Mike Mason, Mayor, City of Peachtree Corners

June 2026 — Mike Mason, mayor of Peachtree Corners, spoke with Focus: about the city’s continued emphasis on economic development, redevelopment, and innovation through Curiosity Lab, its hub for innovation and emerging technologies. “We have welcomed cybersecurity startups, technology companies, and international delegations interested in seeing how the model works,” Mason said.

What have been some of Peachtree Corners’ biggest accomplishments over the past year?

Things are going well in Peachtree Corners. We have a great city council, we all work together, we share a vision for the city, and we work with citizens to fulfill that vision.

One of the biggest recent developments is the city’s purchase of the building that used to house CineBistro in our town center. The building is about 30,000 square feet and sits in a critical location across from the Town Green and the Forum, which is undergoing redevelopment. When the property owner approached us about purchasing it, we felt it was important because it gave us more control over how that space fits into the vision for our downtown.

Creating a downtown has been a major focus for us. Peachtree Corners became a city 14 years ago, and it has been a unique opportunity to help shape a new municipality. Unlike many suburban communities that function primarily as bedroom communities, Peachtree Corners has a substantial commercial base. We have about 48,000 residents and roughly 43,000 jobs, which allows us to remain a major regional employment center.

That business presence has helped support our economic development goals. One example is Intuitive Surgical, the robotic surgical device manufacturer headquartered in Silicon Valley, which selected Peachtree Corners for its East Coast headquarters. That project aligned with our focus on being pro-business, pro-economic development, and pro-job creation. Intuitive is now the city’s largest employer.

At the same time, only a portion of those jobs are held by people who live in the city. We continue looking for opportunities that allow more people to live and work in the same community while maintaining the quality of life that residents expect.

The town center has become everybody’s backyard. It is active throughout the day and evening and serves as a gathering place for residents of all ages. That is one reason why the future use of the former CineBistro property is so important. We are working with consultants to evaluate options and will ultimately gather community input before making decisions.

What role will community input play in determining the future of the CineBistro property?

Community input will be a major part of the process. People have different ideas depending on their stage of life and what they would like to see added to the city.

Some residents would like more family-oriented entertainment options, while others would like additional community gathering spaces, programming, or cultural activities. The important thing is understanding what citizens want and making sure any future use complements the vision for the town center and the surrounding area.

We plan to evaluate alternatives, present them publicly, and allow residents to weigh in before any final decisions are made.

How is Curiosity Lab contributing to the city’s economic development strategy?

Curiosity Lab has become one of the most significant components of our economic development efforts.

When Peachtree Corners first became a city, we recognized the need to strengthen and modernize our office and technology ecosystem. Over time, that effort evolved into Curiosity Lab, which today serves as a hub for innovation and emerging technologies.

What makes it unique is that companies can test technologies in a real-world environment. We own the streets, sidewalks, streetlights, and infrastructure within the test area, which allows companies to move quickly from concept to testing. That flexibility attracts organizations working in autonomous vehicles, connected infrastructure and smart city technologies, robotics, cybersecurity, and related fields.

We have seen interest from companies and organizations throughout the United States and internationally. The French American Chamber of Commerce relocated its headquarters to Curiosity Lab, and we have welcomed cybersecurity startups, technology companies, and international delegations interested in seeing how the model works.

The program continues to evolve as new technologies emerge and companies look for places where they can test and refine their products in a practical setting.

We continue to grow in Curiosity Lab, continue to develop companies in that space, like Intuitive Surgical, and we are making sure that the quality of life in our downtown area remains strong.

What challenges come with balancing business growth and quality of life?

It is difficult to perfectly manage that balance because many factors are outside of a city’s control. What we can do is position ourselves as a business-friendly community with a high quality of life, good schools, strong neighborhoods, and amenities that attract both residents and employers.

A major focus for us is business retention. It is important not only to attract new companies but also to make sure the businesses already here remain successful. Our economic development team works closely with employers throughout the city, and we regularly seek feedback from the business community.

One example is the Peachtree Corners Business Council, which was formed by business leaders. The council provides input on issues affecting the local business environment and helps us understand what employers need to continue growing here.

As a city, we are continuing to mature, and those relationships have become an important part of our decision-making process.

What is your vision for Peachtree Corners over the next five years?

The primary goal is to continue improving the quality of life for our citizens while maintaining a strong business environment.

One of the things that distinguishes Peachtree Corners is that we operate with a zero millage rate. Most cities in Georgia levy a city property tax, but we do not. Our strong commercial base helps make that possible, so maintaining a healthy business community remains a priority.

At the same time, we have to continue investing in redevelopment. Communities change, consumer expectations change, and properties age. We have to make sure that key assets throughout the city remain competitive and attractive.

The Forum is a good example. It had reached a point where it needed reinvestment and modernization. The redevelopment underway there is helping position it for the future and ensuring it remains an important part of the community.

We are also focused on redevelopment opportunities elsewhere in the city. In some cases, that includes adaptive reuse of office properties. As work patterns evolve and older office buildings become less competitive, there may be opportunities to reposition those sites in ways that better serve the community.

Housing continues to be an important consideration as well. Peachtree Corners remains a highly desirable place to live, and demand for housing is strong. We want to maintain an appropriate balance between housing types while preserving the character of the community.

Another long-term priority is expanding our network of multi-use trails. We have plans for an approximately 11.5-mile loop that will connect different parts of the city through widened paths and trail systems that support walking, jogging, and cycling.

Projects like the Crooked Creek segment, which received support through the Atlanta Regional Commission, are helping us move toward that vision. These improvements take time and often depend on grant funding, but they contribute directly to the quality of life and connectivity.

Overall, our focus remains consistent. We want to continue supporting economic development, maintaining a strong business climate, investing in redevelopment, expanding amenities, and ensuring that Peachtree Corners remains a place where people want to live, work, and spend their time.