Accolades for Suwanee police, parks

Suwanee heroes: From left, Det. Shane Edmisten, Det. Rob McCoy, Lt. Matt Scott, Sgt. Dwayne Black, Lt. Dan Clark.

Suwanee police officers and parks recently received rave reviews – and awards – from regional organizations.

Suwanee’s Criminal Investigation Division was named Public Safety Unit of the Year when the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce presented its 2008 Valor Awards on March 28. The Criminal Investigation Division includes Lt. Dan Clark, Det. Shane Edmisten, and Det. Rob McCoy.

In addition, Sgt. Dwayne Black received a bronze Medal of Valor for bravery and heroism. Lt. Matt Scott also was nominated for a Valor Award.

Each of the Valor Awards presented to Suwanee officers relate to the police department’s 100 percent success rate in tracking down and arresting those who attempted to rob banks in the City of Suwanee in 2007. More information.

Councilmembers Jimmy Burnette and Dan Foster accepted the Park Pride Inspiration Award on behalf of the City.

Park Pride, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that leads and inspires action for parks and greenspace, awarded the City of Suwanee its 2008 Inspiration Award during its Parks and Greenspace Conference March 31. Suwanee won in the government category for extraordinary commitment to preservation and improvement of parks and greenspaces as demonstrated through its $17.7 million Open Space Initiative.

“More than any other jurisdiction in metro Atlanta, the City of Suwanee exemplifies the ‘Parks and Sustainability’ theme of Park Pride’s conference,” says Park Pride Executive Director George Dusenbury. “They have literally built a walkable, smart-growth city by creating new parks and encouraging appropriate development around them. Park Pride views the City of Suwanee as a model for the rest of the region.” More information.

Art: It’s not just for walls anymore

The City of Suwanee has taken a significant step toward bringing more public art to parks, neighborhoods, and other areas throughout the community. At its March 25 meeting, City Council approved establishment of a Suwanee Public Arts Commission.

“This is an important step for the City of Suwanee as we become a more mature community,” says Mayor Dave Williams. “We value art, and we believe that it plays a significant role in helping to create a wholesome, well-rounded community.”

The seven-member commission will be tasked with:

• assisting the City and other organizations and businesses in commissioning and selecting artists to create public works of art
• developing master plans, policies, and other program elements
• serving in an advisory capacity to other organizations and businesses interested in pursuing public art projects
• encouraging and assisting applicants seeking development permits in the creation of public arts projects
• soliciting temporary and permanent art displays in City facilities.

Commission members must be citizens of Suwanee or affiliated with a business located in the Suwanee corporate limits with expertise and/or interest in the arts, architecture, development, or related area. If you’d like to be considered for appointment to the Public Arts Commission, please send an email of interest to Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Roth at jroth@suwanee.com by April 18.

Welcome to the 'heart & soul' of Suwanee

Downtown Suwanee will be the center of attention when more than 40 visitors from across the state roll into town on their chartered bus Wednesday afternoon, April 16. The visitors, who represent government agencies, foundations, and developers from across the state, are visiting thriving downtowns in nine north metro communities.

Organized by the Georgia Cities Foundation, the three-day Heart & Soul tour highlights innovative ways by which some Georgia cities have created vibrant, attractive downtown communities that enhance the quality of life and attract economic development.

“This is a great opportunity for us to show off our downtown – both sides of its captivating personality,” says Downtown Manager Jane Keegan.

In addition to Suwanee, 2008 Heart & Soul participants will visit Lawrenceville, Norcross, and Buford as well as Decatur, Roswell, Woodstock, Acworth, and Kennesaw.

Road map to 2030

The City of Suwanee is nearing completion of its 2030 Comprehensive Plan/Community Agenda process. A draft of the plan is available for public review. A public hearing on the comprehensive plan is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22.

Building upon the new directions established through the 2020 town master plan, the 2030 Comprehensive Plan creates a community vision that aims to balance Suwanee’s residential, small-town feel with continued commercial, employment, and economic development opportunities. The plan will guide how Suwanee develops over the next 10 years at least.

