Connected By Vision
An inside look at the progress of Town Center CID.
Connected By Vision
Find out what’s going on throughout Cobb County with our news updates.
The Cobb Collaborative is working to promote literacy in Cobb County through community-wide reading programs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, increased physical activity can improve health and quality of life and reduce health care costs. 28
IN YOUR COMMUNITY
A new logistics center in Powder Springs marks the largest single investment in the city’s history.
ABOUT COBB COUNTY
Check out our new section with important facts and figures about Cobb, as well as services available to homeowners and business owners.
FINAL FOCUS
According to a recent report, Georgia ranks as one of the worst states when it comes to mosquito populations.
ON THE COVER: L-R: Town Center CID’s Director of Community Engagement, Jennifer Hogan; Executive Director, Tracy Styf; and Director of Projects and Planning, Alisha Smith. PHOTO: LARUCHE PHOTO
ForeSight
Well, it has been a very wet start to summer in Georgia. As I write this, we were well above the 30-year average for rainfall in both May and June. I’m hopeful that July and August are better, but I won’t hold my breath. I share this because I feel we benefited from a bit of a miracle on the day we shot our cover feature with Town Center CID. We had a warm, sunny morning at Aviation Park, but yes, it did storm later that day.
We wanted to recognize them for their work transforming the Town Center Community. With every mile of trail extended, every piece of public art unveiled, and every partnership forged, Tracy Styf, Jennifer Hogan, Alisha Smith and the rest of their team are shaping a district that balances growth with connection, innovation with tradition, and progress with a deep sense of place. The work is far from finished — but in many ways, that’s the most exciting part, they say.
Read about their projects, their progress, and their future beginning on page 22.
Speaking of progress, you may have noticed that the pages of this issue look a little different. We are redesigning the magazine — and our logo — and just couldn’t wait to start showing it off. These changes are not just aesthetic; they’re functional. You should find the features and articles easier to navigate and easier on the eyes as you thumb through the issue. The updated font, additional white space, and other subtle design elements make the words, photographs, sidebars, and other elements really pop off the page.
Apologies if that reads as quite “wonky,” but these are the things that excite magazine editors and designers. At New South Publishing, we’ve been working on redesigns this year for a few of our magazines. The in-office enthusiasm is palpable. So, tell me, what exciting changes do you expect for the second half of your year?
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Smyrna Art Project Focuses on Fire Hydrants
Fire hydrants are now a bit brighter and more colorful along Atlanta Road in Smyrna. The painted fire hydrant project is along the ARTery, the city’s burgeoning arts district.
Commissioned artists have transformed a total of 14 fire hydrants in partnership with the City of Smyrna and the Public Art Committee. The selection of hydrants was a joint effort — city staff and the Fire Department worked together to identify locations that would maintain safety and add a touch of whimsy to our daily routines.
The ARTery in Smyrna is shining the spotlight on local art and artists. It is being created in multiple phases and will eventually run along Atlanta Road from Belmont to Brawner Park. The first five completed hydrants consist of: Cool Down by Lasalle, Rainy Day Hydrant by Eric Nine, Jonquil Garden by Steph Calvert Art, Euphoria by Jaliyah Nicole, and Flowers by Marisa Leilani.
The ARTery started in 2023 with artists commissioned to paint city utility boxes. This project was promoted as part of Smyrna’s 151st Anniversary Celebration.
Town Center CID Announces New Board Leadership
The Town Center Community Improvement District (CID) recently announced the election of Britt Fleck as chairwoman and Michael Davis as vice chair of its Board of Directors.
Fleck, general manager of land at Georgia Power, oversees the company’s land engineering and acquisition operations strategy. With more than 35 years of experience guiding communities toward a higher quality of life, she brings extensive expertise to her new leadership role. She previously held the position of vice chair on the CID Board.
“Since joining the Board, my passion for the Town Center area has grown tremendously,” said Fleck. “I am honored to work alongside such an impressive group of community leaders to bring the CID’s vision to life.”
Davis is the co-founder of D&G Development Group, a real estate development company. In this role, he pursues new development opportunities, advances existing projects, and maintains external relationships for the company. Appointed to the Board in 2024, he brings a wealth of entrepreneurial and real estate experience to his role as vice chair.
“I am honored to serve in an organization dedicated to the betterment of the area I call home,” said Davis. “Despite my short tenure on the Board, I’ve seen such impactful work done by an incredible group of people and I’m excited to help continue the CID’s legacy.”
“Britt and Michael have proven themselves to be strong leaders,” said Town Center CID Executive Director Tracy Styf. “I’m confident the transition to their new roles will be seamless and their guidance will continue to make Town Center Community an accessible, prosperous place to live, work and visit.”
For more information about the Town Center CID, see our feature article beginning on page 22.
Phase One for New Day Palisades Project Completed
Community leaders, partners, and supporters gathered in early June to celebrate the official ribbon cutting for Phase One of New Day Palisades — a restoration of part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area along Paces Mill.
New Day Palisades is a $15.8-million project of One Cumberland, the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CCID), and the National Park Service to restore, enhance, and rehabilitate a 22-acre greenspace along the Chattahoochee River. The $6.3-million Phase One was funded with $4.3 million provided by the CCID and $2 million in federal appropriations.
Phase One introduced key improvements, including new parking, erosion control measures, stormwater management, and a new meadow.
“The reopening of Paces Mill shows how smart investments in public land improve our health, strengthen our economy, and preserve Georgia’s natural treasures for generations to come,” said U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath (GA 06) at the June 9 event.
Phase Two will break ground in fall 2026, with plans to construct a new Visitor Information Center with restrooms and changing facilities, river steps for enhanced access, elevated overlooks, a new picnic area, and a redesigned takeout zone for boaters. Learn more about the project at newdaypalisades.org.
Britt Fleck Michael Davis
Steph Calvert Art
Sock Drive to Benefit CHOA
A local family has partnered with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for a sock drive, which last year delivered more than 3,500 pair to deserving, young patients at CHOA.
The initiative (on Facebook as Pay It Forward 17 and via teammal.org), is dedicated to the memory of local teen, Mallory Smith, who passed away in 2011 from complications related to Wilson’s Disease.
