Douglas Boulevard Corridor Receives Strategic Visioning Grant
Published on May 16, 2025
The City of Douglasville is proud to announce its selection as a recipient of technical assistance through the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) 2025 Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP). The city’s project, titled Douglas Boulevard – An Economic Envisioning Plan, was chosen through a highly competitive regional application process and will receive partner assistance from the Georgia Tech Urban Design Studio.
The Douglas Boulevard corridor — anchored by Arbor Place Mall — has long served as a regional commercial hub. With shifting consumer habits and the rise of e-commerce, the Economic Envisioning Plan will explore new opportunities to transform this area into a vibrant, walkable district that supports a diverse mix of uses including retail, housing, offices, and public green space. The plan will also evaluate strategies for traffic mitigation, smart technology integration, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
Dana Gray, Community Development Director for the City of Douglasville, emphasized the vital role of local partnerships:
"We’re incredibly grateful to our partners—Arbor Place Mall, the Cultural Arts Council, Elevate Douglas, and the Douglasville Development Authority—for their support and shared vision for the Douglas Boulevard corridor. I also want to thank our dedicated city staff, whose hard work and commitment made this opportunity possible."
The Atlanta Regional Commission described CDAP as a key tool in supporting local governments across the metro area:
“The Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) is a critical implementation tool through which ARC brings its collective technical know-how to help local governments address land use and development issues,” said Samyuth Shenbaga, Managing Director of Community Development at ARC. “This year’s selection process was extremely competitive. We are thrilled to continue our work in creating healthy, livable communities where everyone can thrive, and look forward to working with all our awardees.”
Douglasville’s proposal addresses ARC’s priority goals of creative placemaking and smart technology deployment. The resulting plan will include recommendations for redevelopment, improved mobility, community-oriented design, and long-term economic resilience. Broad public engagement—particularly with youth and historically underrepresented voices—will shape the development of the plan.
To learn more about the ARC CDAP program, visit: https://atlantaregional.org.