Forest Park, Georgia

The City of Inclusive Development

 

Exploring a Vision for Holistic Infrastructure and Community Growth

For the residents of Forest Park, Georgia, enjoying a great quality of life is something  that is cherished every day. With a community feel that embraces its residents and a  city leadership that fosters strong partnerships with developers and investors, Forest  Park continues to experience dynamic growth.

Forest Park is also a city that maintains a commitment to community-oriented  projects that enhance the everyday lives of its residents.

Initiatives like affordable senior housing, enhanced public safety through better  lighting, and pedestrian-friendly downtown spaces have been key to nurturing a  strong, inclusive community.

By addressing these needs, Forest Park ensures that its growth doesn’t outpace its  ability to support its citizens and remains steadfast in its efforts to balance  modernization with preservation.

The city stands at the forefront of change, driven by a vision that balances its unique  heritage with forward-looking infrastructure improvements. Its rich history and  close-knit community are as much a part of its future as its new developments.

Thanks to proactive and community-focused leadership, Forest Park has become a  city where every resident feels secure, engaged, and proud to call home — a place  where growth is felt not just in numbers but in the strength and vibrancy of the  community itself.

Promoting the Forest Park Story

Forest Park stands as Clayton County’s largest municipality, perfectly positioned near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and roughly 10 miles from  downtown Atlanta.

With a population of nearly 20,000 residents (and counting), the city is embarking on  a series of transformative projects that encompass everything from transportation  and housing to water systems and public safety.

Thanks to its well-rounded promotion strategy, leadership anticipates that the city’s  current growth rate won’t slow down anytime soon.

“Promotion is more than just marketing. It’s about showcasing the very essence of  who we are, highlighting our unique attributes, celebrating achievements, and then  inviting the world to experience what makes our city exceptional,” says City Manager  Ricky L. Clark, Jr.

Thanks to city officials like Public Information Officer Javon Anthony Lloyd, the city  frequently updates its database of 30,000+ individuals on current and new projects  on the horizon, while maintaining close relations with local media outlets like FOX 5 Atlanta and 11Alive and WSB-TV.

“It all boils down to telling the Forest Park story. We not only have economic  development, great parks, and amenities, but our community is also very vibrant  and diverse. It’s my job to make sure I’m using every tool possible to get that  message out,” Lloyd explains.

While outreach and promotion have been key, Forest Park also focuses on having  amenities that could attract further growth and activity to the area.

For example, the city recruited a state-of-the-art 547,000-square-foot film  production facility named BlueStar Studios. Once fully complete, it will be a fully  renovated headquarters with 18 different sound stages, ready to support hundreds  of production crews through Metro Atlanta.

This comes in addition to a new 200,000-square-foot Forest Park City Center that  will encompass all of city facilities excluding public works and the fire department.

One of the city’s most pressing challenges is ensuring that its infrastructure can  keep pace with its steady growth.

As Clark points out, there is no “first, second, or third” priority when it comes to  infrastructure. The city’s approach is holistic, addressing all key areas simultaneously  to ensure that no critical facet of the community’s foundation is neglected.

A Balanced Resolution to Residential Issues

“We can’t stop the growth of the city just because we’re waiting on funding for  roads,” Clark explains. “You have to continue working on all areas simultaneously.”

This proactive attitude underpins Forest Park’s multifaceted strategy for  improvement, where no area is allowed to deteriorate or be delayed in favor of  another. As the population continues to rise, each piece of the puzzle must be

addressed in concert, maintaining both the safety and quality of life for Forest Park’s  residents.

At the heart of Forest Park’s strategy is the enhancement of its road and water  systems. The city currently supports a population of nearly 20,000 residents, all  relying on an aging infrastructure that needs consistent upgrades to meet new  demands.

The roadways, while not in critical condition, need to be improved gradually as traffic  volumes increase.

Water systems, similarly, require maintenance and expansion to support the  growing population. Clark emphasizes that these improvements cannot be delayed — patching and piecemeal solutions must be continuously applied while the city  works toward long-term fixes.