Wilson’s Disease is a genetic disorder where the body accumulates toxic amounts of copper that leads to organ failure and other maladies. According to Mallory’s mother, Lisa, although the program collects socks all year, they hold their sock drive in September because that was Mallory’s birth month. Then in January, they deliver to CHOA. So, why socks? “Mallory loved them and
wore them all the time,” Lisa says. “Just a little something we can do to share her story and bring a smile to kids’ faces.”
The Smith family also is highly involved with the Georgia Transplant Foundation and endowed a scholarship in her memory. Learn more about that program at gatransplant.org/ mallory-smith-legacy-scholarship-spotlight.
Keep Smyrna Beautiful Receives Grant for Pollinator Pockets Program
Keep Smyrna Beautiful recently received a $2,500 Sandra Webb Legacy Grant from the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, a statewide organization that leads more than 70 city and county affiliates in their efforts to end litter, reduce waste, promote recycling, and beautify communities.
The grant program, now in its fourth year, allocates funding for projects that address sustainability needs. It also honors the memory of Sandra Webb, who founded Keep Madison County Beautiful in the early 1990s and spent more than three decades championing environmental initiatives.
“At Keep Smyrna Beautiful, we’re passionate about protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for our residents. This grant will do both by helping us expand our new Pollinator Pockets program,” said Julie Barwig, executive director of Keep Smyrna Beautiful and director of Environmental Services for the City of Smyrna.
Pollinator Pockets is a community-driven environmental program that supports native pollinators by creating small, sustainable gardens throughout the city. The first garden, located at the Smyrna Recycling Center, is thriving and was formally introduced during a grand opening on June 16. This grant will fund a second garden in Ward 7, advancing the goal of placing a pollinator pocket in every ward of the city. Each garden is pesticide-free, 100–200 square feet, and made up of at least 75-percent native plants. The program also includes educational outreach, resident resource guides, and a plan to create a large demonstration garden to be built in a public park. The ultimate goal is to create a pollinator corridor through Smyrna while uniting residents around a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
Cobb Executive Women Names Nurdan Cornelius 2025 Woman of Distinction
The Cobb Chamber’s Cobb Executive Women (CEW) recently named Nurdan Cornelius the winner of the 2025 Woman of Distinction Award. The award is given annually to a woman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her professional endeavors and community involvement.
The CEW says Cornelius, recently retired director of consumer marketing at Cobb EMC, showed remarkable leadership and unwavering dedication to her profession and community, and set a sterling example for women in business. She has been a driving force behind the Barbara Hickey Children’s Fund and Operation Warmth since their inception. Together, these efforts have provided more than 1 million diapers and 10,000+ winter coats to families in need throughout Cobb County. Her community leadership includes both current and past board service with organizations such as LiveSafe Resources, the Cobb County Safety Village, and the Davis Direction Foundation.
As stated by Edith Boy, 2025 Chairwoman of Cobb Executive Women, “‘NuNu’ has been a driving force in Cobb for many years, not only making remarkable strides in her profession as a leader and a mentor, but also consistently showing her love, compassion, and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in our community who need it most.”
Cobb Executive Women is supported by Yearlong Presenting Sponsor, Northside Hospital, as well as Award Sponsor, S.A. White Oil Company. For more information, visit cobbchamber.org.
A Good Sport
Life University prepares professionals for futures in Sport Health Science
BY KEN ABRAMCZYK
Reprinted with permission from the Spring 2025 issue of
When it comes to sports, today’s colleges do not just offer exhilarating spectator experiences for students and visitors alike.
Many institutes of higher education have crafted programs that are designed to help students forge career paths in everything from sports performance and sports injury rehabilitation to chiropractic and nutrition. One such school is Life University, which offers several options for students, including a graduate program in Sport Health Science and undergraduate studies in exercise science, health coaching and nutrition, all available on institute’s Marietta campus.
Mastering Sport Health Science
According to Dr. Keith Rau, associate professor of Sport Health Science at Life University, the division has evolved over the years from its origins in the 1990s, when athletic training alone was emphasized. Today, the 52-credit hour master’s program has expanded to offer tracks in the professional fields of clinical exercise physiology, sports chiropractic and rehab, nutrition and sport science and sport performance.
Overall, the program is geared towards those who want to learn about the science behind human performance, with each focusing on a different aspect of sports medicine.
For instance, Rau, who holds a doctorate in chiropractic, instructs sports chiropractic and rehab, which integrates the discipline of sport science and chiropractic. Students learn about arthrokinematics, or how joint surfaces move, and proprioception, which is how people perceive locations and
movements of body parts. He explains, “We focus on how the body works and moves and then apply chiropractic principles and techniques to help athletes or just active people.” Students apply these principles during internships and practicums that help pave the way for them to build careers in the space.
Clinical exercise physiology instructs students on applications used in an exercise physiology lab or a cardiac rehab facility and prepares students for careers as cardiac rehab
professionals, clinical exercise physiologists and strength and conditioning coaches, as well as in the areas of health club management, preventive medicine, corporate fitness or further study in doctoral programs. What’s more, nutrition and sport science integrates nutrition and sport science disciplines for research and careers in both of those fields, while sport performance helps prepare the sport injury provider, such as a chiropractor, for sport injury management at a high school or college level. All together, these areas of study provide a comprehensive foundation for employment opportunities across the sports medicine arena.
The Living Lab at Life University Students in the master’s program benefit from hands-on lab work at Life University’s Sport Science Institute (LUSSI) and Center for Health and Optimum Performance (C-HOP), which together help students hone the skills they will need to work in the exercise physiology world. Through these facilities, which include a living laboratory, students are able to work directly with athletes under the direction of the school’s faculty. The lab offers access to such tools as an array of Biodex equipment (which screens for concussions, helps with balance assessment and more) and the Bod Pod, which measures body composition, body fat, lean tissue and bone mineral density. As Rau states, “We have a lot of great equipment to look at everything an exercise physiologist would examine in human performance or in a clinical exercise physiology setting working at a cardiac rehab facility, testing someone to see how their heart is functioning.”