For the first time in Suwanee’s history, according to the plan, future growth, to a large degree, is likely to be via redevelopment rather than on previously undeveloped sites. Much of the City’s future growth is envisioned in three distinct areas: Suwanee Gateway, Town Center, and in nodes along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

The plan divides the entire City into 10 distinct character areas and describes expected, desired growth in each of the areas. Many of the areas, including most existing neighborhoods, are expected to experience little, if any, significant changes.

The City of Suwanee is accepting written comments regarding the 2030 Comprehensive Plan through April 1. Comments may be mailed to City Hall or e-mailed to 2030plan@suwanee.com.

Tour de Suwanee

When the 120 athletes participating in the 2008 Tour de Georgia presented by AT&T begin Stage 5 in Suwanee Friday morning, April 25, they will have pedaled through about half of their nearly 600-mile course across the state of Georgia. The “challenging” news for the riders is that the Stage 5 course, the first of two back-to-back mountain stretches, is this year’s longest, covering approximately 133 miles as the peloton pedals its way to Dahlonega. The following day, riders will climb Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest peak at 4,784 feet.

The Suwanee-Dahlonega stage start will begin at 10 a.m. at Town Center Park, 370 Buford Highway. Local fans and those who follow the race across the state will find several good viewing locations along the first portion of the day’s route within the Suwanee City limits.

From Town Center, riders representing 15 teams will zigzag their way up Brogdon Road, turning onto Tench Road and pedaling by Level Creek Elementary School, where they’ll be greeted enthusiastically by the school’s 1,200 students, before turning onto Suwanee Dam Road. The riders will then come back by Town Center Park as they head south on Buford Highway and then west on McGinnis Ferry Road. As they cross the Chattahoochee River, the peloton will have ridden nearly six miles through Suwanee.

“We’re really excited to have these professional riders go by Level Creek Elementary,” says Dr. Nancy Kiel, principal of the school. “For the kids to see these international athletes and get a sense of the hard work and commitment that it takes to be a world-class cyclist –  that’s a great example for the children.”

More information about Tour de Georgia.

Suwanee water users doing their part

Those shorter showers and fuller loads of dishes and laundry are paying off, Suwanee. Congratulations to City of Suwanee water system customers who clearly have been doing their part to help conserve water as Gwinnett County and much of north Georgia address historic drought conditions.

As part of the state’s response to the drought, Gov. Sonny Perdue ordered that beginning  November 1 all water systems in affected areas reduce monthly water production by 10 percent. Because the more than 800 people served by the City’s water system have taken steps to reduce water usage, the Suwanee system has been able to meet that goal each month.

The City of Suwanee is taking additional measures to reduce water usage. A streetscape project planned and approved for the Gateway area has been placed on hold. And, Big Splash fountain at Town Center Park will remain off at least for the near-term.

The City of Suwanee and other government agencies continue to monitor the drought situation and appropriate responses. As of March 17, Lake Lanier remained more than 15 feet below its full pool level.  For ideas about how you can conserve more of this precious commodity, visit www.conservewatergeorgia.net.

Suwanee events win kaleidoscope of awards

The City of Suwanee took home an array of awards from the 2008 Southeast Festivals and Events Association annual conference held in Greenville February 19: four gold or first-place awards as well as a second-place recognition.

Suwanee Day volunteer extraordinaire Kim Towne

• Primrose Schools of Suwanee won in the Best Sponsor category for the schools’ interactive sponsorship of Suwanee Day.

• Kim Towne, Suwanee Day volunteer chairperson, was recognized as Best Volunteer for her work in upgrading the festival’s online volunteer registration process.

• “Sail-A-Bration” activities at Suwanee Day, which celebrated Suwanee’s designation by Money magazine as one of America’s best places to live, were recognized in the Best Event within an Event category.

• A photograph (shown right) that depicts Jere Flynt conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra during a June 30 concert at Town Center Park won for Best Event Photo. The photograph was taken by Lynne Bohlman DeWilde, Suwanee’s public information officer.

•  Last year’s Suwanee Day t-shirt, the design for which was created by Amanda Savage, a 2007 Oconee County High School graduate, won a silver award in the Best T-Shirt category.

