at Town Center Park opening

August 2004
Shawn Mullins to perform ‘grandly’
at Town Center Park opening
Atlanta-based singer and songwriter Shawn Mullins will be the featured
performer at the City of Suwanee’s Town Center Park Grand Opening
Saturday, August 14. This event is free and open to the
public. Mullins, who is recognized for his heartfelt
lyrics and character-based songs, is best known for the
top ten hit “Lullaby.”
Before Mullins takes to Suwanee’s new 1,500
square foot amphitheater stage, three other groups will
perform. Musical entertainment will begin at about
5:30 p.m. when 10-year-old Lucy Gross performs the
first song at Town Center Park. Lucy’s father, Howard,
purchased that privilege at last fall’s Suwanee Soiree, a
“fun-raising” silent/live auction event for the Better
Parks Campaign.
Steve and Corey, an
Shawn Mullins
acoustic duo that was a hit at
last year’s Suwanee Day, will
then take the stage to be followed by Drivin’ N’ Cryin’.
This popular regional band was formed in Atlanta in
1986 and has carved for itself a unique niche with its
Southern-infused rock/blues sound. Drivin’ N’ Cryin’
has consistently drawn enthusiastic audiences throughout the South with its energetic live performances.
Drivin’ N’ Cryin’
Mullins, who was born and raised in Atlanta, began
songwriting at age 12. He later studied music at North
Georgia College. After serving in the U.S. Army Airborne Infantry, Mullins
turned to music full-time in 1991, writing songs, performing throughout the
country, and producing mostly independent
albums until his break-through hit in 1998.
Please turn to page 4
Town Center Park’s musical grand openfor
important tips that
ing is being sponsored by Wild Wing Café
will help make your
and Bowen Family Homes.
participation in the
As part of the event, a variety of foods and
beverages from area restaurants will be availTown Center Park
able for purchase. Included among the availGrand Opening safe,
able beverages will be wine and beer, provided
hassle-free, and fun!
by Budweiser and Corona. For this reason and
Some changes have
for security considerations, no coolers will be
been implemented.
allowed at the grand opening. No alcoholic
beverages may be brought to the park; all beer
and wine must be purchased and consumed within a designated area.
Off-site parking and free shuttle transportation will be available. See page 4
for more information.
PlayTown Suwanee a
hit with kids of all ages
“Have you seen the new playground?
It’s awe-some!”
That two thumbs up assessment of
PlayTown Suwanee was provided by a 10-yearold Suwanee resident who enjoys playing tag and
hide-and-go-seek on the 10,000 square foot
structure, which was built in just five days this
June by some 1,200 community volunteers. The
younger children, too, are clamoring to visit the
playground’s sand box, tire swing, tot lot, and
bouncy bridges.
The new playground is a big hit with
Suwanee area children—and parents—who now,
thanks to the 10,000 cumulative hours of volunteer work, have an “awesome” playground close
to home.
For more information about Suwanee’s
“community build” and new playground, see the
commemorative PlayTown Suwanee color section inside this newsletter.
Inside this issue:
2003-04 Annual Report . . . . . . . .insert
Another park to open . . . . . . . . . . .p. 2
An 'event-ful' calendar . . . . . . . . . .p. 3
City budget adopted . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 5
PlayTown Suwanee ‘thank yous’ . . .p. 7
August 2004
Page 2
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Open Space Update
Suwanee Creek Park to open this month
Those joggers, bikers, nature photographers, walkers, and rollerbladers who’ve been enjoying the extended Suwanee Creek
Greenway will have a new “base camp” beginning this month. The ribbon-cutting for Suwanee Creek Park, an 85-acre passive recreation area, is scheduled for August 7. The park also will serve as the primary trailhead for the Suwanee Creek Greenway.
