The groundbreaking for the Square ShakeUp is this Thursday, April 17. Join us as we celebrate the start of our reimagined downtown Square. The event starts at 10:30 am at the Community Bandstand on the Downtown Decatur Square.
Read the full press release below or download the pdf here.
Press Release
Decatur Breaking Ground on $8.5 Million Transformation of Historic Square
The cultural centerpiece of Decatur will undergo a multi-phase overhaul
DECATUR, Ga. (April 14, 2025) – The Decatur Downtown Development Authority (DDA) announced the start of an $8.5 million project to reshape Decatur Square, the epicenter of activity in Downtown Decatur. First hatched in early 2022, the plan includes expanding both the size of the Square and its green space, replacing the large bandstand by the Swanton Way MARTA entrance with a performing arts stage, expanding open spaces, creating a new children’s play area and adding permanent public restrooms.
The public is invited to the celebration launching the project – which is being called “The Square ShakeUp” – at a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 17. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m., with remarks from officials scheduled to take place at 11 a.m.
“While the current version of Decatur Square has been a fixture in our city for nearly 30 years, the needs of our community have evolved,” said Angela Threadgill, the City of Decatur’s Assistant City Manager for Community & Economic Development. “After extensive
conversations with our residents and local business owners, it became clear changes were necessary to support the type of programming that keeps Downtown Decatur vibrant.”
The changes are a key component of Decatur’s Town Center Plan 2.0, which was officially adopted by the City Commission in 2023 to address the changing needs of its downtown district. The project will be financed by SPLOST II funds through DeKalb County and is expected to take 10 months to complete, with the goal of a full reopening prior to the FIFA World Cup in June 2026.
“When considering this project alongside some of the other initiatives undertaken by the City – especially our small business improvement grants – we hope it sends a clear message that we aren’t resting on our laurels when it comes to making Decatur the best it can be for all
stakeholders,” added Threadgill.
Access to the Square and all the surrounding businesses will remain open to the public, with only specific portions of the Square closed during construction. As project elements are completed, access to those areas will be reopened. Though no timeline has been established, Phase 2 of the rejuvenation of Decatur Square is expected to include an outdoor pavilion, splash pad and additional seating and amenities.
For more information on the project and its impact on access to Decatur Square, please visitSquareShakeUp.com.
About the Decatur Downtown Development Authority
The Decatur Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was founded in 1982 to implement the Decatur Town Center Plan and to provide day-to-day management of the downtown development program. Since that time, our role has expanded to include responsibility for all of Decatur’s commercial districts. The Downtown Development Authority works with the traditional, downtown business district and the Development Authority has jurisdiction over the neighborhood districts. Both Authorities share a board and staff and exist to provide assistance to prospective business owners and developers interested in investing in Decatur’s economic development plans. These programs are housed within the City’s Community & Economic Development Department.
About the City of Decatur
The City of Decatur, located just east of Atlanta and home to 25,000 people, is characterized by world class big-city business assets, progressive attitudes, highly educated residents, an
accessible local government, and superb quality of life for those who live and/or work here. The city was recently listed as the 2018 Best Neighborhood in Atlanta by Creative Loafing. Decatur already is home to Emory Health Care, Agnes Scott College, Columbia Seminary, and the Task Force for Global Health, and a vibrant mix of small, local professional firms.
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Media Contacts:
Adam Schick
The Wilbert Group
404-510-9597
[email protected]
Renae Jackson
City of Decatur
678-553-6561
[email protected]