To secure their master’s degree in the program, students complete a practicum in athletic care, assisting the director under his supervision. For example, students work with athletic trainers and strength
and conditioning coaches, developing programming for student athletes with weightlifting and exercises. According to Rau, this focus on sports performance, which is geared toward coaches, gives students comprehensive knowledge of exercise physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and a vast array of topics involved with coaching and a foundation for successful careers upon graduation.
Additionally, students are able to obtain real-world experience outside of the campus itself. One such opportunity is with Rau, who has served as the team chiropractor at Kennesaw State University for more than 20 years and regularly brings Life University students to KSU to assist him. “One of the coolest things we offer to students is the opportunity to work with athletes at the NAIA and NCAA levels,” Rau says. That experience bolsters students’ resumes and helps land them jobs where that experience is needed. He continues, “We’ve had great success where our students immediately start working with high-level athletes because they had that on their resume.”
Starting at the Beginning
For those students just beginning their journeys into the sports medicine—and general health—arena, Life University offers several undergraduate study programs that act as building blocks for their future careers.
Exercise Science
This program studies the disciplines of anatomy, biology, biochemistry, physiology and kinesiology. Students learn skills to work in cardiac and pulmonary rehab, corporate fitness programs and community-based programs. These students often pursue careers later as fitness center managers, corporate fitness officers, strength and conditioning specialists and sports trainers.
Health Coaching
Graduates of this program serve as liaisons
between patients and clinical specialists, identify providers with appropriate expertise, communicate with clinics and advocate on patients’ behalf. Health coaching students pursue careers at holistic health centers, health education facilities, community health centers, corporate health and wellness centers and fitness training centers.
Nutrition
Nutrition students prepare for careers in the food industry, performing duties such as designing meal plans, counseling clients and writing recipes. Students learn about the interconnection between food and health and work in six teaching kitchens that allow them to prepare for careers at holistic health centers, community centers and nonprofit organizations.
Crafting the Future of Sport Health Science
Many students studying exercise science or health coaching are athletes who are interested in those topics, Rau says, noting that “many master’s students are co-enrolled in our chiropractic program. Many athletes stay and get a master’s, but they are not going to go into the chiropractic program; they just want to know more.” He adds that some students in particular want to enter a physical therapy program, noting, “It’s very difficult to get into a PT school, so they’ll get a master’s degree which facilitates them getting into PT school.”
Rau enjoys seeing the interactions among the students, athletes, coaches, trainers and strength and conditioning coaches, calling them great learning opportunities. He concludes, “It’s a blast working with healthy, motivated young people who want to perform at their best. That’s always a fun group to work with. The older I get, I think I enjoy it a lot more. It’s hard not to be energized when you are around motivated young people.”
For more information, visit life.edu. •
Promoting Literacy In Cobb
BY IRENE BARTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COBB COLLABORATIVE
Editor’s note: This article is updated and reprinted from the Jul-Aug 2023 issue of Cobb In Focus
As the local point of contact for the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, the Cobb Collaborative (cobbcollaborative.org) works to promote literacy in Cobb County through community-wide reading programs that unite families, educators, and community partners. Data demonstrates that children who read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to graduate from high school — paving the way to higher education, enhanced employment opportunities, and improved health outcomes. As one of many solutions geared toward improving outcomes for children and families, proficient literacy and language skills have been proven to directly influence the opportunities and successes of their lives.
Early Learning Programming:
The Basics Cobb County
Incredibly, the human brain doubles in size in the first year, and it keeps growing to about 80 percent of adult size by age 3 and 90 percent — nearly full grown — by age 5. That’s why the earliest years are critical to developing strong readers and engaged students. Our commitment to literacy begins with our youngest residents and their families and is anchored by The Basics.
The Basics consists of five principles that help develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills in young children by reminding parents, caregivers, and any child-facing adult to use everyday moments to help build the reading brain. It really is that simple! The five principles boost brain development and improve kindergarten readiness and are simple enough to commit to memory:
1. Maximize Love, Manage Stress
2. Count, Group and Compare
3. Talk, Sing and Point
4. Explore through Movement and Play
5. Read and Discuss Stories
Since establishing the Basics Cobb County in 2021, the Collaborative has grown the program significantly. In 2024, staff and trained volunteers led 105 engaging and interactive “Playground Paloozas,” reaching 2,889 caregivers and young children. Thanks to grant funding, the Collaborative is able to offer a free text messaging service to parents that correlates with the 5 principles. These “Basics Insights” texts provide activity ideas that are free, simple, and effective and are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Anyone can sign up here: https://thebasicscobbcounty.org/ basics-insights
The Collaborative sponsored a Basics preschool nature trail at Henry Park in Marietta. The signs offer prompts for activities that families can do together while exploring the park.
Little Free Libraries
Recently, Cobb Collaborative was named one of six recipients of the Todd H. Bol Award for Outstanding Achievement by the Little Free Library (LFL) nonprofit organization. This prestigious award recognizes individuals and organizations who exemplify LFL’s mission to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access for all. Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting books in the hands of children and adults in communities around the world. These book-sharing boxes remove barriers to book access by being available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day with free accessibility.
Anyone cleaning out bookshelves is encouraged to contact the Collaborative for a donation. Many lowincome neighborhoods are “book deserts,” meaning that it is difficult to access children’s books.
Selected from a pool of dedicated booksharing advocates across the nation, Cobb Collaborative and Executive Director Irene Barton were recognized for their innovative and community-centered approach to expanding book access throughout Cobb County. Since becoming involved with the Little Free Library movement in 2021, Cobb Collaborative has helped install and maintain more than 70 LFLs in partnership with faith communities, schools, municipalities, scout troops, and neighborhoods.
“It is a privilege to recognize Cobb Collective and Irene Barton as winners of the Todd H. Bol Award for Outstanding Achievement,” said LFL Executive Director Greig Metzger. “Their volunteer efforts exemplify the vision of the late founder
of Little Free Library, Todd Bol, to engage communities and enrich lives through the power of shared books.”
“We transfer stewardship to a local representative when we can, but are so pleased to serve as stewards for many of these libraries,” said Barton. “Our community partners know that they can always call upon us if needed to help with a repair, replenish books or answer questions. It is so gratifying that the Cobb Collaborative has the reputation of being a champion of Little Free Libraries.”
