Mixed-use developments, which allow retail, office and residential space to coexist in the same area, have become a new trend in building in both urban and suburban locations. These live, work, play communities allow its inhabitants to be part of a stronger community with a distinct character, they aid in a city’s walkability and they can greatly reduce commute times.

Downtown Kennesaw will soon be home to metro Atlanta’s next mixed-use development, as Atlanta-based South City Partners plans to construct a new $38 million development at the corner of Main Street and Watts Drive.

This new development aims to revitalize the area by attracting new residents, more businesses and more shoppers. Plans for the Main Street development include having more than 250 luxury rental apartments with one, two or three bedroom options, as well as 11,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space that will be infused with unique boutiques and one-of-a-kind restaurants, as opposed to franchises or box stores.

The city of Kennesaw will also build a five-story public parking deck behind the development, which will add at least 300 additional on-street and deck parking spaces without being visible from the street.

South City Partners is expected to break ground on the development this month, and the target completion date is summer 2015.

In addition to the South City Partners project, there is a second mixed-use development in the works for Kennesaw. Fuqua Development, LLC recently announced plans to construct a nearly 50-acre mixed-use project at the corner of Barrett and Cobb Parkways. If this project becomes a reality, it could have as much as 450,000 square feet of retail space and at least 30 residential units.