History
Atlanta’s Industrial Hub for More Than 60 Years
Development of the Fulton Industrial corridor began in the 1950s and the area has seen incremental, but cyclical, growth for nearly seven decades. The 1970s and 1980s saw rapid expansion; however, by the 1990s and early 2000s, the growth slowed as the area faced the challenges of aging buildings, deferred infrastructure improvements, increases in crime and a lack of job growth. At the same time, increased competition from nearby jurisdictions with newer industrial parks and integrated common-area maintenance further incentivized local business owners to leave the Fulton Industrial Boulevard corridor for these more modern, well-maintained industrial parks.
The founding of the CID in 2010 charted a new course. Today, the largest industrial corridor in the eastern United States is a vibrant and fast-moving home to approximately 1,000 businesses and more than 26,000 jobs.
1950s
- Early 1950s, development begins along the corridor then known as Fulton Boulevard.
- Popular Bankhead Drive-In Theatre opens in 1950 at Fulton Boulevard and Bankhead Highway (today known as Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway).
- Former private airfield is purchased by Fulton County in 1952 and renamed Fulton County Airport (also known as Charlie Brown Field for a former Fulton County Commissioner during the 1960s). County undertakes major expansion and builds a terminal.
1960s
- Early 1960s, Fulton Boulevard is mostly dust and rock. A rock quarry is located in the area. The majority of land is controlled by several families, one of the largest being the M.D. Hodges family.
- Area’s location near major transportation nodes, I-20 and I-285, as well as proximity to William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport (as it was then known) and to the city of Atlanta fuels growth.
- Fulton Boulevard Drive-In Theater opens in 1962 at Fulton Industrial Boulevard and Bucknell Drive.
1970s
- Building of warehouses accelerates, with 64 structures built in 1973.
1980s
- 190 structures built in the 1980s.
1990s
- Construction activity slows, only 50 structures built during the decade.
2000s
- Only 25 structures added between 2000 and 2005.
2010
- Fulton Industrial CID is founded by area business leaders to create a united voice for the area and desire to make the Fulton Industrial area a regional leader in industrial markets.
2012
- Gil Prado hired as full-time executive director.
2013
- CID hires Frank Mazzilli as full-time public safety manager.
- Master Plan completed.
2015
- Gateway structure undergoes restoration and repainting.
2019
- Fulton County Airport renamed Fulton County Executive Airport to reflect its role as a major hub for corporate aviation in metro Atlanta.
2021
- City of South Fulton expands its boundaries to include Fulton Industrial Boulevard south of I-20. Annexation marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at South Fulton City Hall located at 5440 Fulton Industrial Boulevard.
2022
- Freight Cluster Plan completed.
2023
- Fulton County Animal Services relocates to new shelter at 1251 Fulton Industrial Boulevard.
2024
- Fulton County purchases and demolishes the Executive Inn and Super Inn to make way for redevelopment of the I-20/Fulton Industrial Boulevard Interchange.
2025
- Fulton Industrial area records lowest crime rate in more than 10 years. Crime decreases by 81% over the past decade.
- Sustainability Plan completed.
- CID marks 15 years in October.
If you have information to share about Fulton Industrial’s history, we would love to hear from you as we work to further document the corridor’s interesting past.
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