Mayor Shares Plans for Smyrna in State of the City

SMYRNA — It’s an exciting time to live in Smyrna, Mayor Derek Norton says.

Norton delivered his State of the City Address to hundreds of community members and elected officials at the Smyrna Community Center Wednesday night.

During the address, the mayor highlighted the city’s accomplishments in 2023 and shared what to expect in the upcoming year.

“What an exciting time it is to live in Smyrna, Georgia. You can just feel the energy here everywhere you go, whether at a city event, a youth sports game or just walking around town,” Norton said.

Downtown Expansion

This fall, Norton said more parking will be created downtown, however it will not be in the form of the previously proposed parking deck.

The city has pivoted from the deck, which would have cost more than $40,000 per space, to a surface lot between the community center and police station.

The demolition of the old records building along Atlanta Road in the coming weeks will make way for an additional 70 parking spaces.

“(The council) decided there would likely be other opportunities in our downtown for more parking in the future, especially as we contemplate what the nine-acre addition of the First Baptist Church property will look like,” Norton said.

The nine-acre addition refers to the city’s plans to expand the downtown footprint by acquiring the Smyrna First Baptist Church property. Norton believes this expansion will prove to be the most important project in the city’s history.

The church is moving to a new location and its historic chapel will be turned into a city facility for performing arts and events. A committee has been formed to facilitate the process of determining what else will go on the site, but Norton said it could include new public spaces, restaurants, retail and housing.

Parks and Rec

Parks and recreation continue to be a focal point for administration as they consider new projects.

“We know these are the spaces where our community comes together to enjoy each other and all we have to offer here in Smyrna,” Norton said. “We will continue to allocate funding to improving our parks amenities and as we plan for the 2028 SPLOST, you can expect a significant portion of those funds to be dedicated to recreation purposes.”

Earlier this year, Riverline Park gained a new turf athletic field. The field is one of two approved complexes, the other at Jonquil Park will be completed in the upcoming weeks. In 2025, Riverline is also expected to get a splashpad, with construction scheduled for this winter.

The overhaul of Tolleson Pool and the development of a new pickleball facility on Church Street at the old location of Castellaw Funeral Home are also on the horizon.

Plans for an indoor aquatics and gymnastics facility are also in the works. While its location is undisclosed, Norton assured listeners the new facility will be easily accessible and will not affect any residential neighborhoods.

Other Initiatives

Transportation improvements are also a priority, with significant upgrades planned for South Cobb Drive and the ongoing Windy Hill Boulevard project nearing completion.

Norton called the Windy Hill project, which began in 2020, “the gift that just keeps on taking.”

The project will feature new express lanes to allow traffic flow through the corridor from South Cobb Drive to Atlanta Road while maintaining local access roads.

“A vision of our previous mayor, this project has been a nightmare of increased cost and inconvenience,” Norton said.

Whether or not it’s worth it, he hopes the project will at least be transformative for the businesses along that road that have suffered over the past years.

Norton also touched on environmental initiatives, including installing LED lighting, efficient HVAC systems, electric vehicle charging stations and solar shading to make Smyrna greener and healthier.

He added that Smyrna ARTery, the initiative to create an arts district from the Belmont development at Windy Hill Road down Atlanta Road to Brawner Park, was revived under the leadership of Councilman Rickey Oglesby. Designing Local, an urban planning firm, was brought in by the city to work with local artists in the Indie Arts Alliance and Smyrna Arts Council to help bring the vision to life in the next weeks and months.

Norton shared the status of other initiatives like Spartan Shield, a new program aimed to help elevate Campbell High School’s football program and facilities, as well as programming and events throughout the city. He concluded with a look ahead to the 2024 City Birthday Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 12, which will announce its lineup after Aug. 30.

“I will say this year it is not another white 90s band, we’re mixing it up this year,” Norton said, referencing last year’s lineup of The Wallflowers and Goo Goo Dolls.

Delivered Projects

Last year, Norton stood before the crowd and reported on upcoming projects including a new downtown green space, updated park facilities, an arts district, additional parking and various road improvements.

He took some time to share additional updates on these projects, some completed, others still in the works.

The mayor began by highlighting the redevelopment of the city’s center at the Smyrna Market Village, where a new green space, splashpad, stage and playground were added.

“This new space is always being used and it’s truly a gem for everyone in the community, young or old,” he said.

The space was recognized as the 2023 Medium Redevelopment of the Year at the Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit.

Later this year, the mayor said they plan to add a new bathroom near the public library as well as refresh the train play area.

Norton also provided updates on the long-awaited StillFire Brewing and said it will finally begin construction in September with a target opening of fall 2025.

Additional delivered projects include new amenities to North Cooper Lake Park as well as new batting cages at several local parks.

The mayor added that the city’s strong financial position, “the best in many years,” allows the city to continue to provide residents with new projects and services.

In June, the Smyrna City Council approved the city’s fiscal 2025 budget for $105.7 million, about $5 million up from last year’s adopted $100 million budget.

“This strong financial position enables us to take care of our first responders and the rest of our talented staff and also provide our residents the best services of any city in the state,” Norton said.

Norton’s address was preceded by speakers including Director of Radiology Operations Karl Sadler who delivered sponsor remarks on behalf of Northside Hospital.

Sadler has lived in Cobb County for almost 20 years and shared heartfelt memories of raising his sons in Smyrna.

“For me, Smyrna is a community that helped shape my life and the life of my children,” Sadler said. “I want to express my gratitude to the city… and the hard-working individuals both past and present who have dedicated themselves to creating and maintaining such wonderful spaces and opportunities for families like mine.”