New Details Unveiled For Smyrna Downtown Redevelopment

SMYRNA, GA — Two plans are being considered for the fine-tuned details of Smyrna's downtown redevelopment, including a sculpture that could create an "Instagrammable moment" in the new downtown.

Smyrna City Council already approved an overall concept plan for the $6.5 million redesign in June, which includes replacing the fountain and roundabout at the front of the city's library with a green space and splash pad; building a 250-spot parking deck; extending King Street to Powder Springs Street; and adding a stoplight at the corner of Powder Springs Street and Atlanta Road.

But council members faced opposition from residents who said the changes feel rushed, as well as two council members who voted against the initial concept plan — so Mayor Derek Norton created the Smyrna Downtown Redesign Task Force.

Members of the task force include the five council members who voted for the redesign and three citizens with expertise in landscape architecture, building and marketing.

Pond & Company, an architectural and engineering firm based in Peachtree Corners, crafted the master plan presented to Smyrna City Council last August and approved two months ago. Andrew Kohr, Pond & Company's director of landscape architecture, presented the two refined plans to the Smyrna Downtown Redesign Task Force at its Monday meeting.

Both plans feature a lawn stretching from the community center south to Bank Street, but the first plan also includes a plaza and walkway that cuts through the lawn.

Architects added an "Instagrammable moment" into the plaza, featuring big sculpture-like letters in front of the library that spell Smyrna in all caps, but without the Y. Visitors could then pose and fill in the Y themselves.

The second option was more traditional, offering structures for shade on both sides of the lawn, but no sculpture. Some task force members said the Smyrna letter sculpture would likely be a big draw for visitors.

"There’s a potential to see more activity [in the first plan] than the other option. That one feels much more passive. It’s not going to bring as many people into the area,” Council Member Austin Wagner said.

Cost estimates for the two plans were not provided. The budget will be considered at the task force's next meeting in September. The task force plans to hold two public hearings Sept. 16 so residents can provide input before it goes to council for a vote.

Norton has also proposed selling a portion of city-owned land between the community center and Atlanta Road to Suwanee's StillFire Brewing for a three-level brewery, but a sale has yet to take place. The proceeds would be used for a new public park next to the brewery, featuring a playground and dog park.

Related:

• $6.5M Downtown Redesign Approved By Smyrna City Council
• Downtown Smyrna Makeover Is In The Works