SMYRNA, Georgia — Smyrna City Council approved the Smyrna Downtown Redevelopment Plan, clearing the way for the city to issue a request for qualifications as early as this year.
The council adopted the 2026 plan during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Feb. 2. City officials said the plan reflects more than a year of community engagement and outlines a long-term, community-driven vision for downtown Smyrna and the 9-acre First Baptist Church site.
The final plan was presented to Mayor Derek Norton and council members by Luis Calvo of MKSK, on behalf of a consultant team that also included Urban Partners and Cincar Consulting Group. Members of the advisory committee and project ambassadors attended the meeting.
The concept envisions a mixed-use expansion that could add about 350 homes, including a mix of for-sale and for-rent housing, new retail and dining, a food hall, a hotel, and additional green space. A proposed linear greenway, the “Jonquil Mile,” is intended to connect key destinations and strengthen walkability through downtown.
City officials said more than 17,000 residents participated during the planning process through public meetings, surveys, stakeholder discussions and online engagement.
Some residents have raised concerns about the scale of redevelopment and potential traffic impacts. City staff said the next phase is expected to focus on implementation steps, including a request for qualifications followed by a request for proposals to select a development partner and refine elements such as infrastructure, mobility and phasing.
The council’s action authorizes the mayor to execute related documents associated with the adoption of the plan.
Sightseers’ Delight has not been included in the city’s official communications distribution for the project, including outreach conducted by city communications staff and an outside public relations firm.
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