Forest Park GA

10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10 Additionally, Forest Park is working on an economic development package aimed at attracting businesses to the area. This package will showcase key aspects of the community, including its strategic location near major intersections and proximity to Atlanta, while also emphasizing the enduring southern charm and affordable cost of living. Bringing a Big City Vibe Placing importance on improving the appeal of the downtown core, the city has also embarked on beautification and walkability efforts, to attract more dining, entertainment, and cultural amenities to the community. “That’s how you bring in dollars, that’s how you bring in investments, that’s how you bring people to your city,” Lloyd suggests. Recalling his own experience of growing up in a poor community, Clark shares how special it felt to visit Atlanta as a child, for its tall buildings, restaurants, and the quality of life it represented. He says, “One of the things that we have focused on, in addition to looking at the restaurants and diversifying the housing portfolio on Main Street is also activating the area. Why should people have to travel 30 minutes to get good quality entertainment or good festivals? We’re bringing that right to their back door.” As a community dedicated to progress and growth, Forest Park will continue to emphasize the importance of community engagement, branding, and preserving the city’s historical character while promoting positive change. As for what the future holds, Clark concludes, “Collectively we want to ensure that we’re providing a city where people are comfortable walking and shopping in neighborhoods at all hours of the day, a community where beautiful landscaping replaces the notion of litter, a city where we continue to lock onto each other until we get this job done. I firmly believe that that’s the reality that we can build when we build it together.” PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Clayton County Office of Economic Development www.claytoncountyga.gov Discover the driving force behind Clayton County’s prosperity. The Office of Economic Development is your gateway to a thriving community. We’re dedicated to fostering growth, attracting businesses, and creating jobs. Explore how we’re shaping a vibrant future for our county. Where the World Lands and Opportunities Take Off. n Robinson Weeks Partners RobinsonWeeks.com Robinson Weeks Partners is an Atlanta based industrial real estate development and investment firm. Privately held, it sponsors real estate funds and structures joint ventures to develop speculative industrial buildings, multi- phased projects and customized built-to-suits throughout the United States.