The Cobb County Board of Commissioners has approved the Mableton Town Square Master Plan, located on Church Street in front of Mableton Elementary School. The Commissioners took the action at their May 28 meeting on the recommendation of the Recreation Board. The plan includes a covered play area, benches, picnic tables, water fountain and a plaza area for small events.

The Square was construction with funds from the last SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) as part of a plan to upgrade the infrastructure in the historic center of Mableton. Investment of public funds to create amenities such as this public gathering space are designed to attract private investment and a redevelopment of the area. The Square is under the management of Cobb PARKS.

Last fall, the Mableton Improvement Coalition, in coordination with Cobb Parks, hosted a public event “Imagine the Mableton Square.” Residents were invited to stop by the Square on a Friday afternoon and share their ideas for creating a vibrant community space. Dozens of folks did just that, suggesting the benches, playground and other features that found their way into this new Master Plan.

Presently, there is no funding to carry out the Master Plan. In the coming months, MIC will be working to identify funding sources. If you’d like to be involved with this effort, please contact Julie Carrick, Chair of MIC’s Parks Committee.

Representatives from MIC’s Economic Development Committee joined Cobb County Economic Development Division, SelectCobb, the Development Authority of Cobb County, City of Austell, Powder Springs Development Authority, and community stakeholders in Business Walks, an inaugural initiative dedicated to learning more about Cobb’s business community on Tuesday, May 7. District 4 Commissioner Cupid participated in one of the groups visiting local businesses as well.

The MIC team visited businesses on Veterans Memorial Highway and other groups fanned out to cities of Austell and Powder Springs, as well as Mableton’s Discovery Boulevard, and Austells’s Six Flags Industrial, Riverside Parkway, and Hartman Road areas. Reunited, the teams discussed their findings and work together to address any pressing matters.

What are Business Walks? Business Walks are an innovative business retention and expansion program that allows economic development groups to visit businesses for one-on-one interviews and facility tours. The teams gather feedback from companies on key matters, such as community engagement and services, opportunity for growth, workforce needs and current challenges. The teams also use surveys with predetermined questions to quickly diagnose firms on the brink of greatness or those at risk, increase awareness of programs and services offered by local and county organizations, and identify those businesses that may require further assistance. For business owners and operators, meeting with community leadership and development groups allows their voices to be heard and ensures a prosperous business climate for the future.

Want to get involved with MIC’s Economic Development team? Email Committee Chair Twila Hawthorne.

One of the most talked-about subjects in our Facebook group is restaurants. MIC’s Economic Development Committee decided to visit Mableton restaurants periodically, and provide some basic information about them — or in other words, “shine a spotlight” on the restaurants in our community. MIC does not endorse the restaurants; the Spotlight exists simply to introduce Mabletonians to restaurants in Mableton.

Date of visit:  Friday, May 17, 2019 @6:30pm

Food type:  Mexican

Takeout/Delivery:  Ubereats.com, doordash.com, postmates.com (catering available)

Location:  5015 Floyd Road SW, Mableton GA 30126 (Mableton Walk, Nickajack Road end)

Phone:  770.819.4444

Hours:
Mo/We:  12N – 1pm, 6pm – 9pm
Tu/Th:     12N – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm
Fr:            12N – 2pm, 5pm – 9pm
Sa/Su:     12N – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm

Website:  https://pacosmexican.wixsite.com/pacosmexican/hours-location?fbclid=IwAR1rGinIVCq6e3i8pR3clkd0T-KgeeOqLvbAOvmdyU8ea-rgE4lpY8PBmfg

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pacosmexicanrestauran

Food Safety Score:  96, Grade “A”, 1.14.19

Ambience:  Very comfortable, clean environment, music not too loud, and pleasant lighting.  Lots of booths (with comfortable padded seats) for better sound absorption and cozy “feel”.

Wifi: yes

Parking:  Paved, plentiful

Experience:  Early dinner hour on a Friday night, already really busy.  Seated promptly, not rushed for our orders, yet very quick delivery of meals, piping hot.

What we chose:  complimentary chips & salsa (chips were very tasty, even without the salsa):
* Combination plate #7 – 3 small portions of 1 enchilada (choice of cheese/chicken/beef) , 1 beef burrito, 1 chiles relleno (appeared to be green bell pepper vs. authentic poblano)
* Chicken & Shrimp – basically “deconstructed” Fajita with butterflied chicken breast (tender & moist) topped with pineapple slice, cheese dip, all atop standard Fajita mix of sautéed peppers/onions/tomatoes, and side of rice/beans and upon request, tortilla on the side
* Chiles Poblano – (with chicken, but Fajita and beef are other options) – two Poblano peppers stuffed/topped with (delicious) “melty” cheese and salsa, topped with rice and guacamole salad (lettuce/dollop of guacamole/tomatoes)

Menu Notes: 15 different sides, Lots of vegetarian options, Kids’ menu, Specials, Lunch Buffet 7 days/week – $8.99 adults, $4.50 kids