Suwanee Creek Park, which has been left substantially in its natural condition, has 100 parking spaces. In addition to providing
access to the Suwanee Creek Greenway, the park is perfect for family gatherings, team parties, and picnics. It features two pavilions,
public restrooms, and open meadow areas, ideal for recreational activities like tossing a Frisbee or football. The pavilion areas have
picnic tables and grills.
Volunteers are working to prepare additional soft-surface trails at the park by the end of the summer.
Suwanee Creek Park will be open from sunup to sundown. The park is located on Buford Highway, near the City’s southern limit,
just south of Swiftwater Park Drive.
PlayTown Suwanee tiles, pickets
to be up by late fall
The nearly 325 fence pickets and 650 tiles purchased for PlayTown Suwanee are expected to be put
up by late this fall, says project manager Kristi
McCarley. Also, if they're not ready by publication time,
the park's restrooms will be completed very shortly.
Future plans for the park site, to be implemented
as funding becomes available, include the addition of
a pavilion and a creative, open play area that will be
located to the back of the playground, behind where
the large swing set is located.
PlayTown Suwanee, located at 425 Main Street, is
open from sunup to sundown each day.
Suwanee's natural park In addition to serving as the trailhead for the
greenway, Suwanee Creek Park currently offers two pavilions and open
meadow areas.
Family Day
at Town Center Park
A few hundred kids, parents, and those
running for elected office came to Town
Center Park July 17 to discover Suwanee
activities. Festivities began with an accordionist-led Wee Parade. Among the activities available were athletic demos, inflatable rides, face painting, and a chance to
get up close and personal with a Gwinnett
County fire truck. Musical and theatrical
entertainment also was provided.
August 2004
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The heat is still on in Suwanee this summer
Don’t miss these great events!
August and September are promising to be event-ful times in Suwanee. Highlights will be the Town Center Park Grand Opening
and Suwanee Day, but there’s a lot more going on as well. Mark your calendars now!
*Suwanee Creek Park Ribbon-Cutting
Suwanee Creek Greenway Grand Opening
Saturday, August 7 - 10 a.m.
Parking at Suwanee Creek Park
(Located on Buford Highway just south of Swiftwater Park Drive)
*State of the City Address
Wednesday, August 11 - 6 p.m.
Suwanee Business Alliance Meeting
Chattahoochee Run Neighborhood Clubhouse
*Town Center Park Grand Opening
Saturday, August 14 - 5:30-10:15 p.m.
Featured performers include Shawn Mullins and Drivin’ N’ Cryin’
Sponsored by Bowen Family Homes and Wild Wing Café
Wild Wing’s A Party in the Park
Thursday, August 19 - 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Town Center Park
Free concert performance by Touch of Elegance
Wild Wing’s A Party in the Park
Thursday, August 26 - 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Town Center Park
Free concert performance by Easy Pickens
Suwanee Business Alliance’s Music Main Street
Saturday, August 28 - 7-10 p.m.
Town Center Park
Free concert performance by Soul Purpose
Wild Wing’s A Party in the Park
Thursday, September 2 - 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Town Center Park
Free concert performance by Kevin Kinney
*Movies Under the Stars with Star 94 & Cingular
Secondhand Lions (rated PG)
Saturday, September 4 - 7 p.m.
Town Center Park
Wild Wing’s A Party in the Park
Thursday, September 9 - 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Town Center Park
Free concert performance Rory Lowe Band
BodyPlex’s Suwanee Day 5K Classic
Friday, September 17 - 7 p.m.
Town Center Park
Will include a children’s festival and entertainment
*Suwanee Day Festival
Saturday, September 18 - 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Town Center Park
Will include a free evening concert performance
*Suwanee Creek Park Grand Opening
Saturday, October 23 - Time to be determined
* indicates that the event is hosted or co-sponsored by the City of
Suwanee. Other listed events are privately organized.
More information about these events will be available at
www.suwaneee.com or in the September issue of CrossRoads.
