[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84,96],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6244423,"mediaKeyId","3230154-3e1a98228163ffd1ea97b476d9cbfed2","parentId",3230154,"title","City highlights $223 million Sandtown Village mixed-use project and international trade efforts","audioSeconds",2178,"startMs",3738000,"endMs",5916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230154-3e1a98228163ffd1ea97b476d9cbfed2&start=3738&end=5916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230154-3e1a98228163ffd1ea97b476d9cbfed2/thumbnail_3738000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244423/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/City-highlights-223-million-Sandtown-Village-mixed-use-project-and-international-trade-efforts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244423-16d5c520ae00f0b5b8c98b14447ef2e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171455&Signature=bEGClK400c5g~qMo0uPxJ7Le41ZUAR2xyDIqggSdkqCCKnAIFaZXeNJA83g99r-OxVNZu347A8lN59~0WhJJh2FbisCsY~T7VtczVceTyy4slaff4K-3dVK~sbmsh73~tPS73hf40B2L7MK~5WZRsBZNBjMTmAp0YxZ0ve-JWAaCH7uTNbEE-0FbIbVc3x~T8ayrvnV38uhzE1nSjgRBNohGxYoO1UKDTT6C8MABu9p37JzWjkV4dGXC9p~4oU3OFle2ntqIw9aL0wPxlDh6-AV3T696MezZV1t~Z4zSVY5f652ZNvSb8UAc~LJeJuKY1MwhcOrLI3QxmgpLCdyefA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T13:08:28Z","article","City leaders highlighted ongoing economic development projects and trade activity at the eighth-anniversary event, naming a $223 million mixed-use project and business partnerships developed during trade missions.

City Manager Sharon Soubadan and Mayor Kobe described the Sandtown Village Hutch project as “a $223,000,000 mixed use investment” to transform 60 acres into housing, retail and green space. The project was presented as a development anchor to create jobs and retail access in District 1.

Business owner Latron Price, who spoke from the audience, credited a trade mission to Colombia organized with the mayor’s office and partners for opening new export and distribution channels. Price said the work could enable Georgia commodities to move through new packing and shipping facilities and that some products could be sold through major online retailers. “Mayor Colby invited me now ... to participate, in this tour of the port with these African representatives where Mayor Colby and others have, built inroads,” Price said; the business owner’s remarks referenced the mayor by a slightly different name in the transcript.

Why it matters: large-scale private development and trade partnerships can affect jobs, land use and local retail access. City leaders emphasized business attraction and international outreach as parts of a broader growth strategy.

Details and limits: Officials spoke of private-sector-led development and city-facilitated promotion; no new incentives, tax abatements, or council approvals were announced at the event. The city cited partnerships with Morehouse College, the AD King Foundation and other organizations in promotional remarks.

Ending: Officials urged residents and local businesses to pursue opportunities from development and trade outreach and to consult city economic development staff for details.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of South Fulton's State of the City 2025 (2) - Live Event Stream","oneSentenceSummary","Officials promoted the Sandtown Village Hutch $223 million mixed-use development and described trade missions that city leaders say are bringing business opportunities to South Fulton.","taxTitle","South Fulton, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2961,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":44,"_45":78,"_47":79,"_49":50,"_51":80,"_53":81,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":82,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":83,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6244427,"South Fulton touts crime drop, announces municipal court amnesty week and calls for moratorium on asset forfeiture",3049,6787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230154-3e1a98228163ffd1ea97b476d9cbfed2&start=3738&end=6787","/articles/6244427/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/South-Fulton-touts-crime-drop-announces-municipal-court-amnesty-week-and-calls-for-moratorium-on-asset-forfeiture","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244427-214d5d25989b05deb68159f7c615a30f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171455&Signature=gjAw-BdzmfSqpA~NMy3UxII-mNDFxx~NfRjEpx-~VEEYpWfcnIalgVUKY1vRjdaJA9QVg99zMY6XxCs1oNcA0BWrp5LIYB801lf70jqctNoIxN2ttosijKp9kBNfSnLKIyNmz5LoyRu8CshgnrPx1x2nkJQlCpkkc7TmLHIXm6cN6Ugsusb9IvKPInK3QMf~Fgagmspv8ampjMzykPoxCZk1fdfgLVeZxZnZQsoq7cM8gOZgxtAl3tfLNghtb~fqWFkg~RpeMsX2bD34TPGGyvv2IqOc7S2trqaUhpThOTQJf~Sbjy-czzSo7VDBSfy8KHyxQU3ZFlw5lH-gxvVfAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials described public-safety investments and court initiatives during the city’s anniversary remarks, citing a reported fall in major crimes and announcing a municipal court amnesty week and a proposed moratorium on asset forfeiture.

