DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has announced the start of the $28.9 million Candler Crossing development, a project aimed at revitalizing the Candler Road corridor and providing new services and opportunities for residents. The initiative will include a Publix grocery store, multi-tenant retail space, and public amenities to create a walkable area for families. The Board of Commissioners approved the project unanimously. It will be located in District 3, represented by Nicole Massiah, and Super District 7, represented by Dr. Ladena Bolton.
Venture South Investments was first brought into the project in 2019 by Cochran-Johnson when she served as Commissioner for Super District 7. In 2020, Decide DeKalb Development Authority joined as a partner under President Dorian DeBarr, but work was delayed due to the pandemic. Activity resumed in 2022, and Jacob Vallo became DeKalb County’s first Chief Development Officer in January 2025, playing a key role in finalizing the deal with Decide DeKalb Development Authority and Venture South Investments.
A main feature of Candler Crossing is a 50,325-square-foot Publix grocery store that will provide much-needed access to fresh food. This comes as the Kroger at Belvedere Plaza recently closed, reducing options for healthy groceries for local residents.
“Candler Crossing is a full-circle moment for me,” said Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, CEO of DeKalb County. “Six years ago, while serving as Commissioner for Super District 7, I initiated this project to ensure South DeKalb families had access to the resources they deserve. To now see it come to fruition as CEO, with the leadership of our first Chief Development Officer and in close partnership with Decide DeKalb, is deeply meaningful. This project will deliver fresh food, create jobs, and reestablish Candler Road as a destination for the community.”
Jacob Vallo added: “This is more than a development project. It’s a commitment to the future of this community. We are grateful for the investment Venture South and Publix are making to improve fresh food access in South DeKalb. This project builds on CEO Cochran-Johnson’s long-standing vision, from EMBARC to Lyons Farms, to expand healthy food options for our community. It also reflects how the new administration and Decide DeKalb are working together to make it easier for developers to invest in projects that enhance quality of life for our residents.”
Vallo also highlighted collaboration across several county departments including Planning & Sustainability, Watershed, Sanitation, Fire, Legal departments and Decide DeKalb’s TAD team working closely with Venture South Investments.
The Southwest DeKalb Tax Allocation District (TAD) made this project possible. Managed by Tiffany Wills at Decide DeKalb Development Authority, it uses a pay-as-you-go structure where developers are reimbursed only after generating new tax revenue from completed projects—limiting risk for taxpayers while encouraging investment.
“The Southwest DeKalb TAD is a powerful tool to catalyze projects like Candler Crossing,” said Dorian DeBarr, President of Decide DeKalb. “Decide DeKalb is proud to partner with CEO Cochran-Johnson and Venture South Investments on this milestone project. The Candler Crossing development delivers on a long-standing promise to expand access to fresh food in South DeKalb and demonstrates how the County and Decide DeKalb are working together to attract investment that improves quality of life for our residents.”
Mack Wilbourn—business leader and seller of the site—said: “I am elated to be a part of the transformation coming to the Candler-Glenwood corridor… I have worked for the past two to three decades to assemble the parcels for a moment such as this… It is my belief that what Venture South Investments is about to do will change the outlook for this area for many more decades to come.”
The development covers 7.26 acres and includes an 11,200-square-foot multi-tenant retail building; green space; pedestrian walkways; an upgraded MARTA bus stop; affordable commercial space below market rent; over 100 construction jobs; and 183 permanent positions once complete.
Candler Crossing is one step among several economic initiatives planned across South DeKalb aimed at long-term revitalization through partnerships between public agencies and private companies.
Meanwhile,enrollment at DeKalb County schools dropped by 2.2% during the 2022-23 school year, totaling 98,287 students. White students made up 14% of enrolled students during that period.
For more information about development opportunities in DeKalb County or about this initiative contact Jacob Vallo at jvallo@dekalbcountyga.gov or visit www.decidedekalb.com.
