Help Plan Gwinnett Place Area's Future at Workshops

The Gwinnett Place CID is inviting participation in a two-day interactive Community Design Workshop for the Gwinnett Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) 10-Year Update. The important workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4, and Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ferguson Elementary School

“Community members will work together with area leaders to develop a unified vision for the study area, identifying key catalyst sites and projects for development and redevelopment,” said Joe Allen, executive director of the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District, in an announcement of the workshop. “The resulting plan will drive job creation and economic development in the Gwinnett Place area over the next decade.”

The study area covers 12 square miles and encompasses the intersection of major roadways in Gwinnett County including Interstate 85, State Route 316, Pleasant Hill Road, State Route 120, and Satellite Boulevard. Facilities and resources within the study area include Gwinnett Place Mall, Discover Mills, Gwinnett Center, Gwinnett Technical College, and McDaniel Farm Park. Jacobs Engineering and Bleakly Advisors is assisting the GPCID with the update.

“The Gwinnett Place CID is proud to lead the 10-Year Update to the Gwinnett LCI in partnership with Gwinnett County and the Atlanta Regional Commission, said Gwinnett Place CID Board Chairman Leo Wiener, in the announcement. “The joint effort will identify implementable public and private investments that will strengthen the area moving forward.”

Workshop attendees will work with professional planners, designers, and market analysts to refine the needs of the study area through interactive activities and educational sessions. The Thursday meeting will use input received on Tuesday. The workshop will build upon the Gwinnett County Unified Plan, the 2001 initial Gwinnett LCI study, and other relevant studies. The findings from the workshop will be incorporated in the final report.

The update will be used to encourage private development and redevelopment in the area and obtain regional, state and federal funding for recommended public improvements. A primary goal of the study to achieve eligibility for Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) transportation improvements funding. Eligibility is achieved upon adoption of the study and its recommendations by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and approval by the ARC.

The study process for the update began in August 2011 and is anticipated to extend through March 2012. Ferguson Elementary School is located at located at 1755 Centerview Drive in unincorporated Duluth.