City Manager Sharon Soubadan said the City of South Fulton had “a 26% reduction in part 1 crimes” and that the police department expanded capabilities with new technology in a real-time crime center. She also said the fire department had added transport-capable EMS units and been supplied with new apparatus.

Mayor Kobe described municipal court programs and announced that “this July, we will be hosting an amnesty week, not a day, a week, allowing individuals with outstanding tickets and warrants to resolve their issues without added penalties, including waiving all failure to appear and recall warrants.” He clarified this amnesty applies to City of South Fulton municipal court tickets only and not to Fulton County cases.

On asset forfeiture, Mayor Kobe said the city has seized over $1,000,000 in cash and property since 2019 and proposed action: “So I'll be asking our council in our city to place a moratorium a moratorium on this policy of confiscating people's property until Fulton County can clear the 5 year backlog of our cases, and we have a system and procedures in place to hold people's property until they have exercised their full due process under the law and had a bridal [trial], and return or make reparations for lost property and the earnings from that property of innocent individuals.”

Why it matters: amnesty weeks, court diversion programs and changes to forfeiture practice affect residents’ ability to clear fines and retain property; investments in policing and EMS affect emergency response and crime prevention.

Decisions vs. discussion: The amnesty week was announced as an upcoming city court program (action by municipal court administration). The moratorium on asset forfeiture was presented as a request Mayor Kobe will bring to council, not a council-adopted policy at the event. The city manager reported crime statistics and equipment acquisitions as implemented actions by city departments.

Ending: Officials asked residents to use city channels to learn eligibility for amnesty week and said the mayor will introduce a moratorium proposal to the council for consideration.","Officials credited investments in policing and fire services for a 26% reduction in part I crimes, announced a municipal court amnesty week in July for city tickets, and Mayor Kobe said he will ask the council to place a moratorium on asset forfeiture until backlog and due-process issues are addressed.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":91,"_51":92,"_53":93,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":94,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":95,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6244432,"City of South Fulton reports $14.5 million earned in interest, revenue growth to about $260 million",1532,3606000,5138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230154-3e1a98228163ffd1ea97b476d9cbfed2&start=3606&end=5138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230154-3e1a98228163ffd1ea97b476d9cbfed2/thumbnail_3606000.jpg","/articles/6244432/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/City-of-South-Fulton-reports-145-million-earned-in-interest-revenue-growth-to-about-260-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244432-5626fb3dd7dcf0e17a0c378ef0c4dc7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171455&Signature=jF3a4cMEGucmg4fAgodxs6kJ3wXdm2BurJVhH601ERGg8H5gi7rA5A0adBddgpnW1BvXUCGgHoBufA~SieWLNSfxooVRXykxBcO8zWq5VU~N0uZBLVGnGsCxElaD1HyfGcLE~0B-XoXbPR-bOXrRNWX~PtNfMgKZjITTlyNDRiZ6mHQjF2vMPsaJpdbUB3JwhMq2JdJgvnwgplL7XGtMqLpiLEHjPEKWUXsxK28Lr7Im-9Fu1MkbNr0uPQJvttIgX2v0ZqMyc0FaPMi6Z6SHCHKhHcfJtq1rmVdj4eIYpMouymSRKxmjYoogbY7GQwTIGSeHKK7O3kkB7PJTjW4XZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Sharon Soubadan and Mayor Kobe told attendees that the City of South Fulton has moved city funds into interest-bearing investments and reported substantial revenue growth since incorporation.

“When I arrived in 2023, the city had no interest bearing investments. Our funds are now invested aligning with state guidelines, and we have earned $14,500,000 in interest to date,” City Manager Sharon Soubadan said.

Mayor Kobe said the city’s annual revenues have grown from $26,000,000 in 2017 to nearly $260,000,000 in 2025 and that 55% of recent revenue increases — $165,986,000 — were recorded in the past three years. He also said the city cut its millage rate in 2023 to provide relief to property owners, and that property taxes now account for about one-quarter of the city’s budget, down from more than 40% historically.

Why it matters: changes in revenue mix and newly invested funds affect the city’s capacity to pay for capital projects, operations and programs without borrowing. Officials said the city accomplished land purchases and capital work without incurring debt.

