If you’ve driven through the intersection of Butner Road and Camp Creek Parkway lately, you already know the vibe. It’s chaotic. People are flying through there at speeds that would make a NASCAR driver sweat. Honestly, it’s been one of the biggest headaches for residents in the City of South Fulton for years.
But things are shifting. Fast.
As of January 2026, the south fulton ga news cycle isn't just about the usual small-town updates. We are watching a massive, historic changing of the guard combined with a sudden influx of federal cash meant to fix the very roads that have been terrifying us.
The Gumbs Era officially begins
On January 5, 2026, the city hit a milestone that most folks knew was coming but still felt heavy when it happened. Carmalitha Gumbs was officially sworn in as the first female mayor in the city’s short history.
She isn't a new face. Not by a long shot. Gumbs has been the District 2 Councilwoman since the city incorporated back in 2017. She’s seen the growing pains. She’s heard the complaints about the slow police response times and the lack of a "real" downtown area. Now, she’s the one holding the gavel.
Alongside her, a mix of old and new faces took their oaths. Aaron V. Johnson is the new kid on the block for District 2, while Jaceey Sebastian (District 4) and Natasha Williams Brown (District 6) are back for their second terms.
Why does this matter to you?
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Because the city council just ratified Keosha B. Bell as Mayor Pro Tem. They are moving as a unit. For a city that has occasionally struggled with internal friction, seeing a unanimous vote right out of the gate is... well, it’s a choice. It signals they want to get things done without the drama that usually clogs up local politics.
$480,000 to stop the "Deadliest Roads"
Let’s talk about that money.
Mayor Gumbs just announced that the city secured $480,000 in federal funding specifically for road safety. If you’ve lost a hubcap or a couple of years of your life trying to turn left on Fulton Industrial Boulevard, this is the news you’ve been waiting for.
Basically, the Department of Public Works is currently making a "hit list" of the worst spots. We’re talking about:
- Butner Road at Camp Creek Pkwy: The king of speeders.
- Fulton Industrial Blvd: Where we recently saw a tragic crash involving a driver going 92 mph in a 45 mph zone.
- Union Road: Currently undergoing Stage 1 construction for a new roundabout.
Expect to see more speed bumps, re-timed traffic lights, and those roundabouts that everyone loves to hate but actually keep people alive. Construction on the Old Fairburn Road and Stonewall Tell Road roundabouts is already extended through May 12, 2026, because of "unforeseen conditions." That’s code for "it’s taking longer than we thought," so keep using that detour through Pittman Road.
The $96 Million bet on Public Safety
The police chief situation has been a bit of a mess. After Keith Meadows' retirement settlement, the city is now launched into a nationwide search for a new top cop. In the meantime, Dr. Cedric Alexander is steerage as the Interim Managing Director of Public Safety.
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But the real story is the buildings.
The city is moving forward with a $96 million bond to build brand-new public safety facilities. We aren't just talking about a few fresh coats of paint.
- New Police Headquarters: A 75,000-square-foot facility at Old National Highway and Jonesboro Road. It’s going to include a Real-Time Crime Center and—kinda cool—an "Internet Exchange Zone" where you can safely meet up to sell stuff from Facebook Marketplace.
- Fire & Rescue Training Complex: A 51-acre site on Cascade Palmetto Highway. This is going to be a regional hub. It includes a burn training area and a new 911 call center.
The goal here is simple: reduce the time it takes for an ambulance or a squad car to get to your front door. The city is massive—90 square miles—and the current infrastructure just isn't cutting it.
Sandtown Village and the $209M makeover
If you live near Campbellton Road, your property value probably just twitched.
The $209 million Sandtown Village project just got a green light with a $6.3 million tax break. Hutch Development is planning to turn 60 acres of basically nothing into a mixed-use "live-work-play" spot.
What’s actually going in there?
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- About 290 apartments.
- 120,000 square feet of retail (everyone is praying for a high-end grocery store).
- Wetland boardwalks and trails.
It’s about 15 miles southwest of downtown Atlanta, and it represents a huge shift. For years, developers ignored anything south of I-20. Now, they are realizing this is the last "untapped" land in the metro area.
Watch out for the scams
It wouldn't be south fulton ga news without a word of caution. Recently, a local family lost $4,000 and ended up facing eviction because of a "squatter" scam.
A fake broker used a fraudulent lease to move them into a house they didn't own. It was sophisticated. If you are looking to rent in the area, please, double-check the property records on the Fulton County Tax Assessor’s website. If the "landlord" only wants to communicate via Telegram or Zelle and can't meet you at the property, run.
What you should do now
Things are moving fast in South Fulton, and staying in the loop is the only way to not get stuck in a three-hour detour or miss out on a community meeting about a new development in your backyard.
- Check the Detours: If you usually take Union Road, start baked-in an extra 10 minutes for the detour through June.
- Monitor the Public Safety Search: The city is looking for a new Police Chief. Public forums for candidates are expected by the spring. Show up. Ask the hard questions about patrol zones.
- Warming Centers: It’s January. If the power dips or the temps drop below freezing, the city has activated centers at local parks. Don't tough it out in a cold house.
- Property Taxes: The millage rate is staying at 12.399, but with the new $96 million bond, keep an eye on your assessment. Higher property values in Sandtown mean your bill might look different next year even if the rate stays flat.
The "New Era" isn't just a campaign slogan anymore. It’s happening in the form of bulldozers, new laws, and a whole lot of federal grants.