The Riverview community has replaced the Six Flags community in a rebranding effort to reduce negative association with Six Flags Over Georgia concerning crime.
To discuss this topic, a panel discussion, hosted by the South Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, was held recently behind the new Blue Hawk roller coaster.
Panelists included Smyrna City Councilman Doug Stoner, chairman of the South Cobb Redevelopment Authority; Ed Richardson, the authority’s treasurer; Dale Kaetzel, park president at Six Flags Over Georgia and Sabrina Young, Cobb County Economic Development coordinator.
Among the most visible changes are road name changes and the impending demolition of the Magnolia Crossing apartments.
Six Flags Drive becomes Riverside Parkway and Cityview Drive, part of Six Flags Parkway becomes Premier Lane and Six Flags Way becomes Harbor Way. The only road to stay the same will be Six Flags Parkway.
Residents in the high-crime Magnolia Crossing apartments have been relocated — many to bordering apartments.
Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman asked if the authority plans to buy more apartment complexes along that corridor.
Since the authority only has $10 million and bought Magnolia Crossing under its value, Young said the authority does not have enough money to buy any more apartment complexes.
Also, the crime problem was not as bad at the other complexes since they all required background checks - unlike Magnolia Crossing, Stoner said.
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