Mableton, Georgia

At the Crossroads of History and What Lies Ahead

Building a Future with Smart Growth, Sustainability, and Community Engagement

Mableton, Georgia, officially incorporated in June 2023, finds itself at the unique crossroads of old and new. While its formal status as a city is only a year and a half old, Mableton has long existed as a defined and recognizable community. “Most people already thought Mableton was a city,” says Mayor Michael Owens. “We have our own post office, a defined zip code, and a well-established area.” But now, as one of the newest cities in Georgia—and even the nation—it’s carving out a fresh identity.

The city’s location is one of its most distinctive attributes. Situated just due west of Atlanta, Mableton sits along the Chattahoochee River and serves as a gateway to Atlanta and the entire western part of Georgia. “I often talk about Mableton as the gateway to the West,” the mayor explains. He points to Mableton’s critical role in connecting metro Atlanta to cities like Douglasville and Villa Rica and even extending toward Alabama. Major thoroughfares like Interstate 20, Veterans Memorial Highway, and the East-West Connector criss cross through the city, making it a hub of accessibility.

Beyond being geographically well-positioned, Mableton offers a lifestyle that appeals to those looking for proximity to the excitement of Atlanta without the intensity of city living. Mayor Owens describes the city as “just eight or nine miles from Midtown Atlanta,” highlighting its easy access to Hartsfield-Jackson, the world’s busiest airport. For residents, this balance of quiet living and urban convenience is key. “It’s a place where you can live and raise a family and be very happy, but still have proximity to everything that the larger metro area offers,” he says.

Building a Sustainable Future

As a newly incorporated city, Mableton has a unique advantage: the opportunity to build with a clean slate. This means Mableton can prioritize what matters most to its community from the outset. “We get to define, along with our citizens, what’s important to us,” Mayor Owens says. Environmental sustainability is clearly one of those priorities.”

For him, sustainability isn’t just about reducing environmental impact—it’s about embedding eco-friendly practices into the city’s very foundation. One of the key areas of focus is transportation. “Our goal is to have an electric fleet for city vehicles,” he explains. Partnering with Georgia Power, Mableton is exploring expanding electric charging stations and making energy-efficient homes more accessible to residents. “We want homes that are not only greener but save people money on heating and cooling costs,” the mayor adds. This dual focus on environmental health and economic savings reflects a broader vision for the city’s future.

The city is also building its community development department with sustainability in mind. As Mableton creates its ordinances, it is doing so with a keen eye on environmentally sustainable practices. One inspiring example comes from within Mableton itself—the SEA School, which Owens describes as a model for the kind of innovation the city wants to embrace. “It’s one of the only K-8 schools in Georgia that is 100% solar-powered,” he points out. The school also uses cutting-edge technology, including special reflective paint on its playgrounds that keeps the area cooler.

Revitalizing Downtown and Preserving History

Mableton’s downtown revitalization is at the heart of its comprehensive plan. Mayor Owens explains that the city has embarked on its first long-term planning effort, “Mableton 25.” This 20-year outlook, required by the state, sets the foundation for future growth, with special attention given to creating a vibrant downtown. “There’s a pretty defined area when we talk about downtown Mableton,” he says, noting that one focus will be on making the space more recognizable. “Right now, people don’t know when they’re entering Mableton, much less the downtown area.”

At the core of this vision is what Mayor Owens calls the “Center City,” located at Floyd Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway. This area will be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use space that combines Mableton’s historical roots with modern amenities. “We’re looking at building out our Center City to incorporate new retail, civic spaces, and potentially a new city hall,” he shares. In addition to modernizing downtown, Mableton is also preserving its historical legacy. The mayor highlights the original grid layout of historic Mableton, which still exists in some areas, along with a few original buildings like the Barnes Hardware store. “We want to keep that intact, and we’re working to revive the historic Mableton area,” he says.

Mableton is forming a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to guide these efforts, which will play a key role in shaping the city’s growth. Mayor Owens also touches on the city’s broader economic development goals, which include establishing a Visitor and Tourism Authority to attract more visitors to Mableton. “We envision a welcome center that ties together the new elements of our Center City with the historic parts of Mableton,” he says. Given the regional draw of the Mable House amphitheater, this initiative will enhance the city’s reputation as a destination for both locals and tourists.