Named in honor of LFL’s late founder Todd Bol, the award celebrates those who continue his legacy of community connection through reading. Cobb Collaborative is proud to be among the 2025 honorees and to continue the important work of advancing literacy.
Georgia Reads Community Award
Earlier this year, the Cobb Collaborative was honored as one of 10 recipients of the Georgia Reads Community Award, a statewide recognition for communities that have shown measurable, long-term impact in improving literacy outcomes. The award celebrates organizations with at least three years of collaborative progress toward ensuring every child in Georgia reads proficiently.
To mark the achievement, Cobb Collaborative hosted a Community Literacy Celebration at Austell Elementary School in May, where literacy champion and Georgia Reads Coach Malcolm Mitchell led a school-wide assembly for over 350 Pre-K through 5th grade students. Mitchell, a former NFL player and founder of the Share the Magic Foundation, shared his personal journey overcoming reading challenges and inspired the students with a reading of his children’s book, “Hey, Georgia.” The Share the Magic Foundation has served over 2 million children through in-person and virtual programs since 2018, helping young learners discover the joy and power of reading.
At the assembly, students received a personal copy of “Hey, Georgia,” and a representative from each grade participated in an engaging Q&A session about Mitchell’s personal story and book.
The assembly ended on a high note, led by Mitchell, with a spirited and interactive chant: “When I say ‘Read,’ all of you say ‘Succeed!’” The students enthusiastically joined in — filling the room with energy, pride, and excitement about reading.
Following the school celebration, Cobb Collaborative welcomed state policymakers, local leaders, and community partners to a formal award presentation in the City of Austell. During the celebratory award presentation. Scott Johnson, Literacy Chair for the Georgia Council on Literacy, spoke about the urgency of building strong literacy foundations across the state. “Together, we’re putting the tools in their hands, the coaches in communities, and the skills that will allow them to succeed,” Johnson said.
As part of the recognition, Cobb Collaborative received a $25,000 grant from Georgia Reads to continue expanding its cross-sector literacy strategies throughout Cobb County. Cobb Collaborative remains committed to
fostering a culture of literacy, ensuring that every child in Cobb County has the tools, support, and community they need to thrive.
Mayors Reading Club and Family Reading Kits
Sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association, five of Cobb County’s seven mayors are members of the Mayors Reading Club. In several areas, the Collaborative supports the Clubs by providing monthly reading kits. Each kit contains a new book, a hands-on activity that families can do together that supports the theme of the book, an instructional insert with other activities that families can do to support learning, and resources from the Cobb County Public Library. From starting with 50 kits each month in 2023, the program has grown to 280 kits each month.
The Collaborative always collects gently loved children’s books to distribute at community events, restocking Little Free Libraries, and building home libraries. The Collaborative distributed nearly 9,000 books in 2024 and is on pace to exceed that number this year. Anyone cleaning out bookshelves is encouraged to contact the Collaborative for a donation. Many low-income neighborhoods are “book deserts,” meaning that it is difficult to access children’s books. Books develop and nourish children’s imaginations, expanding their worlds. They create questions and provide answers. Books inspire us and the Cobb Collaborative is proud to play a key role in inspiring others.
The Cobb Collaborative is a membership of nonprofit organizations, local government, businesses, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, professional organizations, associations, and residents who share ideas, expertise, and resources to improve outcomes for children and families in Cobb.
Visit www.cobbcollaborative.org to learn more. •
How Walkability and Movability Can Impact People, Place, and Prosperity in Cobb County
BY KARMA E. EDWARDS, MSPH, NACDD PUBLIC HEALTH CONSULTANT
Editor’s note: This article is updated from the Jul/Aug 2023 issue.
Headquartered in neighboring Decatur, Georgia, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) exists as a national non-profit professional association for chronic disease prevention for state, tribal, and territorial health departments across the United States, associated Territories, and Pacific Islands. More than 7,000 professionals participate with NACDD to prevent disease and promote health.
What is the WAI?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, increased physical activity can improve health and quality of life and reduce health care costs1. At NACDD, we believe in supporting states and communities in creating activity-friendly communities. Activity-friendly communities provide welcoming, safe, and convenient places to play, walk, roll, take public transit, and bike to enjoy destinations the community has to offer.
Making states and communities more walkable, movable, and economically viable is not just a public health issue. Healthy community design and re -design is a shared responsibility by the many different sectors that comprise a community and the many different disciplines that sustain a community.
This is why NACDD’s Walkability Action Institute (WAI) intentionally engages public health counterparts and partners in transportation, planning, economic development, housing, transit, parks and recreation, elected officials, and others.
The WAI is an innovative and proactive multi-day course designed to train interdisciplinary teams using some of the nation’s top experts to create pedestrian-friendly locations by addressing walkability, movability, and community and transportation design in the local community setting. Now in its 11th project year, the WAI has become a marquee project of NACDD’s Center for Advancing Healthy Communities after having provided training and assistance to 112 interdisciplinary teams across 34
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Active People, Healthy Nation, 2024.
The WAI could lend eventual, permanent, and sustainable changes to the physical built environment, so that roads and public spaces are reconfigured to prioritize people over cars, promoting movement.
states and two U.S. territories.
Participant teams not only learn about all-things walkability, movability, and built design, but also discuss factors like housing and transportation access, rethinking accessibility through Universal Design concepts and how to invest in locations that are traditionally not invested in. We embody a “pilotsto-policy” approach, where we work with teams to implement low-cost demonstration and quick-build urbanism projects to recreate placemaking, increase community awareness, and gain the buy-in needed to make the permanent changes that can redesign locations for people, prosperity, and health. Additionally, participants get to engage in experiential learning activities during the course, occurring through outdoor walk/ move audits and photovoice homework assignments, which allows participants to observe and “feel” the tenets being taught through the course in a real-life setting.
Following the course, participating interdisciplinary teams develop unified action plans with goals for pursuing people-centered community changes through new plans and policies, improved systems, and on-the-ground changes to the built environment. Participants are also invited to join NACDD’s National WAI Alumni Network, where they gain access to the shared WAI online warehouse, the latest innovative implementation strategies, and the ability to share, mentor, and network with the nation’s most successful adopters of the walkability movement.
