The City of Brookhaven will welcome the public to its highly anticipated city centre opening on Saturday, Aug. 9 with live music, performances, tours, and food tastings.
Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis for the family-friendly day of events.
The day will kick off with a presentation by the honor guard at 10:45 a.m., followed by remarks by Mayor John Park at 11 a.m.
Between 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the city is putting on a Zumba class, Silver Sneakers exercise class, and a magic show. Flavors of Brookhaven, a tasting event from local chefs, will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m., and a salsa dance class is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Finally, Macon-based band Jupiter Coyote will perform at 5 p.m.
All-day family-friendly activities include scavenger hunt walking tours of the new city centre led by Explore Brookhaven, a DJ, face painting, stilt walkers, and more.
Community parters will be on site with information booths.
An exclusive gala is the first planned event on Friday, July 25. The guest list includes current and former officials, local, state and federal officials, city management, and community stakeholders.
Brookhaven City Centre is located at 4001 Peachtree Road, on the property of the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe MARTA station. It is the first municipal building in Georgia constructed primarily using mass timber, a renewable material.
Mayor John Park has called the building “a community living room … a place where neighbors connect, families gather, and residents can engage directly with their government in a setting that reflects the values and vision of our city.”
Approximately 60 percent of the 58,000-square-foot building is dedicated to public use: a multi-purpose event hall with catering kitchen, coffee shop, rentable meeting rooms, and a storefront for Explore Brookhaven, the city’s tourism arm.
The remaining space will house administrative offices for city council, city manager, finance, human resources. Other city departments are located at the Public Safety Building and the PEP Building for planning, engineering, and permitting services.
“I’m excited for city centre to anchor our community. I can’t wait to stroll down Dresden after a great lunch, enjoy the beautiful views from the roof and welcome the community in with open arms not just to a building, but to a gathering space,” said council member Jennifer Owens.
Brookhaven City Centre is being funded with Urban Redevelopment bonds that will be repaid from the Special Services District. Council members said goodbye to the old city hall this week.