Introduction

Mayor Easterling reflects on 11 years of leadership since first being elected in November 2015. He emphasizes his commitment to creating transformational change and improving quality of life for all residents and business owners. The address focuses on building the future through quiet, daily, relentless public service that shapes communities and leaves lasting infrastructure, safety, and opportunity.

2025 Accomplishments

Public Safety & Infrastructure

• Public Safety Complex: City Council approved a $14 million SPLOST-funded contract for a dedicated public safety facility, allowing police operations to relocate from City Hall and improving emergency response capacity.

Smith-Gilbert Gardens Renovation

Reopened in September 2025 after significant upgrades including:

• Four new accessible restrooms
• Covered education and events pavilion
• Nearly one mile of newly paved pathways
• Digital marquee along Pine Mountain Road
• Handicap-accessible parking
• Expanded bonsai and butterfly exhibits
• Preservation of the historic Hiram-Butler House

Made possible through partnership between the City of Kennesaw, Smith-Gilbert Gardens Foundation, and the State of Georgia.

Arts, Events & Recreation

Depot Park Amphitheater: Successfully hosted the 2025 concert series, drawing thousands of visitors. New events included SEC football game day broadcasts, Halloween horror movies, and Holly Days with drone show.

Art Blooms: A springtime arts initiative blending nature and creative expression throughout the community. Recognized by the Downtown Georgia Association with the Outstanding Placemaking Project award in August 2025.

Kennesaw Grand Prix 5K Race Series: Celebrating its 16th year in 2026, this premier running series was honored by Cobb Travel & Tourism as the Cobb Sports Alliance Event of the Year for 2025.

Leadership Development

Emerging Leaders Academy: Partnership with Chattahoochee Technical College providing an 8-session, 32-hour leadership development program for city employees focusing on communication, coaching, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking.

Kennesaw 101 Citizens’ Leadership Academy: Community program designed to educate residents about how city government works, fostering civic engagement and building trust between citizens and government.

2026-2027 Focus Areas

Planning Initiatives

1. Comprehensive Plan Update: Beginning February 2026, establishing a 10-15 year vision for growth and development. Will guide business attraction, sustainable development, walkability, and quality of life improvements.
2. Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Study: $160,000 grant from Atlanta Regional Commission to study the Cobb Parkway commercial corridor. Led by consultant Pond and Company with completion by October 2027. Focus on:
   • Strategic redevelopment opportunities
   • Transportation and pedestrian connectivity
   • Design-based code for visual character
   • Creating a dynamic gateway to downtown
3. Capital Improvement Element Update: Comprehensive review of existing facilities, projected growth, and future infrastructure needs for the next decade.
4. SPLOST Referendum Preparation: Educating the community about the purpose and impact of SPLOST, which has funded critical infrastructure over the past 20 years including Depot Park, the Recreation Center at Adams Park, and numerous transportation improvements.

Downtown Kennesaw Vision

Current Success

Depot Park has transformed from a weed-covered lot into the town’s heart, hosting thousands of residents and visitors since opening in June 2024. The downtown features a thriving mix of locally owned restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and specialty retail.

Established Businesses

• Dining: 1885 Grill, Main Street Eats, Vesuvio Pizzeria Napoletana, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Honeysuckle Biscuits & Bakery, El Taco Azteca
• Breweries & Bars: Horned Owl Brewing, Lazy Guy Distillery, Bernie’s Social Bar, Subourbon Bar
• Specialty: Lazy Labrador Coffee House, Frozen Cow Creamery, Cottontail Quilts, Turquoise Otter

Recent Additions

• Dulce Canela (Summers Street): Fresh churros, handcrafted ice cream, specialty drinks
• The Artful Rabbit (Shirley Drive): Art studio and curated bookstore
• Stitch Revivals (The Lacy): Vintage clothing boutique
• Mataeo Couture Studio/MC Studio (The Lacy): Modern beauty and lifestyle destination

Coming in 2026

• Wellspa Collective (Station at South Main): Acupuncture, massage therapy, skincare
• The Brown Dog Bookshop: Community bookstore with gallery space for local artists
• Wreckon Skate & Vinyl: Vinyl records and skateboard shop
• Smash Hit Burgers (2921 Cherokee Street): Expanding from food truck to brick-and-mortar

Major Development Projects

J.G. Lewis Building (Collier Building)

• Historic three-story, 10,000 sq ft building acquired by City and Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority in 2025
• 120+ year history as dry goods store, canteen, Masonic meeting space, church, hardware store
• Planned mixed-use redevelopment with street-level commercial and upper-floor office/residential/hospitality uses

Reformation Brewery

• New flagship location at northwest corner of Main Street and J.O. Stephenson Avenue
• Home to Reformation’s spirits program
• Adjacent restaurant space in historic Whistlestop Building
• Construction anticipated to begin soon, opening hoped for 2027

The Station at South Main

• Owned by Artha Investment Partners
• Up to 47,000 sq ft of retail and commercial space
• Complements The Lacy development
• Currently leasing spaces including Wellspa Collective

Lacy Phase II

• Developed by High Point Development
• Breaking ground Spring 2026
• 7.10 acres on South Main Street
• Features:
  • Class A multifamily units
  • Ground-floor retail
  • Outparcel for restaurant/brewery
  • Structured parking deck
  • Extended Gateway Park frontage
  • Clubhouse with coffee bar, fitness facilities, pool, dog park

Kennesaw Square

• 12-acre transformational redevelopment on former Kennesaw Elementary School site
• Described as a “miniature Avalon”
• Over 110,000 sq ft of retail
• Class A apartments and condominiums
• Multi-use theater
• Sports center
• Resort-level aesthetic in a walkable, connected environment
• Strategic connection between downtown and Cobb Parkway

Lazy Guy Distillery Expansion

• Proposed relocation to 7,000 sq ft facility adjacent to The Landing on Summers Street
• New distillery and restaurant
• Represents local business growth and confidence in downtown

Conclusion

Mayor Easterling emphasizes that downtown Kennesaw is no longer defined by what it once was, but by what it is becoming. The interconnected network of developments—The Lacy, Lacy Phase II, Kennesaw Square, The Landing, and Revival—combined with infrastructure improvements in sidewalks, greenspace, and pedestrian-oriented design, are creating a seamless, walkable, welcoming downtown.

After more than 10 years of service, the Mayor expresses pride in what the team has accomplished together, noting that “this is only the beginning.”

This summary represents the key initiatives, accomplishments, and vision outlined in Mayor Derek Easterling’s 2026 State of the City address for Kennesaw, Georgia.