relieve tax burden on homeowners.
- Additional SPLOST revenue.
- Revenue Diversification: Local governments rely heavily on property taxes (often accounting for around 72% of local tax revenue). A strong commercial base, which can also generate significant sales tax revenue, helps broaden this base. This reduces the strain on homeowners who would otherwise bear a larger portion of the costs for public services like schools, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance.
- Higher Commercial Tax Rates: Commercial properties often have higher assessed values and sometimes attract different, potentially higher, tax rates compared to residential properties, which means they contribute more tax dollars per property to the community.
- Shared Burden: By attracting new businesses and development, the tax burden is spread out among more shoulders. As one official noted, “The more business we attract, the more shoulders there are to carry that [tax] burden”.
- Fiscal Stability: A mixed tax base offers more stability. During economic downturns that might affect one sector (e.g., residential housing values), revenue from the other (commercial/retail) can help maintain city services without drastic tax increases.
- Positive Fiscal Impact: When new commercial developments generate revenues that exceed the costs of the public services they require, the result is a positive fiscal impact, potentially allowing for tax reductions for existing taxpayers or funding for new community amenities.
If you have any additional questions email us at info@cookres.com or call us at 678-207-1500.