Downtown Smyrna Makeover Is In The Works

SMYRNA, GA — Smyrna city officials are in the beginning stages of a downtown redevelopment plan, and is giving citizens a chance to make their voices heard in the process.

Smyrna City Council members agreed during a meeting last Thursday to hold two public hearings on the proposed redevelopment plan, which would replace the fountain and roundabout in the front of Market Village with a green space and splash pad, according to city documents. A parking deck is also planned.

Mayor Derek Norton has also proposed selling a portion of land between the community center and Atlanta Road to Suwanee's StillFire Brewing for a three-level brewery, the Marietta Daily Journal reported. The proceeds would be used for a new public park next to the brewery, featuring a playground and dog park.

"This hasn't happened in Smyrna in 25, 30 years," Norton said. "People are thirsting for it, and it's going to be a big deal."

The first public hearing on the downtown redevelopment took place June 8, and the second is scheduled Monday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Smyrna Community Center, located at 200 Village Green Circle.

The downtown redesign is funded through Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) money, which voters approved in November and will take effect Jan. 1, 2022. The green space and parking deck are estimated to cost $2.5 million and $4 million, respectively.

The MDJ reported that if construction were to begin by the end of October this year, engineers estimate it could be complete by August 2022, but an official timeline would have to wait until further along in the planning process.

See also: Windy Hill, Sunday Alcohol, Pride, SPLOST: Smyrna City Council