Welcome to City Hall
Suwanee’s police and public works department
have each welcomed two new staff members recently
Michael Brace and Phil English join the City of Suwanee as equipment operators in the public works department. Brace,
a native New Yorker who now lives in Dacula, previously worked as a groundskeeper for the Shoreham-Wading River School
District. A Suwanee native, English worked for 26 years at OFS, formerly Lucent Technologies.
In the police department, William “Rob” McCoy recently completed training at the Northeast Georgia Police Academy.
A native of West Virginia, McCoy previously worked in retail. He and his wife have four children.
Karen Hardy joined the department as a dispatcher. A Georgia native who has served in the U.S. Army, Hardy has communications experience with Gwinnett County, City of Duluth, and Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Page 4
August 2004
www.suwanee.com
Suggestions for a safe and fun
Town Center Park
Grand Opening
What to bring and not to bring
❊ Coolers will not be allowed in the park. This
is necessary due to safety and security considerations.
❊ You are welcome to bring along food for a picnic dinner, or you may purchase food from a
variety of local restaurants who will be set up at
the event. Beverages, including wine and beer
as well as non-alcoholic beverages, will be
available for purchase.
❊ No alcoholic beverages may be brought into
the park. However, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Consumption of alcoholic
beverages will be limited to a designated “beer
garden” area.
❊ Bring along chairs or blankets. Chairs and
tables will not be allowed within the terraced
amphitheater seating area, but may be used in
other areas throughout Town Center Park.
Where to park
❊ Grand opening visitors are strongly encouraged
to park off site and take advantage of the free
shuttle transportation provided from 5-11 p.m.
Parking and free shuttle transportation sites are
tentatively planned for Shawnee North
office/warehouse businesses along Satellite
Boulevard and at the Suwanee Creek Business
Center across from Wal-Mart. Look for the
yellow and black event parking signs and check
www.suwanee.com for updated information.
❊ Parking around Town Center Park is limited
and, if the crowd is large as expected, will be
very difficult to come by. City of Suwanee
facilities and parking areas will be closed to the
general public.
❊ A tow truck will be on call for any vehicles that
are illegally parked.
Second building slated
for mixed-use Town Center
Suwanee has taken another step forward in its efforts to create a community gathering place and vibrant commercial center adjacent to the new
10-acre Town Center Park at the intersection of Lawrenceville-Suwanee
Road and Buford Highway.
The City has entered into a contract with Madison Retail LLC for
$1.18 million for the purchase of a 2.6 acre tract fronting Town Center Park
on which a three-story mixed-use building is to be constructed. The building will contain approximately 31,200 square feet of retail, restaurant, and
office space on the ground floor as well as about 18 two-story townhouse
units and 12 residential flats above.
This is the second public-private partnership into which Suwanee has
entered at the Town Center site. This spring the City entered into an agreement with Main Street Corners LLC, which plans to build a 42,000-squarefoot mixed-use building on a 4 acre parcel located at the intersection of
Buford Highway and Town Center Avenue (the new park road).
Madison Retail LLC is a new company created to develop mixed-use
projects similar to the Smyrna Market Village. The principals include John
Williams, founder of Post Properties, Steve Whisenant, and G.K. Johnson,
who has been in the real estate industry for 23 years.
“Town Center will be a true mixed-use development in the heart of the
City,” says Johnson. “We’re taking old town charm and redoing it. The end
result is a downtown of which residents will be very proud. It will be a place
where they can gather, eat, shop, and watch their kids run around the park.”
Design of the building will be reminiscent of railroad towns across the
South in the early 1900s. Parking will be located behind the building.
Madison Retail expects that tenants will be high-end retailers.
“Considering the demographics [of the Suwanee area],” Johnson notes,
“there’s not yet a product of the caliber they deserve.”
Johnson anticipates that work will begin on the mixed-use development
this fall with businesses opening late next summer.
Madison Retail’s tract is located adjacent to the Main Street Corners
property. As part of the agreement with the City, Madison Retail has a 12month option on a second 1.7 acre tract at the Town Center site.
