Smyrna Downtown Redevelopment Plan (2026) Presentation

The City of Smyrna, Georgia held a public meeting on February 3, 2026, to present and discuss the Smyrna Downtown Redevelopment Plan for 2026. The plan, developed by the urban planning firm MKSC with extensive community engagement involving over 17,000 residents, proposes a mixed-use redevelopment of the First Baptist Church site to double the size of downtown Smyrna. Key elements include preservation of the historic chapel, creation of new green spaces, a walkable "Jonquil Mile" trail, and approximately 350 new residential units with a mix of for-sale and rental housing. The plan emphasizes connectivity, walkability, and a vibrant ground-level retail and dining experience. The city intends to proceed with a procurement process involving an RFQ and RFP to select a qualified development partner who will align with community priorities such as local business inclusion, high-quality architecture, and public green spaces. The council voted to adopt the redevelopment plan and authorized the mayor to execute related documents, marking a significant step toward implementation. Discussions also covered potential reimbursement for developers' proposal costs and the importance of maintaining ongoing community engagement and transparent communication throughout the development process.