A Hub of Economic Opportunity

As Mableton continues its growth, its economic potential is becoming more evident, especially with its recent incorporation. Mayor Owens sees immense opportunity ahead, especially in attracting businesses. “There’s a reason we wanted to incorporate,” he says. “One of those reasons was the economic opportunities that we, as a community, could not fully engage in.” He highlights that Mableton’s major corridors—Interstate 20, Veterans Memorial Highway, and the East-West Connector—are ripe for development yet have seen limited growth over the past several decades.

One challenge the city faces is the underutilization of commercial spaces. “We have a lot of strip malls and buildings that have been neglected, with little reinvestment,” the mayor explains. However, Mableton’s location is one of its strongest selling points for business development. With proximity to Midtown Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and other major transportation hubs, the city offers prime access without the congestion and higher costs of being within Atlanta proper. “There’s not a better location in metro Atlanta for business than Mableton,” Mayor Owens asserts.

The city also has significant industrial potential, particularly near Interstate 20. Companies like Crystal Springs and Caterpillar have already established a presence in Mableton, taking advantage of the city’s strategic position for warehousing and logistics operations. In addition, Mableton offers competitive tax rates and prime real estate options ready for redevelopment. Mayor Owens indicates that the city’s leadership is strongly pro-business and pro-worker, eager to work with companies looking to relocate or expand within Mableton. “We have all the ingredients to be an incredible place to do business,” he says confidently.

Driving Economic Growth Through Strategic Development

Mableton is taking significant steps to ignite economic growth and innovation and make the city an attractive destination for business. Mayor Owens emphasizes that one key move in this direction was establishing the Mableton Development Authority. “The Authority is crucial for ensuring that Mableton becomes the most attractive place in metro Atlanta to do business,” he says. Passed through the Georgia General Assembly and supported by local leadership, the Authority is central to the city’s plan for economic revitalization.

In partnership with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Select Cobb, the Mableton Development Authority is actively pursuing strategies to draw in new businesses and support existing ones. “We are committed to providing staff and resources to the Authority,” Mayor Owens notes, explaining how the city is building a foundation to spur economic activity. The city is also hiring an economic development director, a critical role that will help steer Mableton’s business strategy in collaboration with local partners.

The city is also exploring various incentives to encourage business development further. Mayor Owens mentions that Mableton is considering tax allocation districts (TADs) and special service districts as possible tools to drive investment. He also mentions the Urban Redevelopment Agency, chaired by the mayor himself. “It focuses on purchasing and redeveloping properties with the goal of eliminating blight and acting as a catalyst for economic growth,” he says, pointing to ongoing efforts to acquire two properties in what will be downtown Mableton. These actions and other development projects demonstrate the city’s hands-on approach to creating a business-friendly environment.

Addressing the Housing Crisis in Mableton

Mableton, like many cities across the U.S., faces significant housing challenges. However, Mayor Owens notes that the city has seen a tremendous surge in housing growth, which has put pressure on the market across all income levels. “We have a housing shortage at every level,” he explains, from affordable housing for lower-income residents to homes in the $500,000 to $700,000 range flying off the market. Despite the influx of new housing, the demand continues to outpace supply. He says, “The city of Mableton had the single largest median home value increase in Georgia last year—nearly 20%.”

This rapid rise in home values is both a blessing and a challenge. On the one hand, it signals that Mableton, which was once undervalued, is finally getting the attention it deserves. However, this demand presents challenges for affordability, particularly in the face of broader regional housing shortages. Mayor Owens highlights that the city is seeing disproportionate growth in multifamily housing compared to its size. “We’re only about 10% of Cobb County’s population, but we’re seeing 35% of the multifamily housing growth,” he explains. This is encouraging, but the mayor is mindful of the need to balance this growth with affordability and sustainability.

“We’re in the process of establishing the Mableton zoning code and a planning commission to address these issues,” the mayor says. The city is also exploring tools like land banks and land trusts to ensure that affordable housing initiatives maintain long-term affordability. “We want to make sure the housing we build stays affordable, not just for a few years, but for the long term,” Mayor Owens emphasizes.

Elevating Education and Connecting Schools with the Community

Mableton’s schools are a critical part of the city’s growing ecosystem, and Mayor Owens is focused on ensuring that local students have access to top-tier educational opportunities. “We have top-notch programs in the area,” he says, citing Pebblebrook High School’s STEAM Academy and Performing Arts Academy as stand out examples. Pebblebrook’s STEAM Academy recently celebrated its first graduating class, with every senior accepted into a four-year university. “We’re incredibly proud,” Owens remarks, noting the millions of dollars in scholarships awarded to the students.