“It was awesome to bring home so many awards,” says Amy Doherty, Suwanee’s events coordinator. “I’m really pleased for Primrose Schools and volunteer coordinator Kim Towne. It’s because of the support and collaborative efforts of community businesses and individuals like them that Suwanee is able to host such great events.”

Road – and underpass – work ahead

Whether you travel around Suwanee by foot or by car, several long-anticipated projects will soon make the trip a little easier.

Pedestrian underpass
City of Suwanee staff members have worked with lowest-bidding contractor, JJE Constructors, Inc., to find ways to reduce costs on this project. The price tag for the underpass has been reduced nearly $300,000 to $1,274,210, and construction is expected to begin this spring. The underpass, which will provide a pedestrian connection between the City Hall/Town Center area and historic Old Town, is expected to open late this year.

McGinnis Ferry Road Bridge
This project will widen the McGinnis Ferry Road bridge over the Chattahoochee River and complete the gap between the current McGinnis Ferry Road widening project in Forsyth and Fulton counties to the existing four-lane section in Gwinnett County.  The Georgia Department of Transportation expects to bid this project in June with work to begin later this year. Construction will take approximately 18 months. Typically two lanes will be open to traffic throughout the construction period.

GDOT will host a public hearing/open house for this project from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at Peachtree Ridge High School.

McGinnis Ferry extension
At the other end of McGinnis Ferry Road, Gwinnett Department of Transportation officials continue to work on finalizing design for the extension of McGinnis Ferry over I-85. City officials are hopeful that construction of this three-mile extension will begin by next year.

GDOT will host a public hearing/open house for the extension project from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Peachtree Road Baptist Church, 142 Old Peachtree Road.

Suwanee’s looking for a few good farmers

The Suwanee Farmers Market opens Saturday, May 3. The market will be open from 8 a.m.-noon every Saturday through October 11 (except for September 20) at Town Center Park.

The City of Suwanee invites farmers, gardeners, and others who offer agricultural products to register to participate in the farmers market. Click here for more information about guidelines and an application.

Raise your hand...step up...
get involved with your community

The City of Suwanee is offering several opportunities for area residents to get involved with their community. Go ahead and take the plunge – your community will benefit from your time and efforts and, as these things go, you’ll probably get more out of the experience than you put in.

Tour de Georgia

Photo by PhotoSports International

Stage 5 of North America’s premier professional cycling event will begin in Suwanee April 25. Route marshals and other volunteers are needed to assist on race day as well as during events the evening before. You can volunteer online or contact Pete Sherrard with the Gwinnett Sports Commission at psherrard@gcvb.org or 770/814-6052.

Life is Good in Suwanee

The City of Suwanee will host a Life is Good festival at Town Center Park June 14. “This is going to be a very different kind of event for Suwanee,” says Events Coordinator Amy Doherty. “It’s not going to be a typical kind of festival. But it will be an interactive, fun event for citizens of all ages that brings ‘good vibes’ to Suwanee.”

If you or your organization would like to help plan or staff this event, please contact Doherty at adoherty@suwanee.com or 770/945-8996.

Suwanee Day celebrates 25

Suwanee’s annual “celebration of community” turns 25 this year, and you’re invited to help plan “the party.”  If you’re interested in helping plan the September 20 festival in the areas of entertainment, exhibitors, marketing, parade, sponsors, transportation, or volunteers, contact Amy Doherty at adoherty@suwanee.com or 770/945-8996. Day-of festival volunteers will be able to sign up later this spring online at www.suwaneeday.com.

U + SD2008 = $500?

Amanda Savage designed last year’s winning Suwanee Day festival logo.

Help Suwanee Day celebrate its 25th year by creating a 2008 festival logo as part of the annual Suwanee Day design competition. The winning design will be used on 2008 Suwanee Day t-shirts, posters, and other promotional materials, and the winning artist/designer will win $500.

Original artwork including paintings, drawings, and photographs will be accepted as will digitally created designs. Designs should be versatile and reproduce well on t-shirts and as posters. The submission deadline is June 6.

