ross COfficial newsletter R ads of the September 2008 INSIDE THIS ISSUE… Trek or treat…p. 10 A cold-blooded A new look at Old Town, suspect…p. 10 Town Center…p. 3 2009 SPLOST could have big impact in Suwanee Voters will make several important decisions when they cast their ballots this Suwanee’s 25th November. Perhaps the one with the greatest local impact will be whether or ‘Celebration of Community’ not to extend the Gwinnett County SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Saturday, September 20 Sales Tax). When the 2005 SPLOST comes to a 10 am-10 pm close in April 2009, the City of Suwanee will have received about $6.6 million to Town Center Park fund transportation, recreation, and public ~ arts & crafts ~ safety capital projects. Among the SPLOST-funded projects undertaken in ~ free entertainment ~ Suwanee are the Big Splash fountain, play- ground at Sims Lake Park, police commu- Suwanee signature Mayor Dave ~ children’s activities & rides ~ nication equipment, pedestrian bridge over Williams signs the 2009 SPLOST ~ fabulous food ~ Suwanee Creek, and several sidewalk and agreement with Gwinnett County. street resurfacing projects. “Little Penny. ~ Ricochet & The Lost Trailers ~ Big Impact.” signs have been installed around the City to give residents a better idea of the local impact of the one-penny sales tax. ~ parade ~ “Through SPLOST,” says Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Roth, “we’ve ~ fireworks ~ been able to make long-term improvements for the community much sooner than would have been possible through the operating budget.” Schedules and more details The SPLOST program before Gwinnett County voters in November is a beginning on page 4. five-year program. If approved, the City of Suwanee is expected to receive more than $12.8 million between April 2009 and March 2014. Continued on page 2 Page 2 September 2008 www.suwanee.com SPLOST…continued from page 1 City Council has designated that 2009 SPLOST funds would be spent in the following areas: Roads and bridges – $5.9 million (46%) Recreation – almost $2.4 million (19%) Parking facilities – $2.5 million (19%) Public safety – $1.9 million (15%) Administrative facilities – $150,000 (1%) While 2005 Suwanee transportation projects tended to concentrate on sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian connections, plans for the 2009 SPLOST focus more on vehicle-related improvements. “City Council wants to focus on road enhancements – such as improving intersections or adding turn lanes – that will improve traffic flow,” says Roth. One road that could see multiple improvements for non-vehicular traffic, though, is Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The City’s Capital Improvements Program calls for enhanced crossings in multiple locations Project funded in part by along the busy road. Other road projects could include resurfacing, more sidewalks, and storm drainage improvements. SPLOST funds would be allocated for a parking facility at Town Center. Roth notes that several communities working to improve their downtown areas have identified a parking facility as an important capital improvement in 2009 SPLOST plans. Recreation funds would cover a variety of projects associated with the Suwanee Creek Greenway. The largest of those projects would be reha- bilitation of the oldest section of the greenway from Martin Farm Road to Suwanee Elementary. In order to address the frequent flooding along that section, the existing trail would be replaced with boardwalk material. Other recreation projects would include installing an irrigation well at Town Center Park, extending the greenway to Smithtown Road, adding additional soft surface trails, and installing a connector trail at Sims Lake Park. The 2009 SPLOST also would fund a police substation in the Suwanee Gateway area. With the expected renova- tion of the Gateway area as a vibrant business, commercial, and visitor center, additional police presence will be need- ed. The geographical make-up of Suwanee with the I-85 artery running through the Gateway area also makes a precinct in that area desirable, notes Roth. Finally, the small admin- istrative facilities allocation City of Suwanee Proposed Funding Categories for 2009 SPLOST would be for office and secu- rity-related renovations of the Parking Facility Crossroads Center, which 19% when the new City Hall opens, will function solely as Admin. Facilities Roads & Bridges the municipal court facility. 