Westside Resident Thrives in Knight Park's Walkable Community

A New Chapter in Knight Park/Howell Station

Kimberly Smith, a 50-something resident of Knight Park/Howell Station, has found herself navigating a new chapter in her life after being displaced by a fire at her condo in Decatur in early 2025. Originally from Marietta, she now calls this neighborhood home while figuring out her long-term plans.

Smith initially sought temporary housing with her brother, who lives near The Optimist on Howell Mill Road. During this time, she also received an offer from friends traveling in an RV to rent their furnished home in Knight Park. This move provided her with a more stable environment and allowed her to explore the area more deeply.

Knight Park/Howell Station is a unique neighborhood that sits between several industrial landmarks, including the QTS Atlanta data center, Fulton County jail, and a Georgia Power transfer station. Despite its surroundings, it offers a peaceful retreat with access to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, just under a half-mile away. The community features a mix of historic homes and modern developments, along with a small park, playground, and an active neighborhood association.

Smith quickly felt at home with her neighbors, often joining them for walks and social gatherings. She enjoys the walkability of the area, frequently walking to beauty appointments at the Honey Bee Waxing Studio, located in The Salon Lofts at The Interlock on Howell Mill. She also frequents local shops and restaurants such as Perrine’s Wine Shop, Star Provisions on Ellsworth Industrial, Agavero Cantina on Huff Road, and Pancake Social at Westside Paper.

While she prefers walking for shorter trips, Smith drives to ULTA Beauty at the District at Howell Mill complex beside I-75 for haircuts. She appreciates the convenience of the Westside, even though many of her friends and social circles are on the northeast side of Atlanta.

For shopping, Smith relies on two Whole Foods locations on 14th Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown, as well as the Publix on Moores Mill Road, which is more than four miles north of Knight Park. She avoids the Publix at Atlantic Station, finding it too small for her needs. Instead, she often visits Costco in Brookhaven, a familiar location for her.

Smith continues to get prescriptions at the CVS on North Highland Avenue, as she remains uncertain about her future residence. While she has grown fond of the Westside, she anticipates eventually returning to the northeast side of Atlanta.

As a personal assistant, Smith frequently travels to the east side of Atlanta and Decatur to run errands for her employer, such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, and managing doctor appointments. Her commute involves driving along Marietta Boulevard to Donald L. Hollowell Parkway, then taking North Avenue by Georgia Tech into the east side neighborhoods.

Smith has learned to plan her schedule around school and work traffic to keep her commute within 20 to 25 minutes. She typically adjusts her work environment to arrive on the east side around lunchtime and return before 3 p.m. While she rarely faces delays, if she does, she adds about 15 more minutes to her travel time.

Smith has noticed improvements in pedestrian infrastructure on the Westside, such as more sidewalks and paths connecting to the Westside Beltline and other amenities. However, she believes there is still more work to be done, particularly along heavily traveled corridors connecting Knight Park to the Marietta Street Artery.

One of the main concerns she highlights is the bridge on Marietta Boulevard and West Marietta Street that crosses the railroad lines. The roadway is dangerous, and the sidewalk is unreliable. Smith hopes for continued improvements to make the area safer and more accessible for residents.