What are the benefits of the WAI?
The WAI is a short-term investment of time and resources for the long-term gain of redesigning communities for people, place, and prosperity, bringing transformative impact and lasting benefits to participating locations.
Health and well-being. By enhancing walkability and movability, the WAI promotes physical activity, better health, and eventual improved health outcomes. Places and neighborhoods that are universally accessible and people-centered encourage residents to incorporate walking, biking, and other forms of active travel into their daily routines, reducing sedentary behaviors and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Improved sense of “place,” belonging, and social connection. Communities that are inherently more walkable and movable create opportunities for social interaction, fostering a sense of community among residents. Increased pedestrian activity can lead to more vibrant public spaces, where people can gather, connect, and build relationships.
Economic development and vitality. People-centered design attracts more business and increases support of local economies. The long-term dividends of the WAI can stimulate smart economic growth and development, as people are more likely to visit local shops, restaurants, and services, thereby boosting local business and employment opportunities.
What does success look like in Cobb County?
The WAI can help communities in Cobb County reimagine and recreate how people and places interact in ways that are healthy, mutually beneficial, and universally welcoming.
Downtowns can be filled with people from all backgrounds enjoying public spaces or at town events together. Sounds of laughter and camaraderie can pervade; people of all ages and abilities can move about the town to the destinations they most need or want to visit; and a robust and vibrant existence of people, place, and prosperity can permeate economic vitality and establish a sense of belonging for all town members
For municipalities in Cobb County, this vision could be made possible by bringing about new or updated plans or policies, such as Complete Streets policy adoption and implementation, or Bicycle/Pedestrian, Comprehensive Growth, or Master plan establishment. It could involve new smart growth development requirements, establishing overlay districts, transit-oriented development, or revitalizing local parks and trail plans.
Local systems may improve in several ways. For example, different partners might start using the same performance goals, share budgeting and funding responsibilities, or create new ways to decide which projects to focus on. Communities might also improve local permitting processes and find better ways to include everyone in efforts to make neighborhoods more walkable and movable.
The WAI could lend eventual, permanent, and sustainable changes to the physical built environment, so that roads and public spaces are reconfigured to prioritize people over cars, promoting movement. New pedestrian treatments like roundabouts, bike boulevards, crossing islands, improved crosswalks, and sidewalks could
be constructed. Spaces and places of business and convening could be made more inviting through improved beautification, signage and wayfinding, and colorful and effective use of paint and public art.
NACDD’s WAI teams have leveraged more than $540 million dollars to collectively achieve nearly 1,400 family-friendly community improvements like safer streets for walking and biking to school, helping over 60 million people. This success exemplifies how modest investments in cross-disciplinary partnerships and necessary training events like the WAI can help communities leverage even more funds to recreate their built environment and benefit their community.
How can Cobb County get involved?
We must immediately transform our communities into walkable environments. By planning and implementing walkable communities, we can improve the quality of life for residents, enhance public health, and create sustainable, vibrant neighborhoods. To achieve this goal, we urge Cobb County to explore the possibilities offered by the NACDD WAI.
To cater to different needs and preferences, NACDD’s WAI provides customizable options, such as a four-day in-person course model, a virtual academy, or a hybrid combination of in-person and virtual learning. This flexibility ensures that Cobb County can effectively participate in this transformative initiative.
To learn more about how Cobb County can become involved in this crucial endeavor, please contact NACDD’s Center for Advancing Healthy Communities at CAHCinfo@chronicdisease.org.
Let’s seize this opportunity to create healthier, more livable communities. Act now to be a catalyst for change. •
WHY
should Cobb County be part of the WAI?
à Receive guidance from the nation’s foremost team of experts.
à Explore new and improved relationships with traditional and non-traditional partners.
à Improved understanding of true and inclusive community engagement.
à Opportunity to identify common ground and collective impact to positively affect people, place, and prosperity.
à Ability to receive customized and groundbreaking training specific to Cobb County needs and growth and development goals.
à Be better positioned for grant acquisition and diversifying funding portfolios for community infrastructure design and development.
WHO
needs to be involved in the WAI?
à Residents from all community sectors such as where people live, learn, work, play, pray, and receive care.
à People from a variety of backgrounds, incomes, and neighborhoods.
à People who work across all disciplines: health, economic development, planning, engineering, transit and transportation, housing, elected officials, public works, parks and recreation, education, business and industry leaders, non-profits, and other community organizations.
Connected By Vision
An inside look at the progress of Town Center CID.
Photo by LaRuche
Photo BY MICHAEL J. PALLERINO
If you asked Cobb residents in 1997 to describe Town Center, they might have mentioned a stretch of bustling retail or the traffic bottlenecks along Barrett Parkway. It was a place people passed through — convenient, commercial, and crowded. But beneath the surface, there was potential just waiting to be tapped.
Fast forward nearly three decades and the transformation is undeniable. Today’s Town Center is more than a collection of shops and roadways — it’s a connected, thoughtfully designed community. Greenways and public art have replaced asphalt eyesores. Bikeshare stations, pocket parks, and pedestrian-friendly paths invite people to slow down, stay a while, and engage. And at the heart of that transformation is the Town Center Community, comprised of the Town
Center Community Improvement District (CID) and its nonprofit partner, the Town Center Community Alliance.
For the past 28 years, these two organizations have redefined what the district means to Cobb County — investing in mobility, quality of life, and a shared sense of place that didn’t exist before. The story of Town Center is no longer about what it was, but what it has become and most important, what the future holds.
The CID is led by an eight-member board and an expert staff, which includes Executive Director, Tracy Styf; Alisha Smith, Director of Projects and Planning; and Jennifer Hogan, Director of Community Engagement. Smith helps oversee the planning and execution of the CID’s priorities, ensuring each project moves forward with
Skip Spann Connector
Skip Spann Connector
L-R: Town Center CID’s Director of Community Engagement, Jennifer Hogan; Executive Director, Tracy Styf; and Director of Projects and Planning, Alisha Smith.
“The idea for the Alliance came from a simple observation: we saw a greater need to foster connections through creating spaces and places with meaning. We realized that while infrastructure moves people, placemaking moves hearts.”
