Fulton County Celebrates Major Renew the District Milestone
Fulton County Celebrates Major Renew the District Milestone
March 02, 2026
The final removal of 5 blighted hotel sites clears more than 17 acres for redevelopment on Fulton Industrial Boulevard.
Fulton County celebrated a major milestone on Friday, February 27, regarding its $180 million+ Renew the District initiative. Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts was joined by county leaders and elected officials for the ceremonial demolition of the former Knights Inn. Demolition of the building located at 4330 Fulton Industrial Boulevard in Southwest Atlanta is the final of 5 long-vacant hotel properties to be removed along the Fulton Industrial Boulevard corridor.
The demolition represents the culmination of a multi-year strategy to eliminate blight, reduce crime, and prepare one of metro Atlanta’s most visible industrial gateways for new investment, job creation, and long-term economic growth.
“The ceremony was not just about tearing down a building, it’s about removing barriers to opportunity,” said Chairman Robb Pitts. “For years, these sites were symbols of disinvestment. But through Renew the District, we are turning them into catalysts for jobs, business growth, and a stronger future for South Fulton and all of Fulton County.
Since 2022, Fulton County has strategically acquired and demolished five underutilized hotel properties (the Airways Motel, Executive Inn, Super Inn, Red Roof Inn, and now the Knights Inn) creating more than 17 acres of redevelopment-ready land near the gateway of Fulton Industrial Boulevard and Interstate 20.
At more than 55 million square feet of commercial space and 26,000 jobs, Fulton Industrial is one of the largest concentrations of industrial space in the United States and the largest in metro Atlanta. The Renew the District initiative is designed to reposition the corridor as a competitive location for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and innovation-driven industries.
“Fulton Industrial has long been a major economic engine, but it has not always had the infrastructure and amenities to match its importance,” said Samir Abdullahi, Director of Select Fulton. “This work is changing the narrative and creating new opportunities for residents, workers, and businesses.”
In addition to targeted blight removal, Renew the District includes significant public investments that are modernizing the area and improving quality of life:
• $40M+ for the new Fulton County Animal Services Facility, a 50,000-square-foot regional shelter
• $11M+ for the Public Safety Training Center, a centralized campus for police, fire, and emergency management
• $3M+ for a new Fire Rescue Station at Fulton County Executive Airport
• $40M+ in Fulton County Executive Airport improvements, including runway, taxiway, safety, and facility upgrades
• $10M+ in targeted blighted property acquisition and demolition
“Public-private partnership is the foundation of Fulton Industrial’s success,” said Gil Prado, Executive Director of the Fulton Industrial CID. “By removing obsolete properties and investing in modern infrastructure, Fulton County is sending a strong signal to the market that this corridor is ready for the next generation of employers.”
County leaders emphasized that the demolition is part of a broader, long-term strategy to “future-proof” the corridor by improving safety, modernizing public facilities, enhancing airport operations, and assembling sites that can compete for major economic development projects.
With the final hotel site cleared, Fulton County will continue working with municipal, CID, and private partners to market the assembled acreage for redevelopment and attract employers that align with the region’s workforce and infrastructure strengths.
The demolition represents the culmination of a multi-year strategy to eliminate blight, reduce crime, and prepare one of metro Atlanta’s most visible industrial gateways for new investment, job creation, and long-term economic growth.
“The ceremony was not just about tearing down a building, it’s about removing barriers to opportunity,” said Chairman Robb Pitts. “For years, these sites were symbols of disinvestment. But through Renew the District, we are turning them into catalysts for jobs, business growth, and a stronger future for South Fulton and all of Fulton County.
Since 2022, Fulton County has strategically acquired and demolished five underutilized hotel properties (the Airways Motel, Executive Inn, Super Inn, Red Roof Inn, and now the Knights Inn) creating more than 17 acres of redevelopment-ready land near the gateway of Fulton Industrial Boulevard and Interstate 20.
At more than 55 million square feet of commercial space and 26,000 jobs, Fulton Industrial is one of the largest concentrations of industrial space in the United States and the largest in metro Atlanta. The Renew the District initiative is designed to reposition the corridor as a competitive location for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and innovation-driven industries.
“Fulton Industrial has long been a major economic engine, but it has not always had the infrastructure and amenities to match its importance,” said Samir Abdullahi, Director of Select Fulton. “This work is changing the narrative and creating new opportunities for residents, workers, and businesses.”
In addition to targeted blight removal, Renew the District includes significant public investments that are modernizing the area and improving quality of life:
• $40M+ for the new Fulton County Animal Services Facility, a 50,000-square-foot regional shelter
• $11M+ for the Public Safety Training Center, a centralized campus for police, fire, and emergency management
• $3M+ for a new Fire Rescue Station at Fulton County Executive Airport
• $40M+ in Fulton County Executive Airport improvements, including runway, taxiway, safety, and facility upgrades
• $10M+ in targeted blighted property acquisition and demolition
“Public-private partnership is the foundation of Fulton Industrial’s success,” said Gil Prado, Executive Director of the Fulton Industrial CID. “By removing obsolete properties and investing in modern infrastructure, Fulton County is sending a strong signal to the market that this corridor is ready for the next generation of employers.”
County leaders emphasized that the demolition is part of a broader, long-term strategy to “future-proof” the corridor by improving safety, modernizing public facilities, enhancing airport operations, and assembling sites that can compete for major economic development projects.
With the final hotel site cleared, Fulton County will continue working with municipal, CID, and private partners to market the assembled acreage for redevelopment and attract employers that align with the region’s workforce and infrastructure strengths.