Unlike many other municipalities, a vast majority of Tucker’s budget goes toward large-scale improvements to the city. Sixty percent of the budget is allocated to capital projects, and with the city’s incorporation in 2016, major improvements to the city became much easier, Sonja Szubski, the Communications Director for the City of Tucker, told Rough Draft.
“It was a complete 180 from what we had been experiencing [before incorporating],” Szubski said. “Within the first five years, we had replaced every single playground and added additional ones to every single park. That never would’ve happened [before incorporation]. We have been able to improve the quality of life… through planning and zoning, code enforcement, and parks and recreation. Those were the three services that we chose [to focus on] because they have a direct impact.”
In the decade since Tucker’s incorporation, the city’s leadership has completed several major projects and continues to work at making Tucker a better place to live.
Completed projects
The City of Tucker acquired Fitzgerald Park in 2019. The need for a sports complex was listed in the city’s initial Parks and Recreation Master plan adopted in 2018. The park was renovated from 2021 to 2024 to have an upgraded water and sewer system, expanded parking, a new concession facility, a turfed multipurpose field, new LED lighting on all fields, and a new playground.
One of Tucker’s most exciting projects, the Town Green in downtown has become a community gathering space for residents, patrons, and businesses. The 1.88-acre lot was acquired by the city from the Cofer family in 2021, and the park opened in November 2025. The project included green space, a stage, water features, and a natural play area.
Johns Homestead is the site for one of the oldest homes still standing in DeKalb County. The dams on Twin Brothers Lake were repaired beginning in 2022, and the park was reopened in August 2026 with a new boardwalk, crossing bridges, bird blinds, new parking, and a walking trail encircling the lakes.
Road improvements
Along with major park renovations, the city has prioritized improving road conditions and safety. Some major improvement projects include the Brockett Road Traffic Calming project, which repaved the road and installed center medians, and the Chamblee-Tucker Lane Diet, which brought the road down to a single travel lane and added a turn lane with medians and a bike lane in both directions.
The city has also improved the condition of pavement on the public roadways in the city, increasing the Pavement Condition Index Rating of streets from 56 in 2018 to 71 in 2024.
Ongoing projects
Idlewood Road is a major connector between Tucker and the surrounding area. Two roundabouts will be added to keep the flow of traffic running safely. The project is expected to be completed by August 2028.
This project will make major improvements to the highest crash site in the city by realigning exit ramps, adding additional turn lanes and a raised median, and modifying traffic signals. The project is expected to be completed in late 2028 and cost $9.44 million.
South Fork Peachtree Creek Trail
This major project will add trails and parks along the creek’s 32-mile span. Phase 1 of the project will construct a .24-mile stretch from Lawrenceville Highway to Cowan Road. Construction will begin in spring 2027, and phase 1 will cost $1.8 million.
This project will build a multi-use trail network between downtown Tucker and the Northlake Mall area. Engineering on the first phase, which will be a .4-mile stretch from Tucker Town Green to Brockett Road, will be complete in fall 2027. Phase 1 is expected to cost $5 million.