The City of Suwanee originally purchased the 13 acres adjacent to Town
Center Park in November 2002 using low-cost bond funds. (These bonds
were separate from Suwanee’s open space bond funds, which voters approved
in November 2001 for the purchase of undeveloped properties for open
spaces and parks). Since then, Suwanee has constructed Town Center Park,
created a master plan for the property, and worked with private entities to
create a vibrant mixed-use commercial center at this location.
August 2004
Page 5
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City adopts $7.5 million budget
Suwanee City Council approved at its June 15 meeting a $7.5 million budget for fiscal year 2004-05 that represents a modest 3.6 percent (or $272,800)
increase over last year’s budget. At its July 20 meeting, Council adopted a millage rate of 5.81, a decrease of .08 mills.
This is the second consecutive year that Suwanee has reduced its millage
rate, providing for a small amount of property tax relief. The City of Suwanee’s
$7,585,725 2004-05 operating budget became effective July 1.
Significant expenditures for the upcoming year include five new staff positions and three major studies that will deal with how the City will grow and
improve its services.
Three new staff positions, which were funded as of July 1, include an additional park patrol police officer, human resources analyst, and part-time public
works administrative position. The other two positions, an additional public
works parks maintenance worker and a police officer who will be assigned to the
Gwinnett Drug Task Force, will be funded in early 2005.
The new studies include a master plan for the 61-acre Hewell property, considered to be the jewel of the City’s open space program, and an economic development analysis to create strategies that will promote the economic prosperity
of the City’s I-85 business district.
Also, the City of Suwanee has allocated an additional $20,000 to its road
surfacing and repairs fund, increasing that total to $180,000. Nearly $94,000
has been budgeted to address storm drainage problems. And $123,300 is earmarked for Town Center Park maintenance and a signage program for newly
developed parks.
Suwanee will implement this year a consultant-recommended employee
compensation and benefits
program designed to control
escalating employee benefits
costs, maintain positive
employee morale, foster
retention of existing staff,
and facilitate recruitment of
exceptional
employees.
Implementation of these recommendations in 2004-05 is
estimated to cost $44,500.
“This budget,” notes
City
Manager
Hardin
Watkins,
“will
allow
Suwanee to maintain our
existing high service levels,
retain valuable staff members, and begin some high
profile initiatives that will
produce positive results for
our citizens, property owners, business operators, and
visitors. Progress toward our How best to polish this 'jewel'? A master plan for the
quest to be a regional leader 61-acre Hewell property is funded through the City's
2004-05 budget.
steadily continues.”
Delicious and nutritious
The Suwanee-Duluth Farmers Market will be
at Town Centeer Park from 8 a.m.-noon
Saturday, August 21 and 28. This year’s final
market will be at the annual Suwanee Day
family festival on Saturday, September 18.
SUWANEE DAY
is Saturday, September 18,
at Town Center Park!
Come join the annual
celebration of community.
August 2004
Page 6
www.suwanee.com
Two City representatives selected
for leadership programs
Denise Brinson
City Councilmember Jeannine Rispin has been selected to participate in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership
Institute. The intensive, one-week program is designed to better prepare
a diverse group of community, government, and business leaders to work
collectively on regional issues.
The Leadership Institute, which enrolls about 50 participants, will
be held at St. Simons Island September 19-24. Rispin will be there as a
representative of the City of Suwanee and her employer, the Georgia
Transmission Corporation.
“I’ve been told by several alums that it is a very intense week, but well worth the time Jeannine Rispin
and effort,” Rispin says. “I hope to gain insight and build relationships that will support
Suwanee’s role as a regional leader.”
Also, Economic and Community Development Manager Denise Brinson will be a member of the
Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2004-05. A nine-month program that begins this month and runs through May
2005, Leadership Gwinnett provides existing and emerging leaders with a unique opportunity to experience many
of the challenges facing Gwinnett County.
