No powers probably means No Publix, for now

Fourteen votes – a razor slim margin in an already tight race within the Cedartown city limits – separated local shoppers from having a chance at a major development happening within the city limits — for now.

More than likely, the redevelopment powers question on the ballot for voters only within the city limits of Cedartown was a ‘no’ for most city residents, but just barely with the measure losing 306-292 in the special election on Tuesday, March 18.

The first vote in 2025 was meant to give the city certain powers for redevelopment purposes including the creation of a Tax Allocation District (or TAD) that then would have allowed for developers to negotiate getting a Publix to come to the city.

Without the power to create the TAD – which would have set aside a portion of tax collections annually for a certain period toward the improvement of the whole district from businesses within the district – the developers won’t be able to complete their deal for the corner lot they sought to build the grocery store and other outlying parcels that could have been home to other businesses: banks, restaurants, services and the like.

City Manager Edward Guzman wasn’t happy with the outcome of the vote – especially with such a close loss – but said the city would still be working toward future opportunities without the powers for the time being.

“Although the outcome of the vote for the Redevelopment Powers was very disappointing, the City will continue to encourage smart growth within the community,” he said. “We are still enthusiastic by the prospects that show interest in our community. We will continue to work tirelessly to move the City forward in ways that benefit all of our residents.”

Redevelopment powers aren’t dead and buried by the vote just yet. City officials will still have to study their options going forward, but the possibility exists they could go back before the legislature in 2026 with the same resolution for the ballot sometime next year.

The redevelopment powers have to be sought by each municipality, requiring local councils or commissions to work with their state representatives and senators to pass a resolution to get the referendum before voters on the ballot.