The City of Johns Creek continues to win awards and garner positive state-wide and national attention for its businesses, growth and development projects, as well as its strong community ties.
Most recently the city was recognized with the Georgia Partnership for Quality Transportation (GPQT) Award for engineering achievements related to the Medlock Bridge Road (SR 141) project. The award was in the Design of an Alternative Mode of Transportation Facility category, showcasing the 15-foot wide trail that will wind through the new boardwalk and park that’s under construction behind city hall.
The city has also received the Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit Award for Large Redevelopment Project of the Year for The Boardwalk at Town Center.
That award was given to Johns Creek at the 15th annual MARS event presented by Gwinnett’s Community Improvement Districts (Gwinnett CID), co-hosted by Partnership Gwinnett and the Council for Quality Growth.
With more than 270 business and community leaders in attendance, Johns Creek Assistant City Manager, Chris Haggard and Community Development Director, Ben Song, accepted the award for the project.
About the MARS award
The annual awards event recognizes key development and redevelopment efforts driving economic growth and job creation in the 11-county metropolitan statistical area. According to a release about the award, the winning projects for 2025 “showcase the vision, partnerships and strategic efforts [that] drive business, attract talent and transform places into thriving destinations.
The recognition of The Boardwalk at Town Center at the MARS event is further acknowledgement of how Johns Creek continues to foster economic growth, innovation and an exceptional quality of life for people who live in, work in or visit the city.
Excellence in economic development
Another recently received award is the Excellence in Economic Development award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Presented at the organization’s annual conference, the award recognizes Johns Creek’s efforts to “reimagine and redevelop the Johns Creek Town Center area into a vibrant and viable destination.”
The IEDC was particularly interested in The Boardwalk project, the mixed-use Medley development and the many road and trail improvements in the city, including the pedestrian tunnel under Medlock Bridge Road.
The Atlanta Regional Commission
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) recognized the city and the Town Center project with its 2025 Livable Center award. Presented at the ARC’s State of the Region breakfast in October, the award honors Johns Creek’s “vision to transform a traditional office park into a vibrant, walkable downtown hub.” But the award doesn’t just celebrate the project, but the “people and partnerships that are shaping the future of the city.”
Safest city in the state and country rankings
Safety and home security research group, SafeWise, named Johns Creek the No. 5 Safest City in Georgia for 2025 and the No. 2 Safest City in America in 2024.
U.S. News & World Report ranked the city as the Best Place to Live in the U.S. in 2025, as well as No. 1 in the Safest Places to Live “crime” subcategory.
According to a release from the city, these accolades are the result of the city’s focus and commitment to “championing strategic priorities centered on improving the quality of life for all who call Johns Creek home. By continuing to further the vision and plan for Town Center, Johns Creek remains at the leading edge of innovation and creativity.”
For more information, visit johnscreekga.gov.
Top photo: MARS 2025 winners; Photo from Partnership Gwinnett.
