Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin and the City Council officially begin the Franklin Gateway Revitalization project Wednesday morning with demolition of the former Woodlands Park Apartments, 861 Franklin Road.
This event is a part of the $68 million Marietta Redevelopment Bond initiative that was approved by city residents in 2013, the city’s Public Information Officer Lindsey Wiles told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Marietta is able to borrow up to $64 million to revitalize Franklin Road, which is symbolized by the road’s name change to Gateway Boulevard.
“This stretch of the city has been faced with higher than normal crime stats and other issues. Because of the bond, the city has been able to purchase extremely dilapidated apartment complexes, help those residents find other housing and demolish that property to market to other businesses,” Wiles said.
A recent announcement involves The Home Depot’s relocation of its IT department to Franklin Road at Newmarket.
The remaining $4 million bond money will be used for Whitlock Avenue sidewalk and pedestrian enhancements, beginning this week.
