Over a dozen YELLS youth were present in Marietta City Council Chambers for the big announcement on March 19. After months of advocacy and showing up for their neighborhood, our young leaders eagerly awaited the details of the deal that would shape the future of their Franklin Gateway community. Our youth greeted Council members and community leaders with “I love Franklin Gateway” pins as they anxiously prepared for the news.
The agreement reached between the City of Marietta and Arthur Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment demonstrated that the voices of our Franklin Gateway youth and community had been heard. A future park and community space for neighbors to gather and enjoy is finally coming to Franklin Gateway!
As part of the agreement to sell the 34-acre property for the development of the new National Women’s Soccer League franchise headquarters on Franklin Gateway, Mayor Tumlin announced a commitment from both the City and Arthur Blank to the residents of the Franklin Gateway community. A separate 10 acres of land will be donated and designated for community benefit. Arthur Blank will also invest $1 million to help fund the park’s construction. This commitment ensures that, alongside new development, there will be intentional space set aside for the community itself, space that can be shaped by the very voices youth and residents have been working to uplift.
A YELLS teen who lived on Franklin Gateway for 16 years and has been very involved in advocating for his neighborhood spoke during public comment.
Antonio shared, “I want to thank every single one of y’all for just taking the time and considering what would be best for the community.”
More about the deal and additional comments from our YELLS youth are highlighted in the MDJ Article.
While this decision marks an exciting new chapter for Franklin Gateway, it did not happen overnight. It is the result of months of learning, listening, and advocacy led by youth, families, and community members who wanted to ensure their voices were part of the process. Since they first attended the meeting where City Council repurchased the 34-acre plot of land back from IKEA, YELLS youth have actively advocated for their neighborhood by attending City meetings, providing public comment, collecting community feedback, and even planning and moderating their own Town Hall. They have been out in the Franklin Gateway community, talking with residents and gathering their ideas through surveys and conversations.
The teens’ Town Hall created a powerful space for neighborhood voices to be heard and for meaningful dialogue between residents and City leaders. Youth led the discussion with confidence, posing thoughtful questions before opening the floor to the community. Residents engaged directly with Councilwoman Cheryl Richardson and Councilman Joseph Goldstein, fostering honest conversation and deeper understanding.
Throughout the process, teens have been building the skills to turn community voices into impact. Through a series of workshops with the Georgia Tech Wellness Technology Research Lab, teens have explored how to interpret data, understand community feedback, and use that information to advocate effectively. They are learning not just to collect data, but to translate it into insights that can influence real decisions. And our YELLS teens did just that.
We are incredibly proud of our young changemakers for consistently showing up, sharing their vision, and advocating for their community. The outcome of their efforts reflects what is possible when young people are equipped with the skills, confidence, and platform to lead. They are ready and eager to continue their partnership with the City of Marietta and other stakeholders to help bring these exciting plans to life in a way that reflects the real needs, experiences, and hopes of their Franklin Gateway neighborhood.
