WWW.VILLARICA.ORG Villa Rica G E O R G I A A THRIVING GEORGIA HUB BALANCING GROWTH AND TRADITION
VILLA RICA, GA A THRIVING GEORG BALANCING GROW TRADITION AT A GLANCE VILLA RICA WHAT: A growing city focused on downtown revitalization, housing, and commercial development WHERE: Georgia, USA WEBSITE: www.villarica.org A CIVIC FOCUS ON RE DOWNTOWN, EXPAN CREATING LOCAL JO 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
GIA HUB WTH AND EVITALIZING NDING HOUSING, AND OB OPPORTUNITIES Villa Rica, Georgia, seamlessly intertwines small-town charm with steady growth. Situated 35 miles west of Atlanta, this historic town was once known for its gold rush history and agricultural roots. Today, Villa Rica finds itself at the crossroads of balancing its rich past with the demands of a rapidly growing population. Like many across the country, the city faces challenges 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
in the wake of the pandemic. Yet, it continues to attract new residents and businesses, making it a notable contender in the ever-evolving metro Atlanta region. As Mayor Leslie McPherson explains, the effects of the pandemic have left a lasting mark on the city’s business landscape.“We’ve suffered to a degree with inflation and are still dealing with the hangover from Covid,” she notes candidly. Like so many nationwide, local businesses have felt the strain. The mayor acknowledges that while Villa Rica is recovering, other cities have bounced back more swiftly. The city has seen a slower rebound, but it’s not without its successes. Despite these economic hurdles, residential construction is one area of marked growth in Villa Rica. Mayor McPherson describes the surge in housing development, ranging from single-family homes to townhouses and apartments.“We’ve added hundreds of additional residences,” she says, pointing out that this growth is in response to the nationwide housing shortage. The city has seen a boom in both homeownership and rental properties, particularly townhomes—something Villa Rica had previously lacked. However, the mayor is clear that this rapid expansion has its limits. The city has temporarily paused multifamily housing projects with a sixmonth moratorium to assess their impact on local infrastructure. “The density of multifamily housing means you’re putting a lot more people into a small area,” she explains, indicating the strain on resources like roads, water, and sewer systems. While Villa Rica produces a significant amount of its water, it also relies on neighboring counties for additional supply. Managing this balance is critical, and Mayor McPherson emphasizes the need for a sustainable approach to growth. A STRATEGIC LOCATION AND LIFESTYLE APPEAL Villa Rica’s geographical position between two major southern cities—Atlanta and Birmingham—plays a significant role in shaping the city’s appeal. This prime location offers residents easy access to urban amenities while allowing them to live in a quieter, 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 VILLA RICA, GA
more affordable setting. “When you consider where we’re located, just off of I-20 between Atlanta and Birmingham, we have access to so many things,” Mayor McPherson notes. She points out that although Villa Rica may not have the same level of dining and entertainment options as its larger neighbors, nearby Carrollton offers a growing array of restaurants and attractions. Plus, the short commute to Atlanta—just 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic—means that residents can easily access top-tier medical facilities, cultural events, and the airport without being entrenched in the hustle and bustle of city life. “We’re also probably a 20-minute drive from the Silver Comet Trail,” Mayor McPherson adds.The trail, popular with cyclists and hikers, stretches from the edge of Atlanta into Alabama, offering locals an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, whether biking long distances or simply taking a leisurely walk. For water enthusiasts, kayaking is available just a short drive from Tallapoosa. “Everything is not right here in the city, but where we’re oriented with everything around us is a big advantage for residents,” the mayor says, describing how the surrounding resources make Villa Rica a compelling place to live. In addition to its geographic appeal, Villa Rica has cultivated a reputation for its vibrant local events. One of the most anticipated gatherings is the city’s annual July 3rd celebration. “People come from all over to our July 3rd event,” Mayor McPherson says. The daylong festival features more than just fireworks—bouncy houses, live bands, and local vendors transform the event into a family-friendly experience. “It’s a late afternoon into the late-night event,” she adds, highlighting the sense of community that Villa Rica continues to engender through these celebrations. REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN AND EXPANDING INDUSTRIAL SPACE Villa Rica continues to grow, and attention is increasingly shifting to revitalizing its historic downtown and expanding industrial opportunities. The Interim City Manager, Jeff Reese, shares that the city is working on plans to enhance downtown walkability. 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
Great Care, Right Here. Find quality and convenience at your hometown hospital. ► 24-hour emergency care in an expanded emergency department ► Accredited chest pain center ► Certified primary stroke center ► Interventional cardiac care featuring angioplasty and stenting ► Comfortable, spacious maternity suites ► Advanced minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical services ► State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging ► A team of providers specializing in: • Allergies and asthma • Behavioral health • Cancer care • Ear, nose and throat care • Gastroenterology • Gynecologic and obstetric care • Heart care • Neurology • Ophthalmology • Orthopedics • Pediatrics • Primary care • Sleep medicine • Surgical care • Urology • Vascular medicine • Women’s care • And more Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica 601 Dallas Highway | Villa Rica, GA 30180 | 770-812-3000 To learn more, visit tanner.org.
