Deputy City Manager David Junger is giving Decatur residents a first‑hand look at the massive makeover unfolding in the heart of downtown, saying the redesigned Square should be ready to welcome visitors this summer even as crews work toward a fuller reopening in 2026.
In a short video posted Tuesday, Junger walks through the active construction zone as fencing, fresh grading and early work on a new performance stage hint at what is coming next. Behind him, crews continue pushing toward a mid‑2026 milestone tied to major summer events.
Junger's On‑Site Update
In the clip, Junger walks along fenced sections of the Square and explains that the area “will welcome visitors to the new and improved Square this summer,” a line shared alongside the video. According to City of Decatur, he calls out work on utility connections and the stage footprint as key milestones that need to be wrapped up in the coming months.
What's Included in the Redesign
The plan enlarges the central lawn, removes the existing community bandstand in favor of a permanent performing‑arts stage with a green room, adds permanent public restrooms, creates a hillside playscape and installs green stormwater infrastructure and improved pedestrian access. According to City of Decatur, the redesign will also reconfigure the North McDonough loop to carve out more public space while preserving key public artworks.
Timeline and Funding
Officials and downtown partners say the $8.5 million overhaul is funded with SPLOST II dollars and is on an accelerated schedule intended to be substantially complete for summer programming. Visit Decatur notes the goal of a full reopening before the FIFA World Cup in June 2026, and local coverage of the project's April 2025 groundbreaking highlighted the $8.5 million price tag. WSB‑TV reported on the start of work last year.
How Construction May Affect Downtown
City staff say the Square and surrounding businesses will remain largely accessible during construction, although phased closures and pedestrian detours will be necessary at points. As outlined by City of Decatur Public Works, crews have already put alternate walking routes in place near the MARTA western entrance while work continues.
What to Watch Next
The city says periodic updates will roll out as crews hit new milestones and reopen sections of the Square, with renderings, schedule notes and outreach materials available on the project’s information pages. For continuing updates, Visit Decatur and the city’s social channels will share new postings and notices about access and events.