City Manager Hardin Watkins is a Leadership Gwinnett graduate as are Councilmembers Jimmy Burnette,
Carol Hassell, and Jeannine Rispin as well as City Attorney Gregory Jay.
Suwanee company makes award-winning pies
Congratulations to Suwanee’s Schwan’s Bakery, which produces Mrs. Smith’s pies. Several of Mrs. Smith’s pies were award winners at the National Pie Championships in Celebration, Florida, this spring. Among those receiving recognition, according to the
Gwinnett Daily Post, were apple walnut raisin, coconut cream, deep dish blueberry crumb, deep dish cherry crumb, Dutch apple,
lemon burst meringue, moose tracks, and no sugar added apple.
Library books toward fall opening
Exterior work on the Gwinnett County Library branch on Main Street was wrapping
up last month as the emphasis shifted to completing interior and site work, including the
new access road, in anticipation of the library’s opening in just a few months.
The 20,477 square foot building was designed to be a focal point for historic Old
Town, according to architect Michael Clifford. The library reflects turn-of-the century
craftsmanship and detail both inside and out.
The building exterior’s brick pattern created with buff-colored bricks on the burgundy background is reflective
of a time when masons were masters at their craft and detailing in the brick
work made buildings appear grand, says Clifford, who is an associate with
Lindsay Pope Brayfield & Associates.
That turn-of-the-century detailing is carried through on the inside of
the library as well, where a streetscape has been created. “There are exposed
steel columns that look like street lights,” Clifford says. “We carried in from
the outside a lot of brick and stone. The ceilings are very high and the
clerestory windows let in a lot of light. Also, there’s a clock tower in the children’s area.”
Suwanee’s library branch, with a collection of more than 60,000 books,
is expected to open this fall. At the helm will be branch manager Sue Kelley.
A native of Mississippi who has lived in Georgia for 25 years, Kelley has
worked for the Gwinnett County Public Library for 11 years, most recently
as manager of the Buford-Sugar Hill branch.
August 2004
Page 7
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THANK YOU, PlayTown Suwanee volunteers, supporters!
PlayTown Suwanee Supporters
These businesses and individuals helped make
PlayTown Suwanee possible. Thank you!
The community-minded individuals listed
below served countless hours on the
Playground Steering Committee or working as
a construction site captain.
Steering Committee
Steve Olvey, Co-General Coordinator
Kristi McCarley, Co-General Coordinator,
Suwanee's special projects manager
Shelly Cordsen
Jauxniece D’Angola
Amy Doherty
Melissa Fernandez
Karen Kuchvalek
Angie O'Farrell
Benita Marshall
Carrie Roy
Dawn Sechrest
Jennifer Spellacy
Laura Spencer
Heather Thomas
Beth Wellington
Construction Captains
David Bonesteel
Shelly Cordsen
Amy Doherty
Fritz Kuehnel
Jim Fielder
Charlie Fowler
Neil Mason
Angie O’Farrell
Ryan Rodd
Stephanie Rodd
Laura Spencer
Mike Staiger
Brad Tenney
Walt Walters
A L Grading Contractors
Allstate Office of Toby Blackwell
Alpharetta’s Golden H Club
Apple Printing Company
Atlanta Waste Industries
Bill Heard Chevrolet
Bonfired
Hardy & Wally DeLay
Dentistry for Children
Direct South, Inc.
Evergreen Presbyterian Church
Flanigan Funeral Home
Garland Brothers
Georgia Masonry Supply
Home Depot
Jackson EMC
Jordan Coach
Julie Edwards, Graphic Artist
Lampe-Farley Communications
Mama’s Board-n-Bike
North Gwinnett High School Art Club
Northside Hospital
Panache
PODS
Postal Plus
Pre-Press To Printing
Primrose Schools of Suwanee
Quantum National Bank
Racing Radios
RIDGID Tools
Schwan’s Bakery
Shadowbrook Baptist Church
Stewart Stainless
Suwanee Sports Academy
Swift Atlanta
Traditions in Tile
United Rental
Wal-Mart, Suwanee
Playground Food Sponsors
Please consider "thanking" with your patronage the following restaurants and businesses
who helped feed and hydrate PlayTown
Suwanee volunteers.