HAVING GREAT MEDICAL CARE CLOSE BY IS ABOUT MORE THAN CONVENIENCE — IT CAN BE LIFESAVING. Tanner Health has made sure the people of Carroll, Douglas and Paulding counties don’t have to go far for exceptional care. Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica serves you and your loved ones with a full range of services and an extensive medical staff of primary care and specialty providers. With 24-hour emergency care from a team of board-certified emergency medicine providers to a medical staff with specialties ranging from allergies and asthma to vascular surgery, Tanner Health’s Villa Rica campus is a destination for health for area residents. The hospital is an accredited chest pain center, offering interventional cardiac services like angioplasty and stenting. It’s also a primary stroke center, with quick care to reduce the risk of death and disability when a stroke strikes. Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica also provides maternity and women’s care, with large labor and delivery suites and a team of experienced gynecology and obstetric specialists. And the hospital’s recently constructed surgery center offers care with the latest minimally invasive options — including robotic-assisted surgery — as well as orthopedic surgery and a range of other surgical solutions. The facility is just one facet of Tanner Health’s presence in Villa Rica. Nearby, the Willowbrooke at Tanner behavioral health hospital offers short-term inpatient and partial hospitalization care for psychiatric concerns. The facility is supported by the Willowbrooke Psychiatric Center and Willowbrooke Counseling Center in the Tanner at Mirror Lake medical office building. Tanner Urgent Care is also available at the Mirror Lake facility, with walk-in care for minor medical emergencies and convenient weekday, weekend and evening hours.The site also offers primary care practices and sits adjacent to Tanner’s The Birches at Villa Rica, a unique senior living and memory care option that’s an integrated part of Tanner Health. Get more on Tanner Health’s services and locations — and find a medical provider for you — at tanner.org.
“We just met with a group on some funding opportunities,” he says. Villa Rica is exploring architectural designs to create more pedestrianfriendly pathways and public spaces. One of the more ambitious ideas includes reviving the Gold Nugget Trail, a project initially aimed to connect downtown through a network of trails similar to Carrollton’s Greenbelt system.“As new developments come in, the trail would be expanded through that development,” Reese explains, pointing to a broader vision of integrating green space into Villa Rica’s ongoing growth. For Mayor McPherson, the character of Villa Rica’s downtown is shaped by its independent, locally owned businesses—a focus the city is working hard to preserve. “You can go to any city and find a big chain store,” she remarks, but what makes Villa Rica unique are the small, family-run businesses that line its historic streets. Even so, one challenge Villa Rica faces downtown is vacancy. While facade grants are already in place to help restore storefronts, more work must be done to fill these empty spaces.“We have more vacancies than before Covid,” Mayor McPherson admits.The city is on track to remedy this but recognizes that the road to recovery for small businesses is far from easy. Local residents play a critical role in this resurgence. “They do need residents believing and shopping local,” she emphasizes, reiterating the importance of community support in sustaining Villa Rica’s unique downtown identity. Outside of the downtown core, Villa Rica is nearing full capacity in its existing industrial park, signaling a need for future expansion. “Unless we buy more property, what we currently have for industrial is full,” Mayor McPherson says.There is little space left, with only one potential vacancy, and the city is actively searching for new locations to support industrial growth. Carroll Tomorrow, an economic development arm of the local Chamber of Commerce, has also started shifting focus from primarily industrial to 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 VILLA RICA, GA
E.R. Snell Contractors, Inc., headquartered in Snellville, Georgia, has been a cornerstone of the construction and infrastructure industry since its founding in 1923. Emerging during the rapid rise of automobile travel, the company quickly adapted to the evolving needs of the region by specializing in vital infrastructure such as culverts, walls, and bridges along Georgia’s roads and highways. With over a century of experience, E.R. Snell leads the industry in robust safety practices, holding numerous OSHA certifications and implementing comprehensive training, inspections, and protocols. This commitment ensures the safest possible environment for both employees and customers, reinforcing the company’s dedication to integrity and responsibility. E.R. Snell is also deeply rooted in family, recognizing that strong family values foster a supportive work culture.This goes beyond the workplace, promoting a sense of community among employees and their families. The company remains committed to serving customers of all sizes while upholding the core values that form the foundation of its operations. Integrity, honesty, and fiscal responsibility guide every project and interaction, fostering trust and reliability. E.R. Snell’s core values—Embody Integrity, Bring Your Best, Have Each Other’s Back, and Put Families First—reflect a culture prioritizing collaboration and support. As E.R. Snell Contractors continues to grow, it remains dedicated to building the road ahead for future generations while ensuring safety and excellence.
