City schedules Aug. 18 public engagement session on downtown redevelopment

The Smyrna City Council announced a public engagement session on August 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the community center to continue work on redevelopment of the downtown Baptist Church site. Councilmember Travis — who is leading the downtown redevelopment effort — told residents the meeting will present three design options developed from earlier community input and asked citizens to provide specific feedback on what they like or dislike about each alternative. "One of the things we're looking for there is not necessarily whether you like one option or the other, but what you like or don't like about each option," a council member said. Councilmembers encouraged broad participation, saying the options are based on prior community input and further feedback will shape next steps. The council emphasized that the meeting is a chance to provide specific impressions to guide design choices rather than an up-or-down vote between options. The council also noted related public art activities downtown and recent mural dedications as part of broader downtown improvements. The engagement session is the next step in the city's public outreach process for the site and will be held at the community center at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 18.