SMYRNA, Ga. — A long, dormant development in Cobb County is about to get new life. Smyrna's mayor spoke with Channel 2's John Bachman Wednesday, on the eve of his State of the City speech, about the exploding growth and the impact of the new Braves stadium.
Dirt is moving in Smyrna, and Belmont Hills is one of several new developments in the works. The project, next to the new Smyrna Elementary School, will have 150 new homes, 275 luxury apartments, shops and restaurants.
"We love all the new restaurants that are popping up. The traffic, of course, that's grown too," Lori Adams, a Smyrna homeowner said.
Adams said she expects more growth and traffic as the Braves stadium is built just a couple miles down the road from the city's center.
"Super excited about the Braves. Kind of dreading the traffic, but I think it'll be good overall," she said.
Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon plans to talk about the new Braves stadium, and its impact on the city on Thursday.
The mayor says he has a big announcement at his State of the City and that it has to do with the long, dormant development between the city center and where the new Braves stadium will be. He said the Jonquil site has been sold and that he is going to talk about the new plans for the property.
“To me, that's one of the best corners in Cobb County, in metro Atlanta. It’s so important and critical to our downtown,” Bacon said.
Derek Mobley said he likes living in Smyrna, but that he is concerned about the Braves moving so close.
"That prospect actually had me considering relocating somewhere else, because traffic is going to be a nightmare,” he said.
Bacon did not deny that traffic will be a factor in the change.
"There’s going to be issues with traffic, no ifs ands or buts about it, but I think they're working toward that. I think it's going to work out fine,” Bacon said.
Smyrna has had a 40 percent population growth since 1990. The mayor's State of the City speech is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
WSBTV
