An empty lot located at one of the gateways to downtown Carrollton will soon become a destination for visitors, residents and groups thanks to a public–private partnership spearheaded by the City of Carrollton.
The $58 million mixed-use development to be built at the intersection of Alabama Street and US Highway 27, adjacent to the Carrollton Center for the Arts, will include a new conference center, a hotel, a restaurant, retail and residential space and a parking deck. The deck and conference center represent a $15 million investment for the city.
“This project is the culmination of years of planning and will benefit our citizens far into the future,” said Carrollton Mayor Betty Cason. “I’m excited we are moving forward with our partners to transform this part of downtown. In Carrollton, we have a long tradition of doing big things together and this is a perfect example of that.”
Linco Development and Paramount Hospitality are working with the city to bring the project – which is a major part of the city’s new Downtown Master Plan – to fruition. The visioning process for this community-driven plan, adopted in 2024, included focus groups, town hall meetings and an extensive community survey with more than 4,000 people giving input about the future of downtown.
“RaLin, Linco Development and Paramount Hospitality are determined to deliver a high quality, innovative mixed use project that will be the anchor to our city’s west side,” said RaLin’s President and CEO Ben Garrett. “We believe the new development will continue to drive our beautiful downtown to new success as an economic and entertainment engine.”
Garrett also applauded the city for acquiring the corner lot several years ago and waiting until the time was right to develop it through a public-private partnership.
“As a life-long Carrolltonian, I understand how important it is to preserve our great hometown heritage while creating an innovative community with opportunities for all that our young people want to return to and raise their families,” Garrett said.
The development is located within a Tax Allocation District, allowing the city to raise a portion of the funding through property taxes generated by the development’s post-construction value.
“The project should generate more than $600,000 in tax revenue annually, including LOST, SPLOST and hotel/motel taxes,” said Carrollton Community Development Director Erica Studdard.
The hotel, conference center and estimated 100–150 residents in the one-block development should bring millions of dollars in economic impact to the city’s downtown area. The conference center element will more than double the city’s capacity for hosting meetings, conventions and group events, ramping up hotel, dining and retail revenues in the process. The section of North Cliff Street between Alabama Street and Johnson Avenue will become a courtyard in the center of the development – a gathering place and location for public events.
According to the Carrollton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, travelers spent a record $167.2 million in Carroll County in 2023. Data made available by the Georgia Department of Economic Development show visitors to Carroll County were also responsible for $12.3 million in state and local tax revenues in 2023. The tourism industry supported almost 1500 jobs in the county in 2023. All these numbers are set to grow exponentially when the Alabama Street project comes online.
“I am proud to be a part of this project that will tremendously enhance the experience and help ensure the sustainability of our downtown for years to come,” said Carrollton City Manager David Brooks. “We are fortunate to have local developers like RaLin and Linco that can construct and manage a project of this size. Everyone being local makes it extra special for our community.”
Construction is expected to begin in late May. The first quarter of 2027 is the targeted completion date for the entire project.