include commercial development, particularly in areas like downtown where businesses are struggling to bounce back post-pandemic. INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONNECTIVITY As Villa Rica looks to accommodate its expanding population and increasing commercial interest, infrastructure, and road improvements have become critical focal points for its leadership. Reese is optimistic about the future, particularly regarding industrial growth. “Development is finding us, which is a good thing,” he says, referring to industrial clients’ recent uptick in interest.Villa Rica’s location along I-20—situated between Birmingham and Atlanta—has proven to be one of its strongest assets, and the upcoming north bypass will provide even more industrial space. While commercial and industrial development is advancing, maintaining and improving critical infrastructure is equally essential. Regarding internet access, Villa Rica is in a relatively strong position compared to more rural parts of Carroll County. “We’re not as rural as some areas that have struggled,” Mayor McPherson points out. However, traffic remains a significant concern, especially with Villa Rica being a hub for local and commuter traffic. Reese elaborates,“State highways and an interstate crisscross us, and that brings with it a problem.” The city recently conducted a comprehensive traffic study, confirming what many locals already knew: many of the cars clogging Villa Rica’s streets are outside the city.“A lot of folks that come through to Villa Rica don’t live here,” Reese notes, explaining that commuters use the city as a pass-through to get to their homes further west or north. This heavy traffic flow presents complications, particularly with the influx of 18-wheelers adding to the congestion. “We can do all the moratoriums we want on buildings here,” he adds, “but that doesn’t solve the issue of non-residents passing through.” 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 VILLA RICA, GA
Spurred by the City of Villa Rica’s desire to connect Mirror Lake Boulevard to the growing downtown area, this site was selected to create a premier mixed-use development with best in class residential and retail. The 56 acre site will also help meet the demands of Carroll County’s need for housing to support the growing industrial use companies migrating to the city and county. Villa Rica Town Center includes Publix, Wendy’s, Dunkin, Smoothie King, Chase Bank, Mavis Tires, Jerimiah’s Italian Ice, Georgia Vision Institute, Great Clips, Jersey Mike’s, San Andres Mexican Restaurant among others, all surrounded by single-family and multi-family residential options. The city’s planned road improvements will allow for a retail and entertainment corridor that connects the thriving downtown Villa Rica community and the shopping center.
