Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman and Austell Mayor Ollie Clemons Jr. spoke to an over-capacity crowd at the South Cobb Business Association luncheon on Jan. 8.
With the theme of “Fireside Chat with South Cobb Mayors” at Presbyterian Village, Thurman and Clemons are the first African Americans to be elected mayors of their cities.
Clemons said his city is pursuing a potential multi-use sidewalk project with Powder Springs and Cobb County that would connect the downtown areas of the two cities and the Silver Comet Trail.
Also being considered is a new recreation center, which Powder Springs and the county also may be involved in developing and constructing, Clemons added.
By mid-May, Thurman said Powder Springs’ new downtown park is expected to be completed for a grand opening to revitalize the city center for visitors and residents.
Following its groundbreaking in October in Powder Springs, the $10 million Westside Woods Sports Complex is expected to open in August along Hill Road just off Highway 278/C. H. James Parkway, Thurman added in a city statement.
The facility, which will offer year-round soccer, e-sports events and local programs, will anchor economic development along C. H. James Parkway and complement growth underway on Richard D. Sailors Parkway, Thurman said.
Powder Springs’ business surveys were launched last spring by Powder Springs Economic Development to help retain existing businesses.
As of Jan. 8, 100 Powder Springs businesses had responded to the survey, with more than three-quarters of the respondents giving the city an overall positive rating as a place to do business, the city statement said.
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