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City purchases warehouse
for public works staff, equipment
The City of Suwanee recently closed on an approximately 12,000 square foot warehouse on nearly 1.34 acres at 3670 Windsor Park Drive. The 20-year-old warehouse will be utilized by the City’s 12-member public works department.
A 2005 space needs assessment conducted by Urban Collage found that the department had clearly outgrown available space, particularly when taking into consideration the City’s addition of – and need to maintain – more than 300 acres of parks and open space through its award-winning Open Space Initiative.
Public works staff members are responsible for maintenance of City parks, streets, sidewalks, facilities, and rights-of-way as well as the Suwanee water system.
Suwanee seeks original artwork
for new City Hall
 Through its Public Arts Commission, the City of Suwanee has issued a call to professional artists or artist teams for design, execution, and installation of original artwork in up to three locations at its new City Hall.
The request for qualifications is open to professional artists residing in the United States, though preference may be given to Georgia-based artists. The deadline for submitting qualifications is November 19.
Suwanee’s new two-story, 23,600 square foot City Hall is expected to be completed early next year. Suwanee’s Public Arts Commission has identified three specific art projects for interior and exterior locations of the new City Hall:
- A pair of kinetic sculptures to be suspended from exposed rafters on the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the two-story lobby.
- A static or kinetic sculpture for outside the building’s entrance.
- A pair of pieces in any medium to be installed on facing walls on either side of the second-floor lobby.
See call to artists/request for qualifications.
How are we doing?
 In order to measure citizen opinions on quality of life and quality of service delivery, the City of Suwanee will ask 1,200 randomly selected residents to complete a 35-question National Citizen Survey.
During the first week of November, the selected households will receive mailed notification that they’ve been chosen to participate in the survey conducted by the National Research Center. The survey itself will arrive about a week later, with instructions that the adult (18 and older) in the household with the most recent birthday should complete the survey.
Says Financial Services Director Amie Sakmar: “The best way to measure how the City is performing is by conducting a comprehensive, scientific survey of citizen satisfaction levels.”
All responses to the survey are anonymous. The data collected will be tabulated and analyzed by an independent group, the National Research Center, with a final report presented to the City early next year.
Suwanee opens newest park
The City of Suwanee has opened its newest park – the fifth to be created through its award-winning Open Space Initiative. Sims Lake Park is comprised of 62 idyllic acres located at Suwanee Dam and Tench Roads.
 
 In addition to a 7-acre lake, Sims Lake Park features an approximately 1.2-mile looping trail, well-fed streamscape, playground area, picnic pavilion, and two 2-acre play meadows. The park also has public restrooms and parking for nearly 90 cars.
“We just absolutely loved it,” says Maria Stanfield of her and her husband David’s visit to the park. “The feeling it gave me – it was a total feeling of being at home, like I really belonged there.
“Some of the views were incredible,” Stanfield adds. “Who needs to drive to North Georgia to see the leaves this fall? We can enjoy them right here and save a lot of gas!”
The City of Suwanee will host grand opening festivities for the park from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, November 8. More details will be posted soon.
Sanitation services in Suwanee
to remain ‘as is’ – for now
 The new year will bring changes to how sanitation services are managed throughout unincorporated Gwinnett County, but in Suwanee, solid waste management will remain unchanged. For now, Suwanee residents will continue to select their provider, while the City evaluates different options for providing solid waste services.
In 2009, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful will begin to operate on behalf of the county a district-based contract system for sanitation services. The City of Suwanee will not be part of that system. City officials plan to observe implementation of the program and further analyze Suwanee’s needs in 2009.
The City of Suwanee has been evaluating sanitation services options for some time. It shares many of the same goals to be addressed by the county’s new solid waste management plan, which is expected to expand recycling opportunities, improve waste collection efficiencies, save energy, reduce greenhouse gases, and enhance the environment and quality of life for residents.
As part of its evaluation of solid waste management options, Suwanee officials will provide opportunities for citizens to offer comments and feedback.
Share your Suwanee story
Photo provided by Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Division of Archives & History, Office of Secretary of State. |
Do you recall when cotton bales used to line Main Street? Do you remember the first Caboose Lighting event or, more recently, the grand opening of Town Center Park? Do you have a heart-warming story about how you knew that Suwanee was the right hometown for you?
If you have a Suwanee memory or community story that you’d like to share, now you can do so on video. With the assistance of the North Gwinnett High School audio/video technology program, the City of Suwanee will be collecting Suwanee stories on videotape throughout the month of October.
Says Kimberly Larson, graduate intern in the city manager’s office: “This video, which will premiere at the grand opening of City Hall next year, is about Suwanee’s history. We’re documenting, celebrating, and commemorating where we came from.”
Thirty-minute interviews are being scheduled from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays through October. To sign up, contact Larson at klarson@suwanee.com or 770/945-8996, ext. 400.
Citizens wanted to serve on planning boards
The City of Suwanee is accepting applications from residents who would like to serve on one of the City’s planning and zoning boards.
Information about the roles and responsibilities of the Planning and Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals can be found on the Planning & Zoning Boards page.
Both groups meet on a monthly basis, and the five members of each board are appointed by City Council to two-year terms. Appointees must reside in the City of Suwanee.
