Cobb’s aging community
has opportunities for seniorfriendly
SENIOR LIVING Cobb County, like the rest
FORECAST 2021 63
living, services
By Shannon Ballew
of metro Atlanta, is aging,
largely from residents that
already live here.
Over one in five metro Atlanta residents will be 65
or older by 2040, according to data from the Atlanta
Regional Commission. The ARC projects that the
metro region’s 65-and-older population will nearly
double from 12.2% in 2019 to 22% by 2050.
The area’s residents aging into this population
means there’s a growing demand for housing to
support them, Kate Sweeney of ARC said.
“As we’re tending to live longer and healthier lives,
most of us really want to stay in our communities
as we age, and communities that support every
stage of life — with pedestrian-friendly design,
access to transportation, housing options at a range
of price-points, and parks and trails that support
exercise and socialization — tend to be the kind
of communities we all enjoy,” she said. “However,
metro Atlanta is challenged in this area, with many
of our communities lacking these features. This
makes it very difficult for many people to remain in
the community, much as we may want to, regardless
of age, ability, or income. We are beginning to
see a growing demand for age-friendly, lifelong
communities in our region.”
Developers are building communities to meet
that demand.
Marietta officials approved in March plans for a
37-home Traton Homes development restricted to
people 55 and older at 1725 Stilesboro
Road between Kennesaw Mountain
National Battlefield Park and Barrett
Parkway. In June, the City Council
approved rezoning for a four-story
multifamily development with 94
units, marketed to seniors, at 565 Cobb
Parkway South. And in November,
Cobb commissioners approved a
request from developer Springhouse
that will put a 72,000-square-foot
assisted living and memory care facility
on about three acres off Hickory Grove
Road, in Kennesaw.
Mixed-use developments that are
senior-friendly are also on the rise.
One of Cobb’s largest upcoming
mixed-use projects will be Eastpark
Village in downtown Kennesaw. The
development will include 900 residential
homes including townhomes, seniorrestricted
condos, market-rate, luxury
multi-family homes and seniorrestricted
cottages as well as restaurants,
office space, retail shops and an outdoor
market project.
Construction is underway on a
181-unit development in east Cobb,
Overture Powers Ferry. The 55 and
up apartment complex is part of a
major revitalization effort of the
former “Restaurant Row” on Powers