Proposal would transform South River Complex

Big plans at the South River Complex would have the former textile mill transformed into a mixed-use commercial-retail-residential development to be known as The Mill at South River.
A 4:15 p.m. press conference at City Hall will give more details on the proposal, which will begin its journey through the city approval process on Friday with the formal submission of an application to rezone the property at Arch Avenue and 12th Street for a mixed-use planned unit development.

The planned conversion of the 40-acre Downtown Waynesboro property, which features 490,000 square feet of building space, would include commercial uses, such as medical, legal and other professional offices, retail space, restaurants, artisan studios and galleries, as well as education, research, entertainment, limited light manufacturing and apartment-like residential space.

Renovation of the first phase of the property is anticipated to begin upon approval of the planned unit development application, according to a press release sent out by South River Inc., a Winchester-based company leading the development effort, with future renovations to take place as business demand arises. Redevelopment concepts for the property include historic preservation, preserving and increasing green space, water and energy conservation, encouragement of pedestrian and alternative transportation methods, community connectivity, and access to the South River and to the future recreational riverwalk greenway proposed by the City of Waynesboro.

“South River Inc. looks forward to working with the City of Waynesboro and its elected officials and staff as the rezoning application moves forward through the approval process,” said the company’s attorney and spokesperson, Michael Bryan.