Brookhaven Mayor John Park delivered the State of the City address with a message of “Building better tomorrow today” on Thursday, June 12.
Park detailed the progress made in the city under his leadership, from connectivity by trails and bridges to the vision of the new Brookhaven City Centre and its surroundings.
“We call this ‘Brookhaven better together.’ It’s not just a motto. It’s how we engage our community. It is the framework in which we design our spaces, how we shape policy, and how we define progress,” Park said.
Park said the city centre is the largest capital project in Brookhaven’s history with a budget of $78 million. Expected to open 19 months after breaking ground in October 2023, the iconic building sits at the intersection of Peachtree Street and North Druid Hills Road at the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe MARTA station. The city has billed it “the people’s house.”
“This isn’t just a new home for city hall – it’s a reflection of our community’s values. A place for the government to meet people where they are. A home for music, dialogue, learning, celebration, and connection,” Park said.
On June 10, Brookhaven City Council members approved a feasibility study for future multi-use development of the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe MARTA parking lot. Park said the city wants to be intentional about the potential development.
“The city would like to drive that process … consider input from the community, plan for the infrastructure requirements that are needed, and right size that development,” Park said.
After the city centre opens, city staff will be operating from three buildings: the Brookhaven Police Department and municipal court are located at the Brookhaven Public Safety Building, 1793 Briarwood Rd.; public works, engineering, permitting, community development, zoning, inspections, code enforcement, and facility services operate out of the Brookhaven PEP Building, 2665 Buford Hwy., Explore Brookhaven, the remainder of city staff, and city council will be housed at Brookhaven City Centre, 3987 Peachtree Rd.
“That’s not just smart real estate moves, it’s a generational investment in transparency, accessibility, and fiscal responsibility,” Park said.
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The mayor went on to detail other major projects in the city, including a pedestrian bridge from Emory University Executive Park to the Peachtree Creek Greenway that is scheduled to begin construction in the next two years. The greenway’s paved trails are progressing, taking the city step by step closer to connecting to the Atlanta Beltline, Chamblee, and Lindbergh, he said.
“We have deepened our multilingual outreach, expanded representation in leadership discussions, and worked to ensure that every resident feels seen, heard, and valued,” Park said.
Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce Board President Dennis Williams recognized the elected officials and leaders in the room: Georgia State Rep. Karen Lupton, DeKalb Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, City of Atlanta Council Member Alex Wan, and Brookhaven City Council Members Madeleine Simmons and John Funny.