The Next 20 Years: Smyrna’s Massive Downtown & Recreation Overhaul (Issue #31)

Good morning Stewards,

The full moon last night really rang in the Halloween Spirit.

October kicks off with big news about Smyrna's future.

The Smyrna Government just unveiled plans that'll reshape our city for the next generation—a massive downtown redevelopment, a new aquatic center opening Memorial Day 2027, and a complete recreation overhaul at Campbell Middle School.

Plus, fall events are rolling in with free concerts, football watch parties, and weekend markets to keep you connected with neighbors.

Here's what you need to know this week.

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

In Today's Edition

• 🏛️ Public Pulse: Smyrna's Big Reveal - Downtown Redevelopment and Recreation Projects

• 🌱 Difference Makers: Tracy Styf Named Citizen of the Year After Securing $130M+ in Funding

• 🛡️ Stewards Watch: Recent Food Inspection Scores and Local Compliance

• 🎉 Event Horizon: Your October Calendar: Free Concerts, Football Saturdays, and Fall Festivals

THE WEATHER REPORT
☀️ Perfect Fall Conditions Ahead

Classic October weather rolling in—ideal for outdoor events and weekend plans.

This Week's Highlights:

• Today (Tue): Mostly cloudy, 82°/68° - warm and humid

• Wed: Morning showers, 81°/64° - bring an umbrella early

• Thu-Fri: Cooler and clearer, 69°-71° - sweater weather arrives

• Weekend: Sunny and beautiful, 76°-78° - perfect for farmers market and outdoor activities

• Next Mon: Mostly sunny, 79° - consistent and pleasant

This is the weather you moved to Georgia for.

Plan accordingly: Wednesday's showers hit before 10 AM, so schedule outdoor plans for afternoon or later in the week.

PUBLIC PULSE
🏛️ Smyrna's Big Reveal: Downtown Redevelopment and Recreation Projects

Mayor Derek Norton dropped some major announcements at last months's State of the City address, and they're the kind of projects that'll define Smyrna for decades.

Here's what's coming:

Downtown Gets a Complete Makeover The city bought the old Smyrna First Baptist Church property last December, and now they're planning a 9-acre redevelopment that'll connect old downtown to new.

Nearly 5,000 residents have already weighed in—the most public input in city history.

All the design concepts include the "Jonquil Mile," a pedestrian path linking everything together, plus they're keeping the stone chapel as a performing arts venue.

Final designs drop in November, with developers getting invited early next year.

Campbell Middle School Sports Complex The city's teaming up with Cobb Schools to completely redo the athletic facilities at Campbell Middle.

We're talking new track, baseball fields, walking trails, multi-use fields, and even an adaptive sports field. Funded through city money and 2028 SPLOST. Council vote expected before year-end.

Tolleson Park Gets a Water Park The 60-year-old pool is getting replaced with a full aquatic center by Memorial Day 2027. Think eight-lane competition pool, lazy river, water slide, splash areas for kids, plus proper locker rooms and concessions.

It's staying outdoor (not indoor like originally planned) but it's going to be legit.

South Cobb Drive Refresh From Concord to Windy Hill, South Cobb's getting travel lanes, local access lanes, landscaped medians, bike trails, and pocket parks.

$28M already secured from federal, state, and SPLOST funds. Construction starts 2028.

Already Done Windy Hill Road reconstruction is almost finished (yes, really), the downtown splashpad expansion wraps up this week, and StillFire Brewing opens February 2026 near the Community Center.

These aren't small projects—they're generational investments that'll shape what Smyrna looks like for your kids and grandkids.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS
🌱 Tracy Styf Named Citizen of the Year After Securing $130M+ in Funding

The Cobb Chamber's Smyrna Area Council just named Tracy Styf its 2025 Citizen of the Year, and if you've driven on the Skip Spann Connector or used Noonday Creek Trail, you've seen her work.

Styf runs the Town Center Community Improvement District, and under her leadership they've pulled in over $130 million in grant funding for infrastructure projects. Right now she's overseeing 15 projects worth $75 million total.

What she's accomplished:

• Award-winning Skip Spann Connector

• Noonday Creek Trail

• State's first CID bikeshare program

• South Barrett Reliever phases

• Regional connected vehicle program

She also founded the Town Center Community Alliance nonprofit and serves on boards for the Cobb Chamber, Council for Quality Growth, Georgia Transportation Alliance, and Kennesaw State University.

Her awards rack includes Engineering Georgia's 100 Influential Women (7 years running), Georgia Trend's Notable Georgian (9 years), and she's been in pretty much every "women leaders" list you can think of.

Bottom line: when you see major infrastructure improvements in our area, there's a good chance Styf had a hand in making it happen.

STEWARDS WATCH
🛡️ Smyrna Health Report: Recent Inspection Scores and Local Compliance

The latest rounds of health inspections for Smyrna's food service establishments and public swimming facilities show our community maintaining a strong commitment to health and safety standards.

From mid-September through early October 2025, many inspected businesses earned excellent scores.

🟢 Green: Excellence in Safety (95-100)

This category represents the highest level of compliance, demonstrating excellent food handling, sanitation, and operational safety.

🟡 Yellow: Needs Attention (75-94)

Establishments in the yellow category have satisfied health requirements but were cited for minor to moderate violations that need correction.

🔴 Red: Critical Concerns (Below 75)

A score in the red zone indicates significant health violations that pose a potential threat to public health.

What Happens Next?

For all businesses that did not achieve an acceptable score, the local Environmental Health Department will conduct follow-up inspections to confirm that all cited violations have been addressed.

The goal is to bring every establishment into full compliance to protect our residents.

EVENT HORIZON
🎉Your October Calendar: Free Concerts, Football Saturdays, and Fall Festivals

Smyrna Run Club | Oct 22 6:30 PM

• Location: Stout Brothers

• Description: Meet fellow runners for a relaxed 3–5 mile run

College Football Saturdays | 3PM, Oct 18, Nov 15, Dec 6 (More Info)

• Location: Village Green Park

• Description: Big screen TVs, live DJ, giveaways and prizes. Bring your chairs, wear your team colors, and watch the biggest games of the season with neighbors. No registration needed—just show up.

Blanket Concert Series | Oct 18 (More Info)

• Location: Reed House

• Description: Grab a blanket and friends for free live music. On-site bar available. No registration required—just show up and enjoy.

Smyrna Market | 10AM-2PM, Every Sunday through Oct 19 (More Info)

• Location: Smyrna Market Village

• Description: 60+ vendors every week with international foods, local honey, handmade goods. New vendors each Sunday so there's always something different to discover.

Women's Business Forum | 8:30AM-2PM, Oct 22 (Register)

• Location: Hotel Indigo Vinings, 2857 Paces Ferry Road

• Description: Three speakers on leadership and business. Networking for local businesswomen. Check-in at 8:30 AM, program starts at 9 AM.

👋 Until Next Tuesday

This week showed us what city leadership looks like when they're thinking 20 years ahead instead of just to the next election.

Get out there. Meet some neighbors. Enjoy what we're building together.

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Building Smyrna's future together.
— The Stewardship Group