Marietta given Regional Redevelopment Award for Franklin Gateway

IKEA is one of the new developments locating along Franklin Gateway in Marietta along with The Home Depot’s Marietta Technology Center, Atlanta United Football Club’s training facility, the city’s Franklin Gateway Sports Complex and Drive Shack. AJC file photo

IKEA is one of the new developments locating along Franklin Gateway in Marietta along with The Home Depot’s Marietta Technology Center, Atlanta United Football Club’s training facility, the city’s Franklin Gateway Sports Complex and Drive Shack. AJC file photo

The City of Marietta has been awarded the 2018 Regional Redevelopment Award for Franklin Gateway at the annual Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit.

This announcement was made by Partnership Gwinnett and the Council for Quality Growth, according to a city statement.

In a November 2013 referendum, Mayor Steve Tumlin and City Council placed before Marietta citizens a $68 million Redevelopment Bond.

Marietta citizens passed the $68 million Redevelopment Bond - $64 million of which was for the Franklin Gateway Redevelopment Project.

Since the referendum’s passage, Marietta has used the funds to buy four multifamily complexes and one commercial shopping center along Franklin Gateway, leading to new private investment and the creation of more than 2,600 jobs in the corridor.

Marietta’s award-winning entry stated the Franklin Gateway Redevelopment Project has displayed immense, innovative public investment in an area desperately needing revitalization.

  • 2015: The Home Depot relocated its Marietta Technology Center to Franklin Gateway which has brought more than 1,800 jobs to the corridor.
  • April 2017: Atlanta United Football Club opened its training facility on Franklin Gateway.
  • August 2017: Marietta finalized the construction of the Franklin Gateway Sports Complex.
  • December 2017: IKEA USA announced its second metro Atlanta store would be built on a Franklin Redevelopment site.
  • February 2018: Drive Shack announced the development of a sports entertainment destination that combines golf, dining and games.

Since the bond was passed in 2013, police incidents have decreased by nearly 40 percent and property values have risen more than 100 percent.

“It is an honor for the city to be recognized at the Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit for our ongoing revitalization project along Franklin Gateway,” said Marietta Economic Development Manager Daniel Cummings. “Our Mayor and City Council have worked tirelessly to see the area become a hub for job growth and business opportunities.”