Doraville, Ga., will develop its first city center, a 13-acre project featuring a modern city services building, public library, community park, and future retail and housing options. Meanwhile, the Bells Ferry Road widening project in Woodstock aims to improve traffic flow and safety with four lanes and innovative intersections.
City of Doraville render
A rendering of the proposed town center in Doraville, Ga.
After 150 years without a defined downtown, the city of Doraville in metro Atlanta is preparing to begin a transformative new development that will create a long-awaited city center.
Doraville officials said that the development also aims to establish a vibrant, walkable downtown area for the community.
The project took a major step forward when the city signed contracts with its newest partners, Choate Construction Co. and McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture — both of which are based in Atlanta — to bring the project to life.
Construction is set to break ground begin in June 2025, at a site located on Park Avenue between New Peachtree Road and Buford Highway, not far from the Doraville MARTA transit station, WSB Radio in Atlanta reported May 16, 2025.
The site currently houses City Hall and the Doraville Police Department, which will be temporarily relocated to nearby Van Fleet Circle during the construction.
Spanning 13 acres, the new Doraville City Center will serve as a vibrant and inclusive hub designed for all who live, work and visit the community, according to an announcement on the town's website.
Once complete in the autumn of 2026, the voter-approved development project is being funded through a bond referendum and will feature:
- modern city services building;
- a brand new public library;
- collaborative creator space;
- a centrally located community park; and
- enough extra space for future multifamily housing, retail and dining options.
With community and sustainability at its core, the planned redevelopment will reflect Doraville's unique spirit and diversity while providing a dynamic space to gather, connect and thrive.
"The Doraville City Center is the culmination of more than 20 years of community visioning, planning,and dialogue," Mayor Joseph Geierman said in a statement from his office. "This project represents a true investment in the future that reflects the values and aspirations of our residents."
The highly-regarded Choate Construction brings decades of expertise and a client-first approach, the city noted, while McMillan Pazdan Smith, known for its impressive civic design work, will shape the City Center's architectural identity.
"The signing of these contracts marks a pivotal step in one of the [city's] most significant capital projects in decades," said Chris Eldridge, Doraville's city manager. "This City Center will not only centralize essential services in a more efficient and accessible way but also create a vibrant gathering place that reflects the energy and diversity of Doraville while supporting future growth."
Expansion of Bells Ferry Road in Cherokee County Has Begun
Construction officially got under way in mid-May 2025, on the Bells Ferry Road widening project near the city of Woodstock in Cherokee County, on the northwestern edge of Atlanta.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) awarded Atlanta's Astra Group LLC the $37.2 million contract in January 2025, following years of designing, planning and securing the necessary funds to broaden Bells Ferry Road from two to four lanes.
"It's a been a long road to [get] to this point," said GDOT District Engineer Grant Waldrop. "We're moving dirt now and that means we're on the way to seeing Bells Ferry expanded to fit the growing needs of the area."
Cherokee County used Georgia's Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds, totaling $18.3 million, to acquire all of the right of way and required easements necessary to expedite construction on the road project. The acquisition included 135 parcels of land, according to GDOT.
"The Bells Ferry widening is a much needed and long-awaited transportation improvement project," said Cherokee County Manager Geoff Morton. "We appreciate GDOT's action in ensuring this project moves forward to relieve congestion in the area and correct problematic alignment in particular roadway segments."
The contract calls for Bells Ferry Road to be widened beginning on its south end at Southfork Way and ending near Victoria Road, approximately 2.4 mi. to the north.
Some intersections along the route will be converted to Reduced Conflict U-Turns, or RCUTs, which prevent traffic on side roads from turning left or crossing a main road at the intersection. Motorists instead will turn right and then be permitted to make a U-turn at the next break in the roadway's median.
The transportation agency said RCUTs eliminate dangerous crossings that can result in severe crashes.
Along with expanding Bells Ferry Road to four lanes, the project also will add a multi-use sidewalk and improve visibility on curves leading into intersections with traffic signals.
"Our main goals with this project are to reduce the congestion, prepare for future growth along Bells Ferry Road, and continue to make our roads as safe as possible," Waldrop said. "We ask that the public be patient and drive slowly in work zones while our crews work."
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