In the mid-1980s, Smyrna had begun to lose its identity and heart to growing suburban sprawl in Cobb County. Mayor and City Council took unprecedented steps to reverse this trend and to revitalize Smyrna. In 1988, the City council decided to rebuild the downtown area to bring back a sense of family and community – a village to call home. The Council felt there needed to be a common meeting ground, a focal point where people could come together. These forward-thinking leaders envisioned a Town Center with a library and community center, private housing, retail and office space, a City Hall and a Public Safety Facility. This concept is now a reality; it is Smyrna’s "Village Green."

The design of the new town center was done in a modified Williamsburg style with a looping road made of brick around a central fountain area. The Village Green is a beautifully landscaped site for the City’s annual concert series, festivals, and other events held throughout the year.

Smyrna received the prestigious Urban Land Institute’s Award of Excellence in 1997 for this beautiful, functional and successful revitalization project. ULI’s awards jury stated that Smyrna’s success represents a powerful example of many suburban communities across America unhappy with the congestion of big city and yearning for the small town feeling. In fact, the Village Green is designed to reflect a strong sense of community and village life.