Mayor Derek Norton announced that the city of Smyrna has purchased the nine-acre parcel occupied by Smyrna First Baptist Church and is using extensive public input to shape a long-term downtown expansion.

The mayor said the city began public engagement after the purchase and has received nearly 5,000 citizen responses to preliminary planning work, which produced three concepts all anchored by what Norton called the “Jonquil Mile,” a pedestrian path linking the older downtown with the new addition. “We want this new addition to our downtown to include the layout, mix of uses, and amenities that you want,” Norton said.

The concepts presented to date include new public spaces, parking, housing, retail, restaurants and a boutique hotel, and preserve the old Stone Chapel to be used as a performing-arts and events venue. Norton said Smyrna First Baptist will relocate to a new facility next to the Reed House on Atlanta Road and will remain in its current location while its new building is constructed, with an estimated completion date of early to mid-2027.

Norton credited Councilman Travis Lindley and economic development staff member Andrea Worthy for leading the engagement process and said the city hired the urban-design firm MKSK to guide the public-phase work. He said the next round of concept design will be available for comment in November, with the city aiming to release a final concept to the development community early next year.

Norton framed the project as multi-generational planning: “We’re not planning here for the next few years, but for the next hundred years or more,” he said.

What happens next: city staff will continue public engagement, refine concept designs based on feedback and then solicit development interest. Norton emphasized the city purchased the property specifically to control the site’s future and said additional details, including final financing and developer selection, will come later in the process.

Ending: City officials said public review opportunities will continue in the coming months; the city expects to release revised concepts in November and to seek developer proposals early in the following year.