DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has announced the start of the $28.9 million Candler Crossing development, a project intended to bring new life to the Candler Road corridor. The plan includes a full-service Publix grocery store, multi-tenant retail space, and public amenities designed to create a walkable environment for families. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the project, which will be located in District 3 and Super District 7.
Venture South Investments was first approached about the project in 2019 by Cochran-Johnson, who was then Commissioner for Super District 7. In 2020, Decide DeKalb Development Authority joined as a partner under President Dorian DeBarr. Progress slowed due to the global pandemic but resumed in 2022. In January 2025, Jacob Vallo became DeKalb County’s first Chief Development Officer and played an important role in finalizing the deal alongside Decide DeKalb and Venture South Investments.
The centerpiece of Candler Crossing is a 50,325-square-foot Publix grocery store that aims to address fresh food access in South DeKalb. This comes after the closure of Kroger at Belvedere Plaza at Memorial and Columbia Drive this week.
“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 highlighted that “This is more than a development project. It’s a commitment to the future of this community.” He also thanked Venture South and Publix for their investment and noted how various county departments worked together on this initiative.
The Candler Crossing development uses funding from the Southwest DeKalb Tax Allocation District (TAD), managed by Decide DeKalb’s Tiffany Wills. Under its “pay-as-you-go” structure, developers are reimbursed only when new tax revenue is generated by completed projects.
“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, who sold the site for Candler Crossing and leads Mack II Inc., commented: “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. 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.”
In addition to Publix, plans call for an 11,200-square-foot multi-tenant retail building; green space; pedestrian walkways; an updated MARTA bus stop; affordable commercial space offered below market rent; over 100 construction jobs; and about 183 permanent positions once finished.
Candler Crossing marks one step among several economic initiatives underway across South DeKalb aimed at revitalization and growth through public-private partnerships.
Enrollment figures show there were 98,287 students enrolled in DeKalb County schools during the 2022-23 school year—a decrease of about 2.2% from previous enrollment numbers—and White students made up roughly 14% of those enrolled.
For information on business opportunities related to developments like Candler Crossing or others across DeKalb County contact Jacob Vallo at jvallo@dekalbcountyga.gov or visit Decide DeKalb.