Details and constraints: Soubadan said investments follow state guidelines; no details were provided at the event about the investment instruments, counterparties, or specific reserve policies. Mayor Kobe attributed increased revenues to multiple factors but did not provide a line-item breakdown at the event; he pointed listeners to the city manager’s annual state of the administration report online for more information.

Ending: Officials asked residents to consult the city’s published reports for additional fiscal detail and said transparency efforts, including new financial software integrations, are underway.","City officials said the city now holds interest-bearing investments and reported rapid revenue growth since 2017; property taxes now account for a smaller share of the budget after a 2023 millage rollback.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":99,"_43":100,"_45":101,"_47":102,"_49":103,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6244433,"South Fulton reports hundreds of acres bought; city says permanent city hall and municipal court site secured",2901,3469000,6370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230154-3e1a98228163ffd1ea97b476d9cbfed2&start=3469&end=6370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230154-3e1a98228163ffd1ea97b476d9cbfed2/thumbnail_3469000.jpg","/articles/6244433/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/South-Fulton-reports-hundreds-of-acres-bought-city-says-permanent-city-hall-and-municipal-court-site-secured","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244433-cfbd3bb0fae5ad9c9d840c6d42218a57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171455&Signature=TGpuA9ii92Z-F3fcjY0tphBs8CmCtj3uWVOH-GCZbpqOiVVS~Wj6XHw~PgEOzN-6lGWLXBl2iwyK9dIwwzfbLaub00ixc3aCbGH9CL2DqoS72oFCtOoFHlABafk9ev6P7UsMwyr~LRsUxkJYkx5T10DfukMtb296Fjxee1OXLaqQe-4tddM~VVJ94sDNiZgaXpWvTpSXelr9bw9bdvUao9i1A4b~ylu2ofbjUrkiUPgRSNniahhtXYKsAQ-pcm1pgAtx-af0OwlfwU08PEvFnfB8UGg7NPAagnRQjW5bT31c4YZtQBT4QUKvmcDaWA295eoiPW0tCZvmwVEs2XQRdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Kobe and City Manager Sharon Soubadan told attendees at the City of South Fulton’s eighth-anniversary celebration that the city has acquired several large parcels of land and is planning a permanent city hall and municipal court complex.

“We have acquired 231 acres of land and some buildings for our future growth, including an administration building to house our back end operations, and land for police headquarters, fire rescue headquarters and training, and a future city hall,” City Manager Sharon Soubadan said. She also reported that “another 93 acres was transferred from Fulton County for 424 acres in total at a cost of $15,500,000, all achieved without incurring any debt.”

Mayor Kobe described a broader set of recent purchases, saying the administration has closed on roughly 420 acres overall and that “these nearly 6 acres will be home to our new municipal court complex that we will own.” He said the city now “will be the lenders and not the borrowers” for a permanent city hall and that staff will seek public feedback next year on the building’s design and location.

Why it matters: owning land shifts the city from leasing to ownership for key civic functions and gives officials control over sites for police, fire, courts and administrative offices. City leaders framed the purchases as foundational to long-term operations and neighborhood access.

Details and next steps: Soubadan said the acquisitions include an administration building, a Frederick Administration Building mentioned by council members, 51 acres for a fire safety training facility off Highway 92 and 9 acres for police headquarters on Old National Highway. Mayor Kobe said the municipal court site is near the center of the city and that a public conversation about city hall design and siting will begin next year. He did not give a precise timetable for construction or public meetings beyond that commitment.

What officials directed: Mayor Kobe said the city will start outreach next year to gather resident feedback about the permanent city hall site and design. No ordinance, vote or formal council action to construct a new city hall was announced at the event; the announcements reported completed land purchases and plans for public engagement.

Ending: City officials described the land purchases as a step toward institutional permanence for the young municipality and said additional acreage acquisitions were under negotiation.","City officials announced purchases of hundreds of acres, including parcels for an administration building, police and fire facilities, and a municipal court complex; a permanent city hall site will be selected with public input next year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City highlights $223 million Sandtown Village mixed-use project and international trade efforts

South Fulton touts crime drop, announces municipal court amnesty week and calls for moratorium on asset forfeiture

City of South Fulton reports $14.5 million earned in interest, revenue growth to about $260 million

South Fulton reports hundreds of acres bought; city says permanent city hall and municipal court site secured