Last year, the Suwanee Day committee received 57 design entries from 44 individuals. Amanda Savage, a 2007 graduate of Oconee County High School, was last year's winner. Click here for 2008 Suwanee Day design competition guidelines and an application.

Suwanee Gateway getting an attitude adjustment

The new brand for the Suwanee Gateway area was launched at the January 24 State of the County presentation, hosted by the Gwinnett Chamber and Council for Quality Growth. The Gateway branding campaign, which includes a new logo, tagline, and host of marketing strategies, is a key component of the City’s efforts to revitalize the I-85 business district, which was the first such area to be developed in Suwanee more than 30 years ago.

“The Suwanee Gateway is a main entrance into our community,” notes Economic Development Division Director Denise Brinson. “Frankly, it’s not been making a very good first impression lately. As a City, we’re focusing our energies here, and we’re working to transform and brand the area as a vibrant, sustainable mixed-use center and a distinctive entryway into the City of Suwanee.”

To help it create and market a distinctive, consistent image for the Gateway area, Suwanee turned to redpepper, a Lawrenceville-based marketing firm.

“The City of Suwanee has a very powerful brand as a community of excellence,” notes redpepper partner Dave McMullen. “The disconnect with the Gateway area is that it doesn’t have that shiny reputation – yet. The logo, tagline, and materials that we developed with the City of Suwanee rely on the City’s record of excellence and on the exciting potential for the Gateway area.”

Learn more about Suwanee’s revitalization efforts in the Gateway.

Tax deferral program for seniors;
application deadline is March 1

For Suwanee homeowners 62 or older and living on a limited income of $20,000 or less annually, the City of Suwanee now offers a homestead tax deferral program.

“This program is designed specifically for older residents who may be on a fixed income,” notes Amie Sakmar, financial services director. “It’s a way of putting off tax payment until such time as the property is sold or transferred. It’s important to note that this deferral program applies only to City of Suwanee property taxes and does not impact any Gwinnett County taxes.”

City Council adopted the program last year.  For those who qualify for the program, the City defers the property taxes and a lien is placed on the property. The City’s deferral is considered a loan, with an interest rate applying to the amount to be paid back when the property is sold or transferred.

An application must be completed each year a deferral is sought. The application deadline is March 1. A brochure with additional information also is available.

Meet the mayor

City attorney Gregory Jay, right, administers the oath of office to Suwanee’s new mayor Dave Williams on Dec. 16.

One thing that Dave Williams knows for sure: It’s all about the relationships you develop. He follows that relationship-building philosophy in his business where he is the chief executive officer of SouthTrac, a sports marketing company. And he’ll be adhering to that philosophy as Suwanee’s new mayor. Indeed, one of his goals as mayor is to “raise the bar of civic engagement” by providing more opportunities for citizens to get involved and connect with their community.

Williams, 41, previously served on City Council from 1998-2001. He was elected mayor this past November, officially taking over from Nick Masino on January 1. Williams, along with re-elected Councilmembers Jimmy Burnette and Jeannine Rispin, were sworn in during a December 16 ceremony at Town Center Park.

The Williams family

Here are a few tidbits about Suwanee’s new mayor:

• His company, SouthTrac, provides branded promotional products for clients, typically large corporations serving as sponsors for major sporting events. He’s produced medals, corporate gifts, banners, apparel, and “jackets” for barricades; he’s even put a company logo on fishing lures.

• For the past six years, this Georgia Tech graduate served on the Atlanta Regional Commission. “I learned a lot at the regional level,” he says, “but I missed being able to have a greater impact. It’s very different being on a team of six, rather than one of 39 [ARC members].”

• Williams and his wife, Debbie, moved to Suwanee in 1996. They have two children: Ramsey, 10, and Max, who is 8.

• The mayor might just make a good Jeopardy! contestant because, he says, “I know a lot of information that’s totally useless.” Williams reads voraciously, including several business-related periodicals that cover a wide range of topics as well as several books at a time.

“I’m convinced that as great as Suwanee has become,” says Williams, “its best days are still ahead. It will require strong leadership…and strong relationships.”

Read more about Mayor Dave Williams in the upcoming February issue of CrossRoads, the City of Suwanee’s official newsletter.