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Smyrna council authorizes DDA bond for former Emory hospital site and schedules public input for Baptist church downtown parcel
Summary
Council approved a resolution enabling the Downtown Smyrna Development Authority to issue up to $11.75 million in Series 2025 taxable revenue bonds to acquire the former Emory hospital site; the mayor also announced a public drop-in on April 28 for planning of the 9-acre Smyrna First Baptist Church site downtown.
The Smyrna Mayor and Council on Monday approved a resolution enabling the Downtown Smyrna Development Authority (DDA) to issue Series 2025 federally taxable revenue bonds not to exceed $11,750,000 to purchase and prepare the former Emory Adventist Hospital property on South Cobb Drive.
Mister Bennett, speaking for city staff, told council the Downtown Smyrna Development Authority is under contract with Emory University to buy about 12.72 acres at and around 3903–3949 and 3967 South Cobb Drive; the bond proceeds would be used for purchase, demolition, site development and issuance costs. “Finance and economic development staff recommend adoption,” Bennett said.
Mayor Derek Norton said the city has asked Emory about preferred future uses and that the council hopes to prioritize recreational and community-focused uses rather than a high-rise apartment-only plan. “We thought we could probably bring some other uses that are more recreational based or something that the community can really be proud of,” the mayor said.
Councilmember Gould, who spoke during the item, cautioned that demolition is not imminent and that existing tenants — physician groups and a pharmacy leasing space from Emory — would continue until the city and DDA complete master planning. “That’s not something that’s gonna happen anytime soon,” Gould said, urging calm among current occupants.
Councilman Gould moved adoption of resolution 2025-008; Councilmember Oglesby seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting also opened public outreach for a separate downtown parcel: Mayor Norton invited residents to a drop-in public input session on Monday, April 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the large gym at the Smyrna Community Center to discuss plans for the expansion of downtown at the Smyrna First Baptist Church site. The mayor said the church property is approximately 9 acres and that a recent survey of residents yielded more than 2,000 individual responses. “We’re thrilled that the public is engaging on this,” Norton said.
City staff said the Emory site purchase and related work will follow the DDA’s master plan process and that leases with current tenants will be honored while planning continues. Council emphasized that any demolition or redevelopment will come after public planning and additional approvals.