— Executive Director, Tracy Styf
strategic foresight and precision. Hogan plays a major role in shaping the community-facing side of the organization through thoughtful engagement, storytelling, and programming that invites the public into the work.
“Our success comes from the strength of our team,” said Styf. “Everyone brings a different perspective, and that diversity of thought helps us lead with creativity and accountability. Alisha ensures our projects are grounded in strong planning and execution, while Jennifer builds meaningful connections that turn those projects into community assets. Together, we move
Electrify America charging stations
Bells Ferry Trailhead
Bikeshare Program
forward with passion, purpose, and the ability to simply get things done.”
More than just a builder of infrastructure, the Town Center CID continues to be a creator of community. That philosophy has shaped the district’s evolution since its founding in 1997. While the CID remains focused on reducing congestion and improving safety, it also invests in projects that enhance how people experience their environment.
Projects like the Nationally recognized Skip Spann Connector and the South Barrett Reliever (which is scheduled to be completed at the end of this year) are designed to reduce
traffic and improve access to key destinations like Kennesaw State University (KSU). While these types of projects continue to be the cornerstone of the CID’s investments, the broader mission in Town Center focuses on how infrastructure serves as the connector of community, leading to improved quality of life, and further investment. Enter the Town Center Community Alliance. Established in 2016, the Alliance serves as the CID’s nonprofit arm, designed to complement traditional infrastructure work through placemaking and quality-of-life initiatives. Styf said the Alliance was created because the infrastructure alone could not capture
the full experience of the community. “The Alliance helps us invest in projects that bring people together and create meaningful experiences. The idea for the Alliance came from a simple observation: we saw a greater need to foster connections through creating spaces and places with meaning. We realized that while infrastructure moves people, placemaking moves hearts.”
Styf said that while the CID was doing the hard work of connectivity and safety, it needed a channel to create beauty, engagement, and pride. “The Alliance gives us that and it has changed the relationship with our community. Now, we’re not just seen
BY THE NUMBERS –INSIDE THE CID
» $12.6 billion in annual economic impact to Cobb County
» $238.5 million in public revenue generated each year
» 35,765 jobs supported within the district
» $210 million-plus in additional leveraged funds
» Over 100,000 bikeshare rides since program launch
» 20-plus community events in 2024 alone
as builders, but as partners in placemaking and connection.”
The experiences the Town Center Community has been able to deliver are visible across the district. Take Aviation Park. Once an underutilized, kudzu-covered plot of land, it now serves as a vibrant educational and recreational hub. Thanks to the CID’s partnership with KSU, the park features artistic signage, aviation-themed exhibits, and teacher toolkits that make STEM education come alive for students. Families gather for yoga classes under the flight path of Cobb International Airport, and visitors experience a space designed equally for relaxation and learning.
This kind of transformation extends beyond physical improvements — it shapes the emotional connection people have with their community. Public art has become a powerful tool for placemaking. From colorful murals to other art projects, these installations aren’t just decorative — they’re landmarks that foster connection, reflection, and pride. “Our Creative Placemaking Master Plan guides these
efforts,” Styf said. “We’re not just filling space — we’re filling needs. Every project is chosen to enhance how people feel and engage when they’re here.”
Building Together
The overall transformation hasn’t been a top-down effort. Community engagement is the foundation of every project in the Town Center Community. In 2024 alone, they hosted more than 20 outreach events, connecting directly with more than 1,200 residents, students, employees, and local businesses. “We don’t see engagement as a box to check — it’s how we do business,” Styf said. “Whether we’re developing a master plan or launching a new program, we listen first and often.”
This feedback loop has shaped initiatives ranging from bikeshare expansion to trail enhancements. This year, the Alliance introduced pedal-assist e-bikes to the bikeshare fleet, making it easier for users of all ages and abilities to explore the district’s growing network of trails and parks.
The focus on active transportation reflects a broader goal: to create healthier, more connected communities. “It’s not just about providing transportation alternatives,” Styf said. “It’s about creating spaces that encourage people to get outside, engage with their environment, and connect with each other.”
Funding for these projects comes through a unique community reinvestment model. Rather than relying on CID tax dollars, the Alliance raises funds through foundation grants, as well as sponsorships and donations from organizations looking to support their initiatives such as Croy Engineering, Kaiser Permanente, REI, Georgia Power Foundation, and the Georgia Department of Education. “Every dollar we raise goes right back into the community,” Styf said. “It’s a true partnership model that allows us to deliver projects with lasting value.”
These projects are also investments in economic vitality. Walkable, vibrant communities attract talent and support local businesses. As the district continues to grow, new development is increasingly centered on pedestrian-friendly design and access to greenspace.
Connecting the Dots
At the center of this transformation is Styf, who has spent the past decade guiding the CID and Alliance with a clear vision and collaborative leadership style. Her approach blends big-picture thinking with a relentless focus on execution. More than anything has been her belief that success isn’t just about finishing a project, but instead is grounded in building trust and partnerships that foster the long-term impact created.
Under her leadership, the CID has secured more than $130 million in grant funding and leveraged over $210 million in additional investment. These funds have supported everything from major roadway improvements to community-focused projects that improve daily life for residents and visitors alike.
Styf also understands that leadership means ensuring the district is prepared for what is next. The CID’s Comprehensive Master Plan and first Strategic Plan, both developed under her leadership, have created a roadmap for sustainable growth. Together, these plans identified $168 million in long-term priorities and set the stage for the district’s continued evolution. “Our success has always been built on collaboration. The relationships we’ve developed over the years — with local businesses, state agencies, and community members — are the reason we’re able to keep delivering projects that matter.”
The Road Ahead
The Town Center Community is preparing for an ambitious future. One of the signature initiatives is the Loop Project, a seven-mile multimodal corridor that will connect key destinations and encourage redevelopment throughout the district. Also on the horizon is the Noonday Creek Trail Pedestrian Bridge, which is a central connection point that will link more than 22 miles of trails across Cobb County. This critical connection is expected to break ground in 2027 and serve as a new gateway for residents and visitors to explore the region. Public art also remains a priority. Plans are underway for three new installations in the coming months that will engage people of all ages and backgrounds.
