Multi-use Latin project draws opposition

by Don Nelson
Athens Banner-Herald

Bruno Rubio dreams of converting the former Cofer's Lawn and Garden center on Cedar Shoals Drive in southeastern Clarke County into an ambitious multi-use development showcasing Latin American cuisine and culture.

The project calls for a restaurant with a courtyard dining area, a greenhouse, a plaza, shops, a bakery, a gallery, an event hall and studio apartments. The plan also includes constructing a new facade featuring traditional Spanish colonial architecture on the former Cofer's metal building and two additional two-story buildings with similar styling on the 2.5-acre site. Plans have been submitted to the Athens-Clarke County Planning Department and the Planning Commission is scheduled to review those plans July 7.

Rubio's concept, which he has named La Puerta del Sol, has met resistance with residents in neighboring subdivisions such as Cedar Creek, Green Acres-Crestwood and Spring Lake, however. Cedar Creek has gone on record opposing the plan, said Athens-Clarke Commissioner States McCarter, who represents those neighborhoods. The presidents of the neighborhood associations could not be reached for comment. Hoping to convince the residents of those east-side communities that his plan would benefit the area, Rubio has scheduled several community meetings.

McCarter explained that the property is currently zoned for commercial office, which would provide for a lower-impact use in terms of traffic. Residents in the area, McCarter said, would like to see Rubio bring a Latino restaurant to their side of town, but want him to open in an area already built and zoned for such a use. "We have a ton of commercial/neighborhood zoned property out here," said McCarter, who pointed out that several new and existing shopping centers on Barnett Shoals, Gaines School and Lexington roads would accommodate a project like Rubio proposes.

Rubio, a native Peruvian who opened Caliente Cab (now Azucca) in 1997 on Tallassee Road and Pollo Criollo on Prince Avenue in 2003, said the Cofer's property is ideal for him because purchasing the site will offer him greater stability. His current two businesses are leased, and Rubio said the owners of the land on which he operates Azucca have told him he must vacate the property by the end of June. He added that the rental agreement on his Pollo Criollo space is also uncertain.