The anticipated north bypass will help address this by rerouting heavy trucks from downtown. Mayor McPherson echoes the significance of this project, emphasizing how it will relieve the city’s main arteries. “That will remove those big semi-trucks that come through the middle of our downtown,” she says. This development, combined with other road projects, will enhance Villa Rica’s connectivity and alleviate pressure on the city’s current roadways, many overburdened. Reese explains, “Everybody basically empties on the same three or four roads, which all end up on I-20.” This lack of connectivity forces a bottleneck, and the city is actively working with the state to widen roads and create more routes for local traffic. In addition to the bypass, Villa Rica is investing in smaller road projects that will offer residents more options for getting around. Mayor McPherson highlights ongoing developments, including a new road connection that will help link different parts of the city without relying on state highways. “I drove by where a major clearing is going on; that’s going to provide a nice connection in the middle of the city,” she says. These small but significant improvements will reduce the need for residents to pour out onto the city’s main thoroughfares, easing congestion. Although smaller in scale, these efforts are part of a larger plan to improve connectivity throughout Villa Rica. “I’ve been in those cities where you get off the highways, and they’ve got a long corridor like Dallas does,” McPherson says, adding that while Villa Rica doesn’t yet have that level of infrastructure, the WaltonTrail.com Walton Trail Brand new affordable community Coming fall 2025 11 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 VILLA RICA, GA
multifamily dwellings that are in the process. We have workforce housing.We have senior communities that are planned,” he says. Unlike some communities that focus on catering to one segment, Villa Rica is intentional about its inclusivity.“We’re not trying to just be a community of millennials or any particular generation,” he explains. For Mayor McPherson, housing remains a top priority, but the ultimate goal is to reduce the number of city is working toward a version that suits its size and needs. LOOKING AHEAD: A FOCUS ON HOUSING, WORKFORCE, AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT In Villa Rica, the next 18 months will see efforts to ensure the city doesn’t just grow in size but also opportunity. Reese is particularly proud of the city’s efforts to diversify housing options. “We have 12 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
residents commuting long distances for work. “We don’t want all those people to leave, as a vast majority of our population does, and drive to Atlanta for work,” she says. To tackle this, the city focuses heavily on developing its commercial sector, aiming to create more local job opportunities to keep residents working closer to home. The mayor is especially passionate about revitalizing Villa Rica’s historic downtown. “Revitalizing our historic downtown is probably top of the list,” she emphasizes. While the city’s basic infrastructure and recreation services are always a priority, the mayor is personally committed to breathing new life into the downtown area. She believes that enhancing downtown will draw more visitors and encourage local businesses to thrive. However, commercial development isn’t just limited to downtown; the city is also working on bringing in businesses outside the core, aiming to give residents more local shopping options and employment options. In the months ahead, Villa Rica’s leadership is on a course toward thoughtful, inclusive growth. By addressing the city’s housing needs, building stronger commercial opportunities, and reinforcing the collaboration between government and local institutions, the city is positioning itself for a future where current and new residents can live, work, and thrive without looking outside their community for opportunity. 13 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 VILLA RICA, GA
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Tanner Health www.tanner.org Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica is an acute care hospital offering maternity care, inpatient care, intensive care, interventional cardiac services with angioplasty and stenting, advanced diagnostic imaging services, a new emergency department and surgical services center, as well as a host of other services. n E.R. Snell Contractors, Inc. www.ersnell.com E.R. Snell Contractors, Inc., headquartered in Snellville, Georgia, has been a trusted construction leader since 1923. Initially founded to meet the demands of automobile travel, we specialize in building essential infrastructure. Our mission emphasizes integrity, honesty, and fiscal responsibility, guided by core values that prioritize family and collaboration. n Fuqua Development www.fuquadevelopment.com Fuqua Development LP was established in March 2012 by Jeff Fuqua, Principal, and Heather Correa, Partner. Fuqua Development has successfully completed many notable projects such as The Braves Battery Atlanta at Truist Park, and has multiple mixed-use projects under construction or in development throughout metro Atlanta. Fuqua is synonymous with bold, innovative, cutting-edge, mixed-use developments in urban and suburban settings. n Walton Communities www.waltontrail.com Walton Trail is a brand-new Villa Rica community offering 1, 2, and 3-bedroom, affordable apartment homes. Pre-leasing begins fall 2025. The community neighbors The Legacy at Walton Trail, our 55+ community. Residents will enjoy spacious apartment homes, beautiful landscaping, a playground, and dedicated service from our on-site team. We look forward to welcoming you home! n PrintPack www.printpack.com Printpack offers flexible packaging solutions with capabilities like flexography, rotogravure, and digital printing. They specialize in adhesive and extrusion lamination, blown film, and packaging design, ensuring safety and quality with FSSC 22000 certification. Their approach emphasizes innovation, flexibility, and sustainability, providing custom solutions for businesses across various industries. 14 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
WWW.VILLARICA.ORG WWW.BUSINESSVIEWMAGAZINE.COM AS FEATURED IN Villa Rica GA
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