To request an application, contact Planning Director Josh Campbell at campbell@suwanee.com or 770/945-8996, ext. 229. Applications will be accepted through September 30.
Suwanee recognized (again) for excellence in financial reporting
 The City of Suwanee’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) has received for the fifth consecutive year the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Suwanee’s fiscal year 2007 CAFR, prepared by the City’s financial services department, was judged by an impartial panel as meeting the highest standards, clearly communicating the City’s financial story, and demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure.”
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and, according to GFOA, “represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.”
Nominate a ‘wow’ project for Swan-ee Award
 Wow! If that’s your reaction when you see the results of a new construction or renovation project in Suwanee, please nominate that project for a second annual Swan-ee Award. The award program is the City’s way of recognizing folks who’ve achieved excellence in creating aesthetically attractive facilities.
The awards will be presented in December to individuals, businesses, and organizations who have created architectural swans. Recognized projects may include, but are not necessarily limited to, new construction, renovated buildings, landscaping, sustainable/long-term developments, “clean-up” projects, and public art. Projects must be within the City of Suwanee limits and preferably completed within the last year. Because the awards program is relatively new, older projects may be eligible as well.
The deadline for submitting nomination forms is October 17. For more information, contact Toni Shrewsbury at tshrewsbury@suwanee.com or 770/945-8996.
Master plan update to focus
on dual-personality downtown
Old Town |
Downtown Suwanee is a bit like the ancient Chinese symbol yin-yang. Quaint, historic Old Town and the newly constructed, bustling Town Center represent contradictory yet complementary aspects of downtown Suwanee. The City of Suwanee is poised to update its 2002 Old Town Master Plan in order to determine how best to create a unique synergy for its dual-personality downtown area.
Town Center |
“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 of Suwanee will contract with Ecos Environmental Design, an Atlanta-based landscape architecture, urban design, and planning services firm, to lead the 6- to 9-month downtown master planning process.
The first of five community meetings is anticipated for October. Community meetings will be open to Suwanee residents and downtown stakeholders. These meetings, notes Campbell, will offer opportunities for citizen involvement through review and input. More information.
Suwanee chief takes helm
of statewide organization
Photo by Main Street Photography |
Suwanee Police Chief Mike Jones has taken the helm of the 500-member Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP). Jones was sworn in July 15 at the GACP summer conference in Savannah.
As GACP president, Jones, a 34-year law enforcement veteran, will represent chiefs of state, county, municipal, college, and other law enforcement agencies throughout Georgia.
Jones has several goals for the association during his one-year term as president: positively influencing how traffic enforcement is implemented throughout the state, addressing retention issues, becoming more active in assisting agencies in becoming state-certified, and providing enhanced executive training classes.
Jones worked for 24 years with the Rome Police Department, where his father also was an officer, before becoming Suwanee’s chief 10 years ago.
25th Suwanee Day festival represented by one fun design
Ashleigh James, 23, is enjoying a lot of firsts in her life: Her first job out of college. Her first house. And her first logo contest win. (OK, she recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary.)
James’ design, which uses bright colors and fun graphics to capture the vibrancy of the Suwanee Day festival, was selected from among 73 entries (received from 58 individuals) to represent the 2008 festival, which marks the 25th celebration of Suwanee Day.
James is a Lawrenceville resident and 2007 graduate of Brenau University, where she earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic arts. She has returned to Buford, where she grew up, for work as a graphic designer with Accent South Media.
“I’ve always wanted to be an artist,” James says, “but always heard that you can’t make any money as an artist. As a graphic artist, I can make money - and be creative all day long.”
James’ 2008 Suwanee Day design will be used on festival t-shirts, posters, and other promotional items.
Edwin McCain to perform
at Town Center Park Aug. 16
 On tour to promote his just-released album, a collection of vintage R&B cover songs entitled Nobody’s Fault But Mine (Saguaro Road Records), platinum-selling singer/songwriter Edwin McCain will perform a free concert at Suwanee’s Town Center Park on Saturday, August 16. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. with two opening acts.
McCain is well-known for his blend of southern soul and acoustic storytelling as well as for his hits: I’ll Be, I Could Not Ask for More, Solitude, Write Me a Song, and Hearts Fall. More information.
Public safety, tech initiatives
part of 2009 balanced budget
The City of Suwanee’s $12.86 million fiscal year 2008-09 budget provides for new public safety initiatives and enhanced technology efforts. The budget, effective July 1, is balanced and requires no increases in City taxes. The millage rate is proposed to remain the same at 5.77.
Public safety initiatives account for many of the new items funded. In addition to adding two police officer positions and purchasing three police cars and one motorcycle, all of which will increase the department’s ability to undertake selected patrols and shift personnel as needed, the City of Suwanee is implementing a take-home car program. The program, which allows officers to drive police vehicles between home and work, is estimated to cost $90,820 next year.
“Several neighboring jurisdictions offer a take-home car program, a benefit that is very attractive to many officers,” says City Manager Marty Allen. “In order to remain competitive and to keep quality officers in our community, Suwanee will now test such a program, too.”
Other new initiatives in Suwanee’s 2009 budget focus on technology enhancements. The budget includes funds for digital records storage ($95,000) and a revamp of the City’s website ($75,000). Additional information.
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