Bianca Motley Broom, Mayor, City of College Park

In an interview with Focus:, Bianca Motley Broom, mayor of College Park, highlighted the city’s strategic focus on connectivity, sustainable growth, and community-driven development. “Housing is the cornerstone of everything. Without safe, stable, and decent housing, it’s incredibly difficult to build anything else.”

What changes over the last year have impacted College Park, and in what ways?

We’ve seen tremendous growth and the completion of several long-term projects. One of the most exciting recent developments was the ribbon-cutting for our pedestrian bridge over Camp Creek Parkway. This bridge connects our Gateway Center campus, which is home to the Gateway Center Arena and the Georgia International Convention Center, to the SixWest development area. Although still under construction, we anticipate breaking ground on a 55-acre residential project in that area by December. This is an especially exciting project because it improves pedestrian access throughout our city and also serves as a symbolic bridge between various facets of our community: residents and tourists, our neighborhoods, and the airport.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is deeply intertwined with College Park — parts of the airport, including the T, A, and part of the B gates, are within our city limits. Businesses operating in that area pay taxes and licensing fees to the city, creating an interdependent relationship with both the airport and the city of Atlanta. This connection has played a vital role in our development.

We’ve also seen progress in residential development. For instance, we recently reached full occupancy at a residential complex called Somersby, located on West Fayetteville Road in Clayton County. It has added hundreds of units for underserved populations. Providing attainable and affordable housing is essential, especially for the many residents in southern Fulton and northern Clayton counties who work at the airport. As some of our older units near the end of their usable lifespan, developments like Somersby and Blue Sky Residential — another project in collaboration with the College Park Housing Authority using low-income housing tax credits — are crucial.

Additionally, we’re proud of South Park Cottages, an award-winning development that has been one of the largest micro-home communities in Georgia. The developer, Booker T. Washington, is now expanding into Union City. These kinds of developments offer alternative pathways to homeownership, which is something we’re passionate about.

We’re also making efforts to be good environmental stewards. We’re collaborating with the Atlanta Regional Commission, MARTA, Clayton County, and neighboring cities like East Point and Hapeville to improve stormwater management and preserve the Flint River — Georgia’s second-longest river, which originates in College Park. We’re currently working on a 7-acre nature preserve to give residents better access to the river, which is a largely untapped natural asset. Interestingly, the Flint River flows underneath the airport — an engineering marvel in itself. It’s surreal to stand by the river, see turtles swimming, and watch jets landing just overhead.

No matter where you are in the region, there’s a continuous balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility. What’s encouraging is that we’re having more intentional conversations about preserving our resources for future generations.

How do recent projects reflect your administration’s long-term strategy for economic growth and livability in College Park?

Housing is the cornerstone of everything. Without safe, stable, and decent housing, it’s incredibly difficult to build anything else. We are facing a housing crisis both locally and nationally. There simply aren’t enough units to meet demand. That’s why College Park has been proactive in creating housing at a range of price points, ensuring our residents have options that suit their needs and can contribute meaningfully to the community’s well-being.

We’ve recently completed the first phase of a new development called Hawthorne Station, and residents have already begun moving in over the last 12 to 18 months. This project focuses on homeownership, which is a critical piece of our long-term strategy. About 75% of our residents are renters. We want to shift that by increasing access to homeownership.

Personally, I wouldn’t be where I am today without owning my home. I had to use equity from my house to start my business as a mediator, which eventually gave me the flexibility to run for office. I deeply understand the importance of homeownership, and we’ve made it a citywide policy priority.

What do you believe makes College Park a great place to live and do business?

What sets College Park apart is our location. We’re just minutes from one of the busiest airports in the world, and that level of connectivity is invaluable. I’m so accustomed to it that I leave for the airport about an hour and 15 minutes before my flight — something most people couldn’t dream of. But when you live seven minutes away, that kind of convenience becomes normal.

Accessibility is a huge asset, especially for businesses. We have over 35 hotels, and with the addition of the Gateway Center Arena in 2019, we’re now equipped to host events and conferences of virtually any size. Yet, we still maintain a small-town charm, with a population under 15,000 and a close-knit community vibe. It’s the kind of place where you know your neighbors and can have meaningful social connections. There’s a sense of belonging, which became even more important after the pandemic.

We also have excellent educational institutions like Woodward Academy, one of the top private schools in the United States. Beyond our airport access, we have two MARTA stations — one at the airport and one downtown — so you don’t even need a car to experience all that Atlanta has to offer. Few places combine these kinds of world-class amenities with a strong sense of community. We are fully leveraging those strengths.

How is the city supporting local businesses, attracting new industries, and boosting economic vitality through strategic development?

A big part of our approach involves partnerships. Economic development isn’t something we do alone. We collaborate closely with organizations like Aerotropolis Atlanta. 

The big picture matters. What’s good for neighboring cities is good for us, too. If Union City or East Point lands a major project, we all benefit. We work together to market available properties and prepare them for future development so that when companies contact the state’s economic development office or reach out to Aerotropolis, we’re ready to respond.

One recent win was landing a Marzetti’s manufacturing facility. You’ll find their salad dressings in nearly every U.S. grocery store. The new sauce and dressing production plant will be approximately 250,000 square feet, located next to Chick-fil-A’s headquarters, which is another major asset for our community. That partnership brought in dozens of jobs and showcases how we’re positioning ourselves for sustainable growth. Aerotropolis played a key role in navigating confidentiality and logistics to bring that project to life.

What trends or challenges do you see shaping College Park’s future, and how is the city positioning itself to lead within the Atlanta metro area?

A major factor we’re dealing with is power and infrastructure. College Park is one of only 49 cities that are members of the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG). That gives us a significant advantage. We can offer clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy through College Park Power.

We’ve partnered with CleanSpark, a company focused on data centers and crypto mining. They’ve made multiple investments in our city, which has helped us lower utility rates for residents. We recently extended contracts for another five years, with renewal options reflecting a strong and mutually beneficial relationship.

This also positions us well in the growing data center market. We have both the infrastructure and the land to support these facilities without compromising residents’ quality of life, which is rare for a city this close to a major urban center.

What are your top priorities for College Park over the next two to three years?

While it might not sound glamorous, one of our most critical priorities is upgrading our water and sewer infrastructure. We’re making significant, long-term investments in these systems to ensure we’re ready for future growth and can support both residents and businesses effectively.

We’re fortunate to have the Municipal Option Sales Tax (MOST), which adds an extra penny to sales within College Park, Atlanta, Hapeville, and East Point. That revenue is dedicated to funding infrastructure improvements, and we’ve spent a lot of time strategically planning how best to use those funds.

These upgrades are essential to building a city that’s resilient and ready for the future. Reliable infrastructure is non-negotiable for businesses looking to invest, and we’re making sure College Park meets those standards now, and for the next 100 years.