Lovejoy, Georgia – Clayton County

October 31, 2024

Lovejoy, Georgia

‘Where Love Meets Joy’

A City of Growth, Prosperity and Community

In Lovejoy, they have a saying, “Lovejoy is the city where love meets joy. So come fall in love in Lovejoy.” However, this Georgian city has much more to offer than a charming name. It’s a community celebrating a rich history and a bright future, combining a small-town feel with the benefits of big-city services.

Of course, love and joy are truly at the heart of its identity, and the sense of community spirit and connection is evident. Visitors are drawn to the peaceful parks, the vibrant local events, and the welcoming atmosphere. Residents take pride in their surroundings, and there is a collective effort towards building and sustaining the thriving community. ” We call it the village. We all play our part in making sure that the city is vibrant, strong and moving forward,” expresses Mayor Marci Fluellyn.

Once known for its quiet, rural atmosphere, Lovejoy has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. Fluellyn, who was a council member for 16 years prior to becoming mayor, knows her community well, and notes that this growth is no accident. “We have this positive, beautiful momentum that’s moving forward, because it’s a team that has strategically been working together for years to improve the quality of life in the community of Lovejoy,” she relays.

Today, Lovejoy is one of the fastest-growing cities in Georgia, ranking in the top 10 statewide for residential growth. This population boom is just the beginning. “It was the stepping stone that led us into the economic development that we’re doing in Lovejoy now,” Fluellyn adds.

Currently, downtown Lovejoy is undergoing a rejuvenation, hoping to attract more enterprises. “We have plenty of parking,” says the mayor. “What we’re focusing on is making sure that there is a reason for you to park in those parking lots and walk around.” The goal is to attract small businesses, restaurants, and entertainment options, aligning with the intention to create more of a “Main Street,” vibe.

“We will be beautifying our section of the Clayton corridor, Tara Boulevard, doing some landscaping and some signage to let people know you’re stepping into a place of excellence, where the municipality and the residents have a strong pride of place,” Mayor Fluellyn touts. “You will see landscape, you will see lighting, benches, trash cans, you will see a clean area. The beautification plan is one that will bring pride, not only to our residents, but those of Clayton County and the surrounding area.”

Community Spaces

The city’s parks and green spaces are central to the quality of life for its residents, and Bobby Cartwright Mayor’s Park is one of the jewels, offering an inviting space in the heart of downtown. With its scenic walking trail, pond and a beloved marquee depicting, “I Love Lovejoy, the park is central to the community. “That is the main gathering place when it comes to our events, our community outreach. That is the place where we go to distribute our services into the community, because it’s where everyone loves to meet,” Mayor Fluellyn describes.

This expansive park is also home to many of the city’s most popular events, including the annual Fall Festival, back-to-school drives, Christmas celebrations, and a new event, Praise in the Park, which will bring the community together in faith and celebration.

Families can also enjoy basketball courts, a children’s play center, and a gazebo, offering parents a shaded area to watch their children play. Additionally, the park houses Lovejoy’s downtown marketplace, where local vendors can rent spaces and sell their products, and a restaurant featuring food to go.

Across Tara Boulevard, Green Park is undergoing a transformation. Once a vibrant community space, the park has faced challenges due to vandalism, but Mayor Fluellyn views this as an opportunity.

She expands, “It rose as a chance to step in and completely wipe the slate clean and do a brand new fresh development. We have a lot of new residents that are on that street, so we will have a community team put together, and they will be a part of the decision process of what goes into that park for their children to enjoy in that location.” Ideas include a bicycle park, skate park, STEM math park, and a toddler’s playground.

Housing Initiatives

One of the keys to growth has been the city’s focus on housing and meeting the diverse needs of residents. “It’s all about serving the people,” Fluellyn states. “There are 15,000 plus residents in the city of Lovejoy. That is who Lovejoy is, and so we want to speak and be advocates for what they want to see in their city.”

In collaboration with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Lovejoy is successfully developing vibrant communities, transforming the lives of many families. Designed for workforce and first time homeowners, the city’s affordable housing project will introduce 400 new ranch-style homes, all under 1,500 square feet. In addition to affordable options, Lovejoy offers a range of housing to meet the needs of residents at different stages of life, including step-up homes for growing families and affluent housing options for those seeking their dream home.

A senior housing project is also in the works, bringing 80 to 100 new residences for the aging population. Moreover, Lovejoy’s housing authority is exploring rental options, including single-family homes, as a way to control rising prices and offer more affordable living choices.

Valued Partnerships

Lovejoy is a city that has mastered the art of collaboration, maintaining strong partnerships, and ensuring that the needs of the community are met. One notable relationship is with Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, an organization helping to spotlight Lovejoy’s growth and transformation.

“They will be partners in our economic development luncheon, and also for our state of address, the very first state of address to take place in Lovejoy, in February of 2025,” the mayor reports. The city also benefits greatly from its relationships with the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Clayton County Commissioners.

Lovejoy is also working with Georgia Power on new initiatives, and AT&T has become a significant partner, giving back to the youth by donating laptops and supporting other community needs. Fluellyn highlights the support of major corporations like Walmart, Home Depot, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Panera Bread, who have also been generous contributors to city events.

Business Attraction

One of Lovejoy’s top priorities is economic development, and Mayor Fluellyn points out the importance of understanding the resources at hand, particularly when it comes to available land and zoning. With a new economic development manager on board, Lovejoy is currently conducting a thorough inventory of both public and privately-owned parcels to determine how best to market the city to potential businesses.

“Now that we have those rooftops, our position in economic development changes,” she illustrates, “Now we can be a little bit more selective on the kind of businesses that come In, because we have what they’re looking for, which is clients.” The city plans to host an economic development luncheon later this year to highlight available parcels and discuss zoning, with a focus on attracting businesses that will benefit from Lovejoy’s growing population.

As for the types of enterprises Lovejoy is hoping to attract, she recounts, “The citizens have made their voices very clear. They are looking for upper scale restaurants, linen tablecloth fine dining, they want some local bars to watch the game, spend time with their friends, and a place to take their families for entertainment, like bowling, laser tag, indoor mini golfing, things of that sort.”

The overarching desire among residents is to have these amenities in their own city, so they can avoid driving an hour away to enjoy dining and entertainment. “A community thrives when you can keep the dollar circulating in that very community, and that’s what they’re asking for,” she stresses.

With this in mind, the city is eager to demonstrate how easy it is to develop in Lovejoy, as they work to attract the types of businesses that will enhance quality of life for residents. “Panera Bread said it best- that it was the easiest, smoothest process they have ever participated in in business,” cites Mayor Fluellyn. “Here in the city of Lovejoy, we are ready for development.”

A Synergistic Approach

When asked what sets Lovejoy apart, Mayor Fluellyn immediately points to synergy.

“There are so many different levels of it, and so many different circles of it, and they work so well with each other,” she elaborates. Lovejoy is a city where the mayor, council members, clergy, and community leaders all work together with a common purpose- serving the people and fulfilling a higher mission.

Looking to the future, this collective spirit, rooted in mutual respect and shared goals, will continue to drive Lovejoy’s success.

Mayor Fluellyn concludes, “When all of those forces come together, we’re going to do the work. We’re going to find the ‘yes’, and we’re going to make their dreams come to fruition.”