College Square, the pedestrian block staring straight at the University of Georgia’s iconic arch, is officially under construction as Athens rushes to turn the former roadway into a permanent plaza before the Bulldogs’ season kicks off this fall.
Crews started work this month on a redesign that trades asphalt for brick pavers, more seating and new trees, all meant to turn the stretch into a year-round hangout for students, visitors and downtown regulars. City leaders say the project will lock in what started as a pandemic-era outdoor dining experiment and give downtown a cleaner visual handoff to UGA’s North Campus.
In a news release, Athens-Clarke County said construction on the College Square Redesign project began January 28, 2026. The county estimates about eight months to reach substantial completion so the plaza can debut before Georgia’s first home game on September 5, with punch-list work expected to run into October. The effort is a partnership with the Athens Downtown Development Authority (ADDA), and officials say the plan is to prioritize ADA accessibility and stage the work so nearby businesses can stay open.
Officials have floated different price tags over the past few years, but recent local reporting puts the project at roughly $6-7 million. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the ADDA will cover most of the cost, with about $500,000 coming from the transportation special-purpose local option sales tax (TSPLOST).
Earlier planning documents and coverage suggested a higher bill. In 2025, Flagpole cited an estimate of roughly $9 million and noted that the ADDA had discussed acquiring a Harold Rittenberry sculpture for the plaza. That reporting also said the ADDA board voted to hire Sheridan Construction ahead of groundbreaking, marking the shift from big idea to active construction over the past year.
What the redesign includes
Project plans call for swapping the existing asphalt for brick pavers, widening and adding outdoor seating, installing large planters and trees, and bringing in shade sails and updated lighting. The redesign is intended to echo the look and feel of UGA’s North Campus while improving ADA access throughout the block.
The construction schedule is laid out in phases that are supposed to keep storefronts reachable, with some overnight and weekend work baked in to ease daytime disruption. The College Square project website includes renderings and a phasing map that shows how crews are expected to move through the site.
Who’s building it and why it matters
Local leaders are pitching the new plaza as both a game-day showpiece and an everyday civic backyard that should help drive foot traffic to downtown restaurants and shops.
"This converts an abandoned roadway across the street from the most important institution in town," ADDA director David Lynn told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Officials say they expect special programming, including live music, markets and festivals, to keep the plaza active well beyond football Saturdays.
The broader goal, according to local leaders, is to create a true year-round gathering spot that tightens the connection between campus life and downtown commerce.
Construction will move in stages through the spring and summer as crews race the calendar toward an October finish. Businesses and residents are being asked to keep an eye on posted timelines and access changes as the work shifts from one section of the block to another.
For ongoing updates, renderings and contact information for the project’s community liaison, visit the College Square project website or the Athens-Clarke County news page.