LEGACY IN MOTION
Over the past decade, the Town Center CID and Alliance has delivered transformative infrastructure, community-focused projects, and a blueprint for what partnership can achieve. Its signature accomplishments include:
» Skip Spann Connector – A nationally recognized project that transformed congestion and campus access.
» South Barrett Reliever – The district’s largest project to date, expected to reduce Barrett Parkway traffic by 22 percent.
» Big Shanty Road Widening – Easing commutes and improving roadway safety.
» Electric Vehicle Charging Study & Freight Plan – Positioning the district for smarter, more sustainable transportation.
» Aviation Park – A fusion of greenspace, education, and recreation.
» Public Art & Placemaking – Including Cobb County’s first bridge mural and a USA Track & Field-certified race along Noonday Creek.
» Master & Strategic Planning – A data-driven roadmap ensuring the CID and Alliance remain aligned and future-ready.
For Styf, this next chapter is about deepening the district’s identity as a place where infrastructure supports not just mobility, but meaningful community experiences. “The future of Town Center isn’t just about accommodating growth — it’s about shaping it,” Styf said. “We’re creating a place where people don’t just pass through. They stay, connect, and take pride in being part of something special.”
In recent years, the Town Center CID and Alliance have redefined what’s possible when strategic planning, public-private partnerships, and community engagement come together. Their work has transformed a once-commuter-heavy corridor into a vibrant, people-centered community (see sidebar, “Legacy in Motion”).
As Cobb County continues to grow and evolve, the Town Center Community stands ready to lead. Their focus on innovation, inclusion, and long-term impact ensures that Town Center’s next decade will be just as transformative as the last. “Success today is measured in outcomes and experiences,” Styf said. “It’s delivering an impact people
can see and feel, like new options to avoid traffic on Barrett Parkway, safe and vibrant trails, more green space, and public art that brings people together. Beyond physical impact, success today also means being a trusted, dependable partner. Our ability to deliver and lead projects from concept to completion with integrity, transparency, and consistency is what builds confidence in our work. This opens doors for future collaboration and funding, and that’s what sustains us long-term.”
As the Town Center Community moves into their next chapter, the focus remains on building not just for today, but for the generations to come. With every mile of trail extended, every piece of public art unveiled, and every partnership forged, they are shaping a district that balances growth with connection, innovation with tradition, and progress with a deep sense of place. The work is far from finished — but in many ways, that’s the most exciting part.
The best chapters of Town Center’s story are still being written. •
20 West Intermodal Facility Opens In Powder Springs
The new logistics center marks the largest single investment in the city’s history.
BY CORY SEKINE-PETTITE
Intermodal [adjective]: involving two or more different modes of transportation in conveying goods.
In late May, City of Powder Springs leadership and officials from DP Wagner marked the opening of the 20 West Intermodal facility off Highway 278 and Lewis Road. An estimated 175 jobs are expected to be located at the facility once
fully occupied. About 40 of those employees will work for DP Wagner, a consumer products and fulfillment company and the first tenant of the intermodal facility.
“Today, we’re not just cutting the ribbon — we’re celebrating a major milestone for
“This is the kind of transformation and growth we’ve been working towards in Powder Springs — strategically sustainable and local impacting.”
— Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman
the city and the county,” Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman said during the event. “With the opening of this brand new, 347,000-square-foot logistics center, we are marking the largest single investment in Powder Springs’ history — $50 million. And the creation of new, local career opportunities that will benefit our residents and economy for years to come.”
DP Wagner is a leader in the manufacture and distribution of private-label drywall patch kits, and a distributor of other products for major retailers throughout the country. Company officials say they intend to become a committed partner with the city and it begins with their new facility at 4795 Innovative Way.
“We were over in South Fulton, and we knew we needed a large facility to accomplish what we wanted to do in the business world,” said Jeff Hope, general manager of DP Wagner. “We looked at numerous facilities all over Atlanta, and found this building, and frankly, it stood out above the rest. It had great access; it had a great street name — Innovative Way. …How can you not be on a street named Innovative Way in a city called Powder Springs?”
Just minutes after cutting the ribbon with Mayor Thurman, Hope said he wanted the ceremonial action to signify more than just an opening. “We want it to signify the opening of new doors for collaboration, new avenues for progress, and a new chapter of shared success between our organization and the community,” Hope said. “Being a part of the City of Powder Springs and Cobb County is an exciting place to be. We’re incredibly grateful and deeply committed to being a member of this community, a strong partner, and a force for positive growth.”
Hope and other company officials took
part in the May 27th event, as did representatives of Native Development Group LLC, which developed the facility with its partner, a real estate fund advised by Crow Holdings Capital. Marsellas Williams, Economic Development director for the City of Powder Springs, called DP Wagner’s arrival and the ceremony “the beginning of something that will create real impact for our city.”
Williams applauded the efforts of Native Development Group and those of its principal, Joe McGorrey, for helping to bring the project to life. “These are careers, opportunities, and futures being built right here in our backyard,” Williams said. “This isn’t just a win for Powder Springs — it’s a regional asset, and it started with your team’s commitment to doing something big and doing it right.”
According to the building’s owner, CenterPoint Properties, 20 West Intermodal just three miles from a Norfolk Southern intermodal terminal and 14 miles from I-285 via I-20, giving its tenants efficient access to the metro Atlanta’s extensive highway network as well as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “Atlanta is a market we’re enthusiastic about and focused on for its strong fundamentals and because it’s a natural extension of the Savannah market, where CenterPoint owns and manages 24 assets totaling nearly four million square feet,” Roy Rosenbaum, CenterPoint’s East Region Senior Vice President of Investments, said. “This facility has attributes we covet in our other target markets across the country, including access to an intermodal facility, desirable modern features, and a well-conceived site plan with multiple points of egress and ingress, a separate trailer exit, and an above-market parking ratio,” he added.
The city says a second tenant coming to the facility this year is a significant distributor of restaurant food and supplies. The company has 70 employees in its current facility that is relocating from the Fulton Industrial market. Its use of the facility will be aimed at serving the Georgia/Florida markets, and it expects to be fully operating by the end of 2025.
“This,” Mayor Thurman said, “is the kind of transformation and growth we’ve been working towards in Powder Springs — strategically sustainable and local impacting.”
