CEO Cochran-Johnson Delivers on Her Promise to South DeKalb with $28.9M Candler Crossing Project

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson announced the launch of the $28.9 million Candler Crossing development, a transformative project set to restore vitality to the Candler Road corridor, deliver essential services, and spark new opportunities for the community. The project will feature a full-service Publix grocery store, multi-tenant retail space, and public amenities designed to create a walkable, family-friendly destination. It was unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners. The development will be in District 3 represented by Nicole Massiah, and Super District 7, represented by Dr. Ladena Bolton. 

Venture South Investments was first engaged in 2019 by Cochran-Johnson, then Commissioner of DeKalb County’s Super District 7. In 2020, the Decide DeKalb Development Authority, led by President Dorian DeBarr, joined as a key partner, though progress was temporarily delayed by the global pandemic. Work resumed in 2022, and in January 2025, Jacob Vallo joined as DeKalb County’s first Chief Development Officer and played a pivotal role in helping bring the Candler Crossing deal over the finish line, working closely with Decide DeKalb Development Authority, other DeKalb staff members and Venture South Investments to finalize the project.

Fresh Food Access at a Critical Time

At the heart of Candler Crossing will be a 50,325-square-foot Publix grocery store, providing urgently needed access to fresh food. The development comes at a pivotal moment, as the Kroger at Belvedere Plaza at Memorial and Columbia Drive officially closed its doors this week, leaving residents with one fewer option for healthy groceries.

“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.”

Collaboration and Vision

“This is more than a development project. It’s a commitment to the future of this community,” said Jacob Vallo, Chief Development Officer, DeKalb County. “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 points out that this project is a true collaboration across many DeKalb County Government departments including DeKalb’s Planning & Sustainability, Watershed, Sanitation, Fire, and Legal departments, along with Decide DeKalb’s TAD team, who all worked hand-in-hand with Venture South Investments and its consultants to bring this project to the community.

About the Southwest DeKalb TAD

The Candler Crossing project is made possible through the Southwest DeKalb Tax Allocation District (TAD), one of five TADs established by Decide DeKalb to catalyze redevelopment along key corridors in the county. The program is spearheaded by Tiffany Wills, Vice President of Real Estate Development & Strategic Initiatives at Decide DeKalb. The Southwest DeKalb TAD utilizes a “pay-as-you-go” structure, meaning developers are reimbursed only as new tax-increment revenue is generated by the completed project. This approach ensures that taxpayers bear no upfront risk, while enabling transformative developments like Candler Crossing that bring jobs, amenities, and long-term investment into underserved communities.

“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.”

“I am elated to be a part of the transformation coming to the Candler-Glenwood corridor,” said Mack Wilbourn, longtime South DeKalb business leader, seller of the Candler Crossing site, and President of Mack II, Inc. “I have worked for the past two to three decades to assemble the parcels for a moment such as this. I hope the community and leadership team are just as excited as I am. 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.”

A Vision for Revitalization

Beyond the grocery anchor, the 7.26-acre site will include:

• An 11,200-square-foot multi-tenant retail building
• Green space, pedestrian walkways, and a renovated MARTA bus stop
• Affordable commercial space for local businesses at below-market rent
• More than 100 construction jobs and 183 permanent positions upon completion

Looking Ahead

Candler Crossing represents more than a single project. It is a milestone in DeKalb County’s broader commitment to revitalization and growth. This project is one of the first of a series of economic development initiatives underway across South DeKalb. This investment signals the beginning of a new chapter for South DeKalb. By aligning public and private partners under a shared vision, the County is paving the way for stronger communities, healthier families, and sustainable economic opportunity for decades to come.

DeKalb County is Open for Business. For development opportunities across DeKalb, contact Jacob Vallo, Chief Development Officer in the Office of the CEO, at 470-484-7253 or jvallo@dekalbcountyga.gov. You may also visit the Decide DeKalb at www.decidedekalb.com.