The Smyrna City Council has approved creation of an Advisory Committee to oversee the public engagement process relating to the redevelopment of Smyrna First Baptist Church campus property and a previously acquired adjacent parcel, to be known as the “Downtown the Downtown’ project. The church property is nearly nine acres in area and adjacent to the shops and restaurants of Downtown Smyrna. 

The Smyrna First Baptist Church property is in the process of acquisition and the work of the Committee will move forward once ownership transfers. The Committee and City of Smyrna Community Development and Economic Development staff will work with a firm (to be hired by the City) to oversee and assist in the public input/engagement phase.

Decisions on what will be included in the redevelopment have not yet been made. Those are expected to be the result of extensive citizen input and careful market analysis.

Redevelopment Timeline

The ”Downtown the Downtown” Advisory Committee met for the first time on May 2 at Smyrna City Hall to review the timeline and next steps. 

• On May 15, the City will issue a request for proposals for a firm to conduct an update and expansion to the Smyrna BOLD Downtown Master Plan
• Bids will be reviewed and the project is expected to be awarded in August 2024
• A public engagement period is expected to begin in the fall. More details will be released closer to that time. 

“We’re excited about the tremendous opportunity the ‘Downtown the Downtown’ redevelopment offers for the City of Smyrna,” said Travis Lindley, Smyrna Ward 3 Councilman and Committee Chair. “We look forward to a strong and meaningful public engagement process to determine the direction of this redevelopment.”