Civil Municipal Magazine Aug 2023

74 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 convention centers. Miller introduces us to a charming facet of College Park’s entertainment scene - the city’s historical golf course. This recreational delight, established in 1929, became a part of the convention center’s repertoire just a year and a half ago and has since been incorporated into its marketing material. “We hold events there, and our clients can have a little fun at the golf course during their events here,” Miller shares. This vibrant golfing green is soon to be connected to the city by an architecturally intriguing bridge set for completion in late fall. The bridge, a stunning addition to the landscape, is more than just a link - it’s a statement piece that lends a “wow factor” to the city. “As you drive down Camp Creek and you see this red bridge going over, it draws your eyes right to the convention center,” Miller beams. The planned bridge also connects to College Park, opening up the city’s culinary delights to the convention center’s guests. Miller further explains the convenience of the transportation system, “On the Skytrain, one of the stops is here at the GICC. The next stop is the car rental facility.” SixWest: The Promising Epicenter of Growth and Development College Park’s economic pulse and aspirations center on the ambitious SixWest project. “Our primary focus has been getting investors into our SixWest site,” Michelle Alexander, Economic Development Director for the City of College Park, articulates. The city is currently under contract talks in the hopes to bring this project forward. When describing SixWest, Alexander paints an inviting picture: “It’s a wide boulevard connecting Camp Creek, running through a major couple hundred-acre site, that’s designed to foster a harmonious mix of retail, commercial, sports, and entertainment sectors.” The site, bound on one side by the city’s hospitality offerings, on the other side by historic College Park and a Marta station, and soon to be home to new residential development, perfectly embodies the city’s vision for a dynamic, well-rounded urban ecosystem. Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as their local bureau, the ATL District Destination Marketing Organization. The symbiotic relationship between these establishments, local transportation, hotels, and the airport creates a seamless experience for visitors. A Nexus of Connectivity: Airports, Golf Courses, and Bridges “The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of our biggest partners,” Miller reveals, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between the city and one of the world’s busiest airports. The airport doesn’t simply exist alongside the city - it is intrinsically intertwined with the city’s fabric. “You can get off your plane, catch the ATL Skytrain, and be at the convention center in less than five minutes,” Miller elucidates. The immediate proximity and easy accessibility are unique features few cities can boast of. However, it’s not all about airports and