For years, the City of Powder Springs has been known as the quaint rural town located 25 miles northwest of Atlanta that is home to 17,000 residents, a charming downtown area with delightful boutiques and eateries and outstanding access to the region’s beloved Silver Comet Trail. While all of this remains true to this day, there’s so much more on the horizon for this burgeoning city, which has started to see a great deal of revitalization across its seven square miles over the last few years. The changes are a welcome sign of progress for both residents and visitors alike, who recognize the great potential of Powder Springs and are excited to see the development plans for this historic Cobb County city come to fruition.

All Roads Lead Downtown

In June of 2022, Powder Springs officially broke ground on a new 6.6-acre downtown apartment development. The highly anticipated event is the first step in a comprehensive redevelopment and expansion plan for the city, and this first phase of the project—launched by the Downtown Development Authority in conjunction with Novare Group, Batson-Cook Development Co. and PointOne Holdings—includes the construction of 226 apartments in the heart of Downtown Powder Springs. The well-appointed multifamily units will span a mix of two-story carriage houses and three- and four-story apartment buildings across the development and feature a wide array of amenities for new residents, from private garages and an impressive fitness center to a coworking lounge, a resort-style pool and more.

According to Al Thurman, mayor of Powder Springs, “Powder Springs could not be more excited and proud to partner with the Downtown Development Authority and the Novare Group-led partnership in creating a project that will revitalize and continue to reawaken downtown. Novare Group has transformed communities across the country, and their project will bring a renewed focus to the downtown as the physical and symbolic heart of the community.”

Of course, the new multifamily project, which is slated to open in late 2023, is not the only thing that has been attracting people of all ages to Powder Springs. For instance, in late 2021, the city unveiled its beloved “Welcome to Powder Springs” mural, located on the side of the building that houses Sweet Southern Coffee and Dessert on Marietta Street and painted by renowned artist John W. Christian. Its presence has added some real flair to the downtown area, which is home to a thriving business community with a unique mix of businesses both old and new, from the long-established Hand Me Ups consignment shop to the city’s first brewery, Skint Chestnut Brewing Company. And all of this is within walking distance of the $4.1 million Thurman Springs Park, which opened in 2021 and has become a can’t-miss attraction thanks to its ample green space, splash pad, playground and the Hardy Family Automotive Amphitheater, which hosts a variety of local events throughout the year.

One of those events is the three-day “Bringing the Sea to the Springs” annual seafood festival, held each May since 2021. The festival draws more than 10,000 people to Thurman Springs Park and the downtown area to enjoy an array of fresh seafood offerings from vendors across the country, a wine and beer garden, live bands, products and wares from regional artists and craftsmen and more. The popular event is just one of the activities that has shined a light on the city’s excellent quality of life.

Beyond the Borders

While the downtown area undoubtedly is the heart of Powder Springs, there is so much to be explored just beyond the borders of the historic district. For instance, the downtown apartment development project is adjacent to a future direct trail connection to the 61.5-mile Silver Comet Trail, which allows local residents and visitors to get out in nature and explore everything the area has to offer. The new trail connection will serve as an excellent complement to the Silver Comet Linear Park Trailhead in Powder Springs, located at mile marker 9.5 on the trail.

This type of distinctive recreational option is one of the many reasons why families, young professionals and so many others choose to call Powder Springs home. In addition, with median home prices in the high-$100s to low-$200s and access to the exceptional Cobb County school district, so many people are recognizing the city as an ideal residential option. With that in mind, another highly anticipated multifamily project also broke ground in June 2022: Heartwood Powder Springs, a 300-unit garden-style apartment complex from Selig Development. Located along Brownsville Road at the intersection of Oglesby Road, the one-, two- and three-bedroom units will be housed in 10 three-story buildings covering 20 acres of land. Upon completion in 2023, it officially will be the first apartment complex built in Powder Springs in more than two decades. As Mayor Thurman notes, “I am excited to see the construction underway. This type of development plays an important part in making Powder Springs such a great city to call home.”

With so much to offer and so much coming down the pike, it’s no wonder why there is so much excitement in and around the City of Powder Springs. It’s progress personified, making this growing rural town one of the metro area’s most interesting and inspiring locales around.

For more information, visit cityofpowdersprings.org.