DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, has announced $47.8 million in major county initiatives, underscoring her administration’s commitment to public safety, fresh food access, and economic growth.
The first is the $28.9 million Candler Crossing development, a transformative project that will revitalize the Candler Road corridor with a full-service Publix grocery store, multi-tenant retail space, and new community amenities.
Cochran-Johnson announced last week the launch of the $28.9 million Candler Crossing development, a transformative project that will restore vitality to the Candler Road corridor, deliver essential services, and spark new opportunities for South DeKalb.
Anchored by a 50,325-square-foot Publix grocery store, the development will also include multi-tenant retail space, green space, pedestrian walkways, and a renovated MARTA bus stop. Designed as a walkable, family-friendly destination, Candler Crossing will bring fresh food access, jobs, and new energy to a vital community corridor.
“Candler Crossing is a full-circle moment for me,” said Cochran-Johnson. “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.”
The project 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.
Beyond retail, the project will generate significant economic impact, creating more than 100 construction jobs and 183 permanent positions once complete. It also represents a key investment in fresh food access, coming at a critical time following the closure of the Kroger at Belvedere Plaza.
“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.
Candler Crossing signals the start of a new chapter for the community and for the county as a whole. “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 decades to come.”
The second is Digital Shield, an $18.9 million investment in Flock Safety technology, which will deploy advanced cameras and drones across the county to support law enforcement and improve neighborhood safety.
“Digital Shield is about protecting every corner of DeKalb County,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “This unprecedented investment delivers the tools our police officers need to prevent crime, solve cases faster, and give residents the peace of mind they deserve. I will not allow law abiding citizens to become victims to the lawless. This is a defining moment for how we reimagine public safety in our county.”
Digital Shield leverages advanced license plate-recognition and real-time data sharing to help police track stolen vehicles, identify suspects, and provide critical leads during investigations. Strategically placed cameras will cover major corridors, neighborhoods, and high-traffic intersections throughout the county.
Key features of Digital Shield include:
- Countywide deployment of Flock cameras and drones at locations identified through data-driven crime analysis.
- Integration with the $2 million Real Time Crime Center, strengthening investigative capabilities.
- Collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions, many of which already use Flock technology.
- Built-in safeguards to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical use of data.
CEO Cochran-Johnson also recognized the Board of Commissioners for their support:
“I want to thank the Board for unanimously approving this investment and Dr. Ladena Bolton for seeing the request through the Employee Relations and Public Safety (ERPS) Committee. With Digital Shield, DeKalb will lead the way in leveraging innovation to keep our communities safe.”
Implementation of Digital Shield will begin immediately, with full deployment expected within the next year.
Together, these initiatives represent a powerful step forward, bringing jobs, resources, and revitalization to DeKalb while enhancing security for residents countywide.
“These investments are about more than dollars,” said Cochran-Johnson. “They are about creating safer communities, ensuring access to essential resources, and delivering on my promise to work alongside the Board of Commissioners to deliver the most productive administration in DeKalb County history.”
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