Fayetteville & Newnan Build for the Future

    Coweta and Fayette counties have long been considered excellent places to live. Both counties offer above average schools, access to quality healthcare, excellent parks, and other amenties that draw people to want to live here. The strong economic base in both counties is what makes all of this possible.

    The groundwork was laid years ago, back in 1822 when Fayetteville was founded and became a trading town for the farming folks in the surrounding land. Just a few years later Newnan was founded with merchants, lawyers and other professionals at it’s center. Several decades later Senoia and Sharpsburg came into existence. Much, much, later Peachtree City was founded in 1959.  

    Without the power of trade and business, none of our cities and towns would exist. The challenge is to grow in a manner that is planned, positive, and sustainable. There are cities throughout the north side of Atlanta that exemplify growth without a plan, filled with concrete and congestion. In recent years both Coweta and Fayette county have realized that if they didn’t start planning for their growth they would end up with the same problems.

    When Fayetteville began their revitalization plan almost a decade ago, part of the plan was to develop and enhance the downtown area to be walkable, which would reduce daily traffic. Understandably, residents might still have to drive to work. But if they are able to walk to dinner or for local entertainment, the amount of people on the roads is still reduced.

    A big piece of that “walkable” plan is coming to fruition with the opening of Walton Fayetteville, an apartment community bordering Triumph Station and City Center Park. Opened in early 2023, the smoke-free community of Walton Fayetteville is only a few steps from the boutiques and eateries of downtown Fayetteville. In addition to being convenient to downtown Fayetteville, it will offer open floor designs, stainless steel appliances, smart home technologies one, two and three room floorplans.

    Another addition that is coming to downtown Fayetteville is the opening of 240 Glynn Street – a transformation of the former City Hall into a dynamic dining and creative space in downtown Fayetteville. The existing space will be enhanced and restored and new businesses will open there. It will feature Rooted Cafe, a coffee and roasting cafe, Grazefull and Cured charcuterie concept, The Hummingbird Wine Bar and Market, Two Hands Pottery Studio, Sparrow Boutique and Salon, and a 2200 square foot event space.

    In fall of this year construction will begin on the data center that will be housed between Trilith and Tyrone. It will significantly increase the tax revenue for the City of Fayetteville, as well as encourage other tech related business to locate in the area. The future looks bright for Fayetteville and they have more projects planned for the future.

Newnan is also looking to the future as they reinvigorate their downtown area. Main Street Newnan works and Newnan Economic Development both work towards making Newnan a great place to live, work, and play.​

Main Street Newnan plays a vital role in success of businesses in the downtown area. Their impact is based on a specific plan. As an accredited National and Georgia Main Street Program, they are dedicated to community revitalization based on historic preservation. By incorporating the Main Street Four Point Approach, which is composed of focus on Economic Vitality, Design, Organization, and Promotion, they work to keep downtown Newnan thriving and growing.

Throughout the year unique marketing strategies and special events continually promote the downtown area and bring vistors to shop, dine and spend time. They also strive to support efforts to continually improve the aestheic environment of the histoirc buildings that make up the downtown area. The coordination of efforts, commitments, and leadership that advance the Main Street program, as well as the use of strategic planning to support the financial restructuring of our historic business area are also part of their plan. By doing so they help provide the city the best chance to effectively boost the commercial downtown by using partnerships, our culture, small companies, local assets, architectural heritage, and community activities to encourage local businesses and civic pride.

Since 1986, Main Street Newnan, one of Georgia’s oldest Main Street programs, has acted as a point of contact for the City of Newnan with the corporate community, local and regional economic development organizations, and the non-profit sector. The Main Street Program was established 35 years ago by a collection of neighborhood volunteers, companies, and collaborating organizations who dedicated many hours of their free time and money to ensuring the future of our downtown.

Their dedication to preserving our city’s cultural character through the revitalization of our downtown area served as a model that will help our program continue to advance in the future. Strategic relationships are necessary to maintain a successful redevelopment effort, as Main Street Newnan is aware. They continue to grow and strengthen the support that has been given by the community as a result of the expansion that Downtown Newnan has experienced.

As has been the pattern for several years of growth, Main Street Newnan hopes to see an increase in the number of new program sponsors. The continuation of collaboration with new companies and groups while seeing a rise in the number of people volunteering will enable the downtown area to continue to thrive.

Another way Main Street Newnan encourages visitors to come to Newnan to shop and dine is through planned events throughout the year.

From March to December, the first Saturday of each month around the courthouse square in downtown Newnan is when Main Street Newnan hosts the Monthly Market Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market features a range of locally produced goods that have been crafted by farmers, artists, and artisans in the area.

Twice a year, downtown Newnan comes alive for the Art Walk Event, which is our celebration of regional art. Businesses stay open later during the Art Walk to feature exhibits and demos in-store that have been carefully curated by some of Newnan’s best artists. At least 40 artists display their work throughout downtown, with a wide range of artistic techniques and media represented, such as oil on canvas, engraving, pottery, photography, jewelry-making, fiber arts, performing arts, and acrylics.

Summer NewnaNights, a 4th of July Parade, Labor Day Sidewalk Sale, Sunrise on the Square Race, Spirits & Spice, and Plaid Friday are just a few of the other planned events throughout the year.

One of the programs that they have instituted is Placemaking, Creating a sense of place can involve anything from putting garbage cans on the sidewalk to creating an innovation district where the locals can meet. Wadsworth Alley is one of the successful Placemaking projects in downtown Newnan. All placemaking initiatives, however, share one goal in common: strengthening local communities.