Smyrna council adopts downtown redevelopment plan after yearlong public process

Smyrna — After a year of public engagement, the Smyrna City Council voted to adopt the Smyrna Downtown Redevelopment Plan and authorized the mayor to execute related documents.

MKSK, the urban design firm that led the process, presented a preferred concept for the First Baptist Church site that centers on preserving the historic chapel, creating a connected public-realm called the "Jonquil Mile," and adding mixed uses to extend downtown. The firm said the plan resulted from three phases of work and multiple public meetings and outreach tools. "This is a presentation of the Smyrna Downtown Development Plan," the consultant told the council, adding that a 100-page plan with visuals and an implementation chapter is available online.

Why it matters: Council members and the consultant emphasized that the project is intended to double the walkable core of downtown over time, anchor redevelopment around the preserved chapel and new public green, and support ground-floor retail and dining that residents said they wanted. Councilman Lindley…