For the City of Johns Creek, recent accolades and recognitions have brought the appeal of City to the forefront across Georgia and the nation.
Johns Creek is routinely recognized as not only one of the safest cities in Georgia but also in the nation. In 2025, US News & World Report ranked Johns Creek as the Best Place to Live in the U.S. and as the safest place to live in the U.S., ranking No. 1 in the Best Places to Live crime subcategory.
The safety and home security research group SafeWise named Johns Creek the No. 5 safest city in Georgia in 2025, the No. 2 safest city in America in 2024 and as No. 1 the Safest City to Raise a Family in 2022.
These types of rankings evoke a sense of civic pride within the community and oftentimes translate to increased attention. But the high rankings didn’t magically appear overnight. They emerged after years of the City and its elected leaders setting a clear vision and championing strategic priorities centered on improving the quality of life for all who call Johns Creek home.
One strong example of developing a plan and a vision for what a City aspires to provide can be seen in the evolution, and continued progress, of the Johns Creek Town Center area.
The City has received a string of high-profile awards, all related to the City’s Town Center or the Boardwalk at Town Center, the new park taking shape behind City Hall. These awards are testament to the hard work and strategic support City Council has given to efforts behind economic development and the realization of a true Town Center.
The first award the City recently received is the Excellence in Economic Development award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) presented at its annual conference.
This award recognizes efforts by Johns Creek to reimagine and redevelop the Johns Creek Town Center area into a vibrant and viable destination.
The IEDC Award committee was especially interested in the transformation currently taking place in the Town Center area, including:
• The Boardwalk at Town Center, the new park behind City Hall opening Summer 2026.
• The mixed-use Medley development, also a part of the Johns Creek Town Center. Currently taking shape along McGinnis Ferry Road and Johns Creek Parkway.
• And the major road and trail improvements in motion, including a new pedestrian tunnel under Medlock Bridge Road.
Through its perseverance and leadership, Johns Creek is helping to create a new downtown built in a manner which delivers on the needs of the community for a central gathering place and vibrant destination.
The second award recognition for the Town Center comes from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).
The Johns Creek Town Center was honored with a distinguished recognition from the ARC at its 2025 Regional Excellence Award event.
The ARC presented Johns Creek with the award for the 2025 Livable Center for the Johns Creek Town Center Livable Center Initiative.
Presented at the ARC’s State of the Region breakfast, this award recognizes the City’s vision to transform a traditional office park into a vibrant, walkable downtown hub – a destination that blends housing, retail, greenspace, and community life at the heart of Johns Creek.
This recognition celebrates not just a project, but the people and partnerships shaping the future of the City.
The third and final award recognizing the Town Center was presented to the City of Johns Creek at the 15thannual Metro Area Redevelopment Summit (MARS).
The City of Johns Creek received the 2025 MARS Award for Large Redevelopment Project of the Year for the City’s Boardwalk at Town Center.
The annual MARS event was presented by Gwinnett’s Community Improvement Districts and co-hosted by Partnership Gwinnett and the Council for Quality Growth. With more than 270 business and community leaders in attendance, Johns Creek was recognized for the outstanding work being done for the Boardwalk at Town Center.
The annual event recognizes key development and redevelopment efforts driving economic growth and job creation in the 11-county MSA (metropolitan statistical area).
The 2025 MARS award winning projects showcase the vision, partnerships, and strategic efforts which drive business, attract talent, and transform places into thriving destinations.
The recognition of The Boardwalk at Town Center at the 2025 Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit is further acknowledgement of how Johns Creek is continually seeking to foster economic growth, innovation, and an exceptional quality of life for visitors, businesses, and all who call Johns Creek home.
The Johns Creek Town Center is an iconic destination that represents the city’s diversity, culture, and values. As both a gateway and a connector, the Town Center incorporates a series of experiences that appeal to a variety of audiences and age groups. This inclusive and remarkable place is defined by intentional neighborhoods connected via natural resources and greenways that is synonymous with wellness and sustainable living.
By continuing to further the vision and plan for the Town Center, Johns Creek remains at the leading edge of innovation and creativity.