L-R: Ren Henry, Manager Sales DPWagner; Councilwoman Patricia Wisdom; Councilwoman Doris Dawkins; Mayor Al Thurman; DP Wagner General Manager Jeff Hope; Councilman Dwight McMutry; and Mark Parrott, Manager Operations DPWagner.
ABOUT COBB COUNTY
Distance from Marietta to Downtown Atlanta: 20 mi
Distance from Marietta to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: 30 mi
POPULATION: 776,743
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: $503,580
COMBINED SALES TAX RATE: 7%
ONLINE: cobbcounty.org
Long regarded as one of the best places to live in metro Atlanta, Cobb County captures the best of all worlds with growing businesses, neighborhoods and more just beyond the I-285 Perimeter. It provides easy access to recreation and entertainment opportunities, as well as a thriving commercial center.
MAJOR EMPLOYERS:
• Amazon.com Services, Inc.
• The Home Depot
• Lockheed Martin Corp.
• Kennesaw State University
• Fed Ex Ground Package System
• Publix Supermarkets
• Walmart
• Wellstar Health System
• Piedmont Healthcare
ATTRACTIONS:
• Truist Park/The Battery Atlanta
• Six Flags Over Georgia/White Water
• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
• Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
• Silver Comet Trail
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
CITIES OF COBB:
ACWORTH acworth-ga.gov
Known as “The Lake City,” Acworth makes good use of its prime location on the banks of Lake Acworth with a full calendar of events centered around the water and abundant recreational activities.
AUSTELL austellga.gov
Although Austell is located just 18 miles from downtown Atlanta, It’s revitalized downtown gives it a small-town feel. The town is known for railfanning and the colorful train engines of the Atlanta rail lines.
KENNESAW kennesaw-ga.gov
Kennesaw is a bustling business center in Cobb County known as a great place to raise a family, while also being home to first-rate parks, the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History and Kennesaw State University.
MABLETON mableton.gov
Incorporated in 2022 and becoming Cobb County’s largest city with more than 78,000 residents, Mableton is home to Six Flags, the Historic Mable House and Mable House Amphitheater and access to the Silver Comet Trail.
MARIETTA mariettaga.gov
Historic Marietta Square serves as the city center for this vibrant and ever-growing community, boasting quaint shops, renowned restaurants, numerous museums, celebrated theatres and great hiking at Kennesaw Mountain.
POWDER SPRINGS cityofpowdersprings.org
Once a gold mining town, the city boasts a historic downtown, Thurman Springs Park, the Cobb County BMX Park and integrated bike and pedestrian trails.
SMYRNA smyrnaga.gov
Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Atlanta and winner of the Urban Land Institute’s Award of Excellence, the “Jonquil City” is home to a wealth of family-friendly, diverse neighborhoods, upscale dining establishments, pristine public parks and a vibrant Village Green.
Atlanta
Cobb
Acworth
Austell Kennesaw
Marietta
Power Springs Smyrna
Marietta
Vinings
NEIGHBORHOODS OF COBB: CUMBERLAND
Situated 10 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, this unincorporated community serves as the region’s fifth largest business district and is home to the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park.
VININGS
Unincorporated Vinings has become a go-to spot for a city-meets-the-suburbs experience, with upscale boutiques, exceptional restaurants and the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
EDUCATION:
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Cobb County Schools cobb.k12.org
Marietta City Schools marietta-city.org
FIVE PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Mount Paran Christian School mtparanschool.org
North Cobb Christian School ncchrisitan.org
The Walker School thewalkerschool.org
Whitefield Academy whitefieldacademy.com
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy mtbethelchristian.org
(source: Niche)
To view annual SAT scores by district and school, as well as Georgia Milestones scores, visit the Georgia Department of Education at gadoe.org.
MAJOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Chattahoochee Technical College chattahoocheetech.edu
Kennesaw State University kennesaw.edu
Life University life.edu
UTILITIES:
NATURAL GAS
SCANA Energy scanaenergy.com
PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET
Xfinity/Comcast xfinity.com
AT&T att.com
Spectrum spectrum.com
ELECTRICITY
Georgia Power georgiapower.com
Acworth Power acworth.org
Cobb EMC cobbemc.com H
GreyStone Power Corp. greystonepower.com
Marietta Power mariettaga.gov
WATER
Cobb County Water System cobbcounty.org
Marietta Water marietta.gov
H Select provider
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Truist Park- Home of the Atlanta Braves
Battling Mosquitoes
BY CORY SEKINE-PETTITE
According to a recent report, Georgia ranks as one of the worst states when it comes to mosquito populations and the health risks associated with disease transmission from mosquito bites. The study collected rainfall data, temperature, mosquito species, and West Nile virus cases in the United States from sources such as the National Centers for Environmental Information, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Population Review, and Google Trends.
Florida tops the list with 7.13 inches of summer rainfall and an average temperature of 81 degrees. And reportedly, residents must contend with 80 mosquito species! So, it’s no surprise our neighbors to the south lead the country in online mosquito
prevention searches, with 1,457 per 100,000 people. On the bright side, West Nile virus cases there are low, at just 0.08 per 100,000.
Georgia ranks fifth in this study, with 4.71 inches of rainfall and temperatures averaging 78.7 degrees. There are 63 species of mosquitoes here, but the West Nile virus rate is low at 0.48 per 100,000. Even though the health risk is lower, people are still searching for mosquito prevention tips, with 1,450.57 searches per 100,000. It’s a moderate problem, but people are staying proactive, the study finds.
In researching this topic a bit more, I learned that we have more than 200 different species of mosquito in the continental United States. What?! Fortunately, for us, the CDC says only 12 species are disease
carriers. Still, what is the point of them? Yes, I know they are pollinators but come on. It seems their true purpose is to annoy humans. They are pervasive around my home, even though I pay for specific mosquito control service. During the warm months, I cannot enter or exit my home without being targeted, though these pests seem to enjoy attacking my wife more than me. At times, it can be difficult to enjoy the outdoors at all during spring and summer. I guess the downside to living in a warmer climate is that the biting insects want to live here, too. As that mosquito study’s data points out, if these bugs are just too much for you, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska are nice places to be. •
