Mayor and Council Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS — Minutes
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February 02, 2026 7:00 PM City of Smyrna Mayor and Council Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 6 of 12 concept we presented, the four statements below illustrate common themes we heard from the community: · New Retail and Restaurants will make Downtown a Destination People like the idea of a food hub or entertainment venue, since they give a reason for people to come to downtown. · Balance New Housing Types to Include For-Sale Products People would like to see more balance between for-sale and for-rent housing, and would like to consider attainable housing price points. · Traffic/Parking are Concerns The scale of new development may put a stress on congestion and parking availability. Residents would like to see more traffic calming measures, while considering traffic flow. · The Jonquil Mile and new Green Space are Key Anchors The addition of the Jonquil Mile and new green spaces will make downtown more welcoming and accessible for residents and visitors. Implementation Following this plan's adoption, it is recommended for the City of Smyrna to find a development partner(s) to bring the community's priorities to life. This will likely include a procurement process through three likely options: · RFQ/RFP PROCESS The City issues an exploratory RFQ to narrow down the field to qualified developers, and issue a follow up RFP with more detail that asks developers to outline their vision for the site. · RFP PROCESS The City issues a single RFP to solicit proposals from developers, who must prove their qualifications and share a compelling vision for the site. · HYBRID RFP The City issues a single RFP to solicit proposals from developers with a questions period to understand market feedback. The City issues an addendum that clarifies market feedback or provides greater detail. For every option, the City outlines community priorities as determined by this public process! Establishing Community Priorities in an RFQ/P As the city looks for a development partner through a future FQ/P, what should be the City’s key priorities? · Prioritize small, local, and independent businesses – 23 votes · Provide a mix of businesses that serve families and a range of ages – 16 votes · Create a high-level of architectural quality on the street-level and public-facing facades – 23 votes · Provide a mix of residential product types and scale of units – 4 votes · Have a redevelopment that includes a mix of for-sale and for-rent residential products – 2 votes · Ensure a meaningful amount of green space that feel open and welcoming to all Smyrna Residents – 31 votes Implementation Action Plan Establish Design & Community Expectations: Set the standards and tools to guide redevelopment • Update downtown urban design standards • Adopt design guidelines for the 9-acre site and other downtown infill • Align zoning and land use with the Comprehensive Plan • Maintain transparent, ongoing community communication with Smyrna residents • Continues engagement with the Project Advisory Committee Advance Public Realm & Infrastructure Readiness: Prepare streets, open spaces, and infrastructure to support redevelopment