Pebblebrook isn’t the only school making waves. Mayor Owens highlights South Cobb High School’s Academy for Research and Medical Sciences, a magnet program offering a rigorous curriculum in medical fields. “We’ve got kids going to Ivy League schools—Harvard, Yale, Cornell,” he says, emphasizing the program’s ability to prepare students for careers in everything from emergency medicine to anthropology.

Mayor Owens also points to Betty Gray Middle School, the newest in Cobb County, which boasts a cutting-edge computer lab and a growing medical sciences curriculum. “These programs speak to the innovation happening in our schools,” he says, emphasizing how Mableton prepares students for the challenges of a 21st-century economy. However, he acknowledges that the city’s schools have faced challenges related to housing instability and transience in the community. “We’ve seen changes year over year, but there’s still work to be done,” he adds.

In response, the mayor has launched the Mayor’s Educational Impact Fund, a new initiative to strengthen ties between Mableton’s schools, the business community, and local government. “A city can be no stronger than its schools,” he says, explaining his belief that schools and cities have a reciprocal relationship—better schools attract businesses and families, while the city can amplify the achievements happening in the schools. The fund, structured as a nonprofit, brings together educators, business leaders, and education consultants to help spotlight the achievements of local schools and create new opportunities for students.

Building Critical Infrastructure and Smart City Solutions

As a newly incorporated city, Mableton carefully analyzes the complex process of building its critical infrastructure. Mayor Owens highlights that the city’s charter provides a two-year transition period to establish services such as planning and zoning, sanitation, code enforcement, and parks and recreation. “These are the initial services we’re taking over during the transition,” he says, acknowledging that critical infrastructure is expensive and resource-intensive. Mableton now relies on partnerships with Cobb County to ensure seamless service delivery.

The mayor points out that long-term infrastructure needs will be shaped by Mableton’s comprehensive plan, Mableton 25, which is currently being developed. This plan will guide where infrastructure upgrades are needed most and help coordinate efforts with Cobb County. In addition to basic infrastructure, Mableton is exploring opportunities to implement smart city initiatives. Mayor Owens reveals that the city is in talks with several companies about integrating solar power for street lighting and bus stops, providing city-wide Wi-Fi in the downtown area, and installing electric vehicle charging stations in parking lots around the downtown area as part of a broader effort to embrace green technology.

Priorities for Mableton’s Future Growth

As Mableton moves into its next development phase, Mayor Owens is focused on ensuring that critical services are fully operational and effective. “Standing up zoning and planning, code enforcement, sanitation, and parks is going to be critical,” he says. The city is transitioning these services from Cobb County to direct municipal control, a significant milestone that will lay the foundation for delivering the quality-of-life services that residents expect.

Another key focus over the next 18 months is expanding Mableton’s commissions, boards, and authorities. Mayor Owens highlights the importance of these entities, not only in shaping policy but also in involving the community. “We have 18 commissions, boards, and authorities, and many of these are citizen-led,” he says. Commissions like the Public Arts Commission, Veteran Affairs Commission, and the Visitor Tourism Authority will guide the city’s future. By involving residents directly, these groups ensure that the community’s voice is integrated into decision-making processes.

Mayor Owens is also keen to strengthen relationships with neighboring cities and business communities. “We’ll continue to collaborate with Powder Springs, Smyrna, Austell, and Atlanta,” he says. He’s primarily focused on supporting Mableton’s small businesses, an area he is personally spearheading with the launch of the Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Committee. “This council will bring existing business leaders together to ensure they have my ear and that we bring the right strategies to the table,” he notes.

In addition to local efforts, the mayor supports connections with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce to create a support system for Mableton businesses. “Some businesses will need a conduit to the chamber, and our local organization will serve as that link,” he explains. The plan is to build a structure that allows Mableton businesses to seamlessly access broader resources, helping them grow and thrive in the region. Through these initiatives, Mayor Owens and the city administration are laying the groundwork for a prosperous and well-supported business ecosystem that benefits Mableton and its surrounding areas.

AT A GLANCE

Mableton

What: One of Georgia’s newest cities focused on sustainable growth, community engagement, and business development

Where: Georgia, USA

Website: https://mableton.gov/