Simultaneously, Forest Park is focusing on addressing the needs of its senior  population, whom Clark refers to as the city’s “legacy residents.”

As these residents move into their later years, they are seeking more manageable  housing options that allow them to remain part of the community without the  burden of maintaining large homes.

The development of communities like Forest Station, which offers affordable one and two-bedroom housing for residents aged 55 and older, is a prime example of  how the city is catering to this demographic.

Clark emphasizes the importance of ensuring seniors can “age in place” rather than  being forced out due to a lack of suitable housing options. This focus on affordable,  community-centric housing aligns with Forest Park’s broader goals of inclusivity and  sustainability.

Forest Park is not only about maintaining its existing charm but also about  embracing modern innovations. When asked about residents’ reactions to the city’s  growth, Clark notes that the community is excited about the changes.

“Our residents are more excited about the future,” he says, pointing to the city’s  ability to balance tradition with progress. Residents still recognize Forest Park as the  place they grew up in, but they also see the benefits of modernizing infrastructure  and amenities.

Lloyd adds that the city’s “ONE Light” initiative is a key part of this modernization  effort. Through a partnership with Georgia Power, the city is replacing outdated HID  light fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights.

This project improves safety by increasing visibility in dark areas to reduce crime in  previously under-lit regions. “Lighting is one critical component of infrastructure that  not a lot of people realize,” Lloyd explains.

The initiative represents just one piece of the city’s larger plan to enhance public  safety and create a more welcoming environment for all residents.

In tandem with lighting upgrades, Forest Park is investing in a pedestrian bridge  downtown, connecting key city attractions like City Hall, Starr Park, and local shops.

This walkability improvement is part of the city’s Main Street redevelopment, which  has already completed phases to add sidewalks, plant trees, and revitalize the area’s  overall appeal.

These projects aim to make Forest Park more pedestrian-friendly, inviting, and  vibrant.

 

A Thriving Future on the Horizon

While Forest Park is deeply invested in its current projects, the city’s leadership is  even more excited about what’s to come. Though specific economic development  projects are under non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), Clark teases major  undertakings that will further bolster the city’s economic vitality.

“Forest Park has always been a city of promise,” Clark says, and his goal is to make  that promise more bold and inclusive. The city is working diligently to attract new  businesses and industries that align with this vision, enhancing its downtown district  and other key areas.

Among the more publicized projects is the renovation of Starr Park, a centerpiece in  the city’s downtown revitalization efforts.

This park will undergo a complete transformation, becoming a hub for community  gatherings and leisure located just outside City Hall.

In addition, the development of 29 new townhomes along Main Street will bring  more residents to the area, contributing to the ongoing redevelopment of the  district.

The city’s plans extend beyond residential and recreational projects.

One of the more innovative initiatives is the transformation of a vacant Rite Aid building into a modern brick-and-mortar incubator space.

Dubbed “The Grapevine,” the project will provide culinary entrepreneurs with  kitchen space, flex offices, and opportunities to grow their businesses without the  burden of securing a permanent brick-and-mortar location.

The incubator will house three restaurants and offer aspiring chefs a chance to  experiment, grow, and eventually launch successful businesses of their own. The  project is emblematic of Forest Park’s commitment to nurturing local talent and  fostering economic growth from within.

Forest Park leadership is particularly proud of these efforts, noting that the incubator  will not only boost the local economy but also “allow for new builds, new lighting,  and a community that residents can be proud of.”

This multi-pronged strategy ensures that no area of the city is left behind as it  prepares for the future.

Forest Park follows a vision where every resident — whether a senior citizen looking  for affordable housing or a young entrepreneur launching a business — can thrive.

“We want to create a city that everyone can be proud of,” Clark says. “With so much  progress already being made, it’s clear that Forest Park is well on its way to  becoming a model of sustainable, inclusive growth.”

AT A GLANCE

The City of Forest Park

What: A rising city developing holistically through inclusive investments, community focused initiatives, and economic diversity.

Where: Clayton County, Georgia (Approximately 10 miles south of downtown Atlanta and close to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)

Website: https://www.forestparkga.gov