1% 46% Since the mid-1980s, Gwinnett County voters have approved a series of SPLOST programs. Suwanee and other Gwinnett County cities began receiving a larger per- centage of SPLOST funds, Public Safety based on population, with passage of House Bill 709 in 15% Recreation 19% 2004. September 2008 Page 3 www.suwanee.com City to take closer look at Old Town,Town Center through downtown master plan process The focus of Suwanee’s next master planning effort will be its historic Old Town and newly developed Town Center areas. The City begins this month the process of updating its 2002 Old Town Master Plan, expected to take 6- 9 months. “We want to find a way to merge these two areas,” says Planning Director Josh Campbell. “Our desire is that both of these areas – these two sides of downtown Suwanee’s personality – be compatible and tied to one another.” The City has hired Ecos Environmental Design, an Atlanta-based landscape architecture, urban design, and plan- ning services firm, to lead the downtown master planning process. Throughout the process, Ecos will collaborate with other firms: Market & Main will focus on housing; URS will concentrate on transportation issues; and architectural firm Smith Dalia also will consult. The cost for the master plan update will be about $85,000. As this newsletter was going to press, the City planned to appoint 12-15 residents, business own- ers, and other stakeholders to form a downtown master plan steering committee, which will brain- storm, raise issues, and provide feedback to staff and consultants. The steering committee is expected to begin its work this month. The first of five community meetings is antici- pated for October. Community meetings will be open to Suwanee residents and downtown stake- holders. These meetings, notes Campbell, will offer opportunities for citizen involvement through review and input. A survey will be conducted at the first meeting. Check www.suwanee.com for a schedule Town Center of community meetings. “We need to explore future development in Old Town while respecting the unique character of the City seeks citizens for area,” says Campbell. Another delicate balancing act to be explored planning boards vacancies through the Suwanee Downtown Master Plan process The City of Suwanee is accepting applications from resi- will be meeting transportation needs while providing dents who would like to serve on one of the City’s planning pedestrian-friendly access to and connections between and zoning boards. sections of downtown Suwanee. The Planning and Zoning Commission hears all planning “Buford Highway bisects downtown Suwanee,” says and zoning matters, including all rezoning and special use Campbell. “Ideally, Buford Highway could function permit requests, and makes recommendations to City Council more like a local road, a road that pedestrians would on these matters. feel comfortable walking along and crossing. The Zoning Board of Appeals considers and rules on all “Despite the variance requests, which are required when a developer or success of Town property owner wishes to do something not ordinarily allowed Center,” he adds, by the City’s zoning ordinances or when the City's zoning “we have some chal- ordinances create a hardship. Decisions of the Appeals Board lenges in our down- are not subject to the review of City Council and can only be town area. The appealed to Gwinnett County Superior Court. master planning Both groups meet on a monthly basis, and the five mem- process will help us bers of each board are appointed by City Council to two-year identify strategies terms. Appointees must reside in the City of Suwanee. for addressing these To request an application, contact Planning Director Josh challenges and Campbell at [email protected] or 770/945-8996, ext. embracing new 229. Applications will be accepted through September 30. Old Town opportunities.” Page 4 September 2008 www.suwanee.com Suwanee Day September 20, 2008 • Town Center Park Free shuttle transportation from off-site parking begins ~ 9 am Parade ~ 10 am Arts & crafts exhibitors ~ 10 am – 5 pm Inflatable rides, children’s activities ~ 10 am – 7:30 pm Free entertainment ~ 11 am – 10 pm The Lost Trailers ~ 7 pm Ricochet ~ 8:30 pm Fireworks ~ 9:45 pm Free shuttle transportation to off-site parking ends ~ 10:30 pm Festival vendors offer A-Z Richard Shivers • A Measure of Clay array of gotta-have items What he makes: Functional wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery that is food-safe. Lots of earth They’re an eclectic, tempting lot. The tones. And lots of bowls, from cups for soup to 4- nearly 100 arts and crafts exhibitors at the 25th quart serving bowls. Suwanee Day will offer an array of handmade What you can expect to pay: $7-65. items that are sure to make that perfect gift or that just-have-to-have-it object for yourself. His day job: Music teacher at Riverside Elementary. Between them all, the 2008 Suwanee Day How he got interested in pottery: “It’s just one of those life-long desires,” Shivers vendors offer a veritable alphabet of items from says. “It was something I always wanted to learn how to do. I thought I’d have to artisan jewelry to yard art, baskets to tutus, retire before I could get to it.” Shivers began taking pottery lessons at the Hudgens baby trinkets to university logo wear, and Art Center four years ago. everything in between: bird feeders, bracelets, What he enjoys about his art: “The whole process is fun.