Antigua Tex Mex
Applebee’s
Atlanta Bread Company
Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Beef O’Brady’s
Blimpie
BP
Burger King
Centsable Food Service
Chevron
CiCi’s Pizza
Citgo
Cracker Barrel
CrossRoads
Dillard’s Barbeque
Domino’s Pizza
Firehouse Grill
FritoLay
Ippolitos
J Christopher’s
Jeffrey’s
Kroger
McDonald’s
Mike’s Coffee Shop
Papa John’s Pizza
Publix
Quick Trip
Schwan’s Bakery
Sonic
Tanner’s Restaurant
TCBY Cookie Express
Waffle House
Wendy’s
Wild Wing Café
Zaxby’s
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
CITY OF SUWANEE
PAID
ATLANTA, GA
PERMIT NO. 349
373 U.S. HWY. 23
SUWANEE, GA 30024
CrossRoads: Your Official City of Suwanee Newsletter
Park grand opening
to feature Shawn Mullins
Atlanta-based singer and songwriter Shawn Mullins will
perform at Suwanee’s Town Center Park Grand Opening
August 14. This free event will feature five hours of music and
festivities, including performances by Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ as well
as Mullins. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m.
Bring your blankets, chairs, friends, and dancing shoes,
but no alcohol, please, and no coolers. More details inside this
issue of CrossRoads.
Calendar
August
3 Planning & Zoning Commission
6:30 p.m.
5 City Council Workshop
5:30 p.m.
11 Suwanee Business Alliance:
State of the City Address
6 p.m.
14 Town Center Park Grand Opening
5:30-10:15 p.m.
17 City Council Meeting*
7 p.m.
19 Downtown Development Authority
5:30 p.m.
19 Wild Wing’s A Party in the Park:
Touch of Elegance
5:30-9:30 p.m.
21 Suwanee-Duluth Farmers Market
8 a.m.-noon
24 Zoning Board of Appeals
6:30 p.m.
26 Wild Wing’s A Party in the Park: Easy Pickens 5:30-9:30 p.m.
28 Suwanee-Duluth Farmers Market
8 a.m.-noon
28 SBA’s Music Main Street (at TCP): Soul Purpose 7-10 p.m.
September
City of Suwanee, Georgia
MAYOR:
NICK MASINO .............. 770/945-4607 ext. 555
COUNCIL:
JACE BROOKS ............................. 770/831-0499
JIMMY BURNETTE .................... 770/945-3492
CAROL HASSELL ........................ 770/945-3111
ALAN LANDERS .......................... 770/271-4382
JEANNINE RISPIN ...................... 770/945-6903
CITY MANAGER: HARDIN WATKINS .................... 770/945-8996
POLICE CHIEF:
MIKE JONES ................................ 770/945-8995
NEWSLETTER EDITOR:
LYNNE BOHLMAN DEWILDE ..................................... 770/945-8996
2
4
6
7
8
9
9
16
17
18
21
27
Wild Wing’s A Party in the Park: Kevin Kinney
Movies Under the Stars: Secondhand Lions
Labor Day: City Hall closed
Planning & Zoning Commission
Suwanee Business Alliance
City Council Workshop
Wild Wing’s A Party in the Park:
Rory Lowe Band
Downtown Development Authority
Suwanee Day 5K Classic
Suwanee Day Festival
City Council Meeting*
Zoning Board of Appeals
*Public hearing begins at 6:30 p.m.
5:30-9:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
5:30-9:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
10 a.m.-10 p.m.
7 p.m.
6:30 p.m.