Since its founding in 1997, the Town Center Community Improvement District (CID) has proven that when the public and private sectors work together, incredible things can happen.
As I reflect on the past year, it’s clear the Town Center Community is not only growing, it’s thriving. With a $12.6 billion annual impact on Cobb County and a $16.2 billion contribution to Georgia’s economy, Town Center remains one of the county’s most dynamic economic engines. Our district supports more than 36,000 jobs, nearly 10 percent of all employment in Cobb County, and generates over $238 million in annual public revenue that helps fund schools, transportation and vital community services.
Tracy Styf is the executive director of the Town Center Community Improvement District where she collaborates with decision-makers, elected officials, business leaders, investors and government agencies to manage a current budget of nearly $8M for impactful infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements.
That growth and vitality were on full display at our 2025 State of the District event, where hundreds of partners gathered to celebrate a year defined by collaboration, innovation and momentum. The energy in the room underscored what makes this community special: people coming together to shape a vibrant place that continues to attract investment, talent and opportunity.
Sustaining Economic Growth
Our current Master Plan outlines 15 projects totaling nearly $100 million, positioning Town Center as a regional hub for employment, education, shopping and recreation. But the CID’s mission extends beyond infrastructure, bringing together partners across sectors to create long-term community value. Every investment we make connects people to opportunities, neighborhoods to destinations and ideas to action.
In 2025, we celebrated major progress on the South Barrett Reliever Phase III, the largest infrastructure project in CID history. The project, set to open soon, will enhance connectivity across I-75, relieve congestion on Barrett Parkway by up to 22 percent during peak hours, and open new routes for local access and redevelopment.
Looking ahead to 2026, our focus will be on strengthening our assets, revenue streams and economic resilience. We will continue to raise funds, secure grants and reinvest CID dollars in projects that are strategic, impactful and fiscally responsible.
The transformation of aging retail corridors, such as the one fronting the Town Center at Cobb Mall, remains a top priority. Working closely with Cobb County, Kennesaw State University and other partners, we are re-imagining these areas as mixed-use, high-quality destinations that drive new investment and expand the tax base.
At the same time, we’re advancing initiatives to study the Barrett Parkway, improve the George Busbee Parkway corridor and construct the Noonday Creek Trail Pedestrian Bridge, each representing a tangible investment in safety, access and mobility.
Placemaking and Community Identity
Through our nonprofit partner, the Town Center Community Alliance, placemaking has become the heartbeat of how we build identity and belonging.
In 2025, the Alliance engaged over 1,700 residents and visitors through more than 24 community events, from the record-setting Noonday Shanty 5K/10K to Yoga in the Park, which saw a 300% increase in participation. The Alliance also celebrated the 10th anniversary of our bikeshare program with a refreshed fleet of bikes and the addition of e-bikes. This program is one of the most successful in the nation, having logged more than 100,000 rides to date.
Public art continues to play a transformative role in shaping the Town Center experience. Two new murals and Cobb County’s first Tiny Door were added this year along the Noonday Creek Trail. These new additions join our existing lineup of public art to create a 2.8-mile Art Walk along the trail with six installations, each piece with its own story that, together, create a narrative of community. Our new Art Walk experience is a prime example of how we use placemaking to strengthen Town Center’s identity, enhance trail use and support the local economy.
What’s Next: Planning for the Future
As we look toward 2026 and beyond, we must emphasize that none of the work we do or the successes we have happen in isolation. We partner with public and private entities like Cobb County, Kennesaw State University, Cobb Travel & Tourism, Kaiser Permanente, Avonlea and countless other sponsors and community groups to deliver results that benefit everyone.
In the coming years, Town Center is poised for its next major chapter. We’re nearing completion of our Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Plan, which will serve as the foundation for our new Master Plan—a blueprint for how our community will grow and thrive over the next three decades.
The LCI Plan is helping us reimagine land use, housing and mobility with an eye toward balance, innovation and inclusivity. The Master Plan will carry that work forward, charting a course that sustains economic growth while strengthening livability and connectivity.
With the FIFA 2026 World Cup bringing international attention to KSU and our region, Town Center will be ready to showcase what makes this community shine: strong partnerships, creative leadership and a shared vision for a connected, vibrant future.
Our story is still being written, but the momentum is undeniable. Together, we’re building a community that is invested, connected and thriving today and for generations to come.
Town Center is really building momentum Exciting to see all the new developments and energy in the area Looking forward to visiting soon