James May-June 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 63
he city of Fayetteville, located 20 miles south
of Atlanta and even closer to the world’s
most-traveled airport, has been a well-situated crossroads for more than 200 years. This
historic city has for decades been known for
its top-tier schools, low crime, educated and skilled workforce, world-class medical community and easy commute
to neighboring business and industrial centers.
In more recent years, it has become known as the
home of Trilith Studios film production, U.S. Soccer, trendsetting mixed-use neighborhoods, an evolving downtown
district and one of the world’s largest data centers powering the AI revolution. A lot has changed since its founding
in 1823, but Fayetteville is still guided by the timeless
traditions of excellence, innovation, and community values
set against the backdrop of smalltown charm.
Fayetteville from its inception has been the seat of government for Fayette County, and over the years has become
one of the prominent cities on the south side of the Atlanta
Metropolitan Area. With a residential population of 20,000
within city limits, nearly 70,000 people reside in the greater
Fayetteville area. The residential growth trend in Fayetteville began in the late 1970s, picked up the pace in the
1980s, and has never really slowed for long ever since. This
migration to Fayetteville fueled renewed interest in preserving, revitalizing and promoting its historic downtown.
Fayetteville Rotary Club to welcome the 1996 U. S.
Olympic Torch and its bearers as they traveled through
downtown Fayetteville enroute to Atlanta. Fast-forward
to 2024, and Main Street Fayetteville centered one of
its signature events around welcoming U.S. Soccer to
the community. The national sports organization chose
to build their new headquarters in the Fayetteville
community in time to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Downtown Redevelopment Era
Main Street Fayetteville’s impact on the city, and
especially on its downtown district, can’t be overstated.
An unprecedented amount of historic preservation and
Main Street Fayetteville Era
Back in the late 1980s, Fayetteville leaders identified
what it would consider to be its downtown district. This
became an official designation in 1989. Seven years later,
the city was accepted into the national Main Street USA
program, and its Main Street Fayetteville initiative was
born. Guided by the Fayetteville Main Street Tourism
Board and the Fayetteville Economic Development Department, Main Street Fayetteville’s chief purpose is to promote downtown business activity and stimulate tourism
through a calendar packed with concerts, festivals, and
other popular events.
One of Main Street Fayetteville’s first community
events that first year was a festival co-hosted by the
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