On Saturday, Riverdale in Clayton County will unveil a sparkling new town center where Travon Wilson Memorial Park once stood.
The center, featuring a new city hall complex, center for arts, business and leisure services, a public plaza with an interactive water feature and an outdoor amphitheater, is a multi-phase project designed to give the city a downtown area it has never had.
“There was no central gathering place for entertainment or cultural events and no central place for municipal functions," said Michael Syphoe, executive director of the Riverdale Downtown Development Authority, established three years ago for the project.
Back in 2007, the 4.4 square mile city of 17,000 residents began to look for a specific location for a new city center. City authorities identified the 20-acre park, which is one block from the main thoroughfare, Ga. 85. The park had been known as Riverdale Park until 2004, when it was renamed in memory of a 4-year-old who was killed there when he was caught in gang crossfire. Initially, Syphoe said, community members were upset about decommissioning the park. But that changed when the city offered plans for a new, 68-acre, $3.5 million park, with construction to begin in January.
"I believe when the community sees for the first time on Saturday some of the things we have incorporated into the Town Center complex, they will be more than satisfied with what we have done," Syphoe said.
One of the most popular features in the former park was the walking trail. The new complex has a trail both inside and outside of the building, Syphoe said.
"Riverdale has really slowed down over the few years since they had the accreditation problem with the schools," said Eugene Johnson, manager of Mo Jo’s World Famous Buffalo Wings on Ga. 85. "I hope it helps out because it took away the park and that took away some revenue for us. We in Clayton County, we need as much stuff as we can get.”
Future development calls for a parking garage, an access road connecting Ga. 85 to the Town Center entryway, a 100- to 140-room full service hotel with a restaurant, 220 market rate apartments and an office building.
"We are saying this is a three- to five-year completion on the entire project," Syphoe said.
He said potential new retailers are considering the area and some have signed up already.
"We are showing properties around Town Center to several restaurant chains that normally would not have considered Riverdale," Syphoe said.
While the project is aimed at revitalizing the area, some residents and business owners say they are hopeful but cautious.
"Riverdale has really slowed down over the few years since they had the accreditation problem with the schools," said Eugene Johnson, manager of Mo Jo’s World Famous Buffalo Wings on Ga. 85. "I hope it helps out because it took away the park and that took away some revenue for us. We in Clayton County, we need as much stuff as we can get.”
The Saturday celebration includes musical performances throughout the day by bands ranging in style from country western to steel drum. The evening show kicks off with Bobby Brown and Miki Howard, followed by a fireworks display.
Event preview
Riverdale new Town Center grand opening
11 a.m.-4 p.m. and 8-11 p.m. Saturday. Free.
7210 Church St., Riverdale.
770-997-8989, www.riverdaletowncenter.com
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