Peachtree Corners is working with Juganu, a provider of smart lighting, to create a fully digitized and connected lighting environment within the city. Juganu’s smart city lighting solutions will be deployed within the Curiosity Lab ecosystem and at the City of Peachtree Corners Town Center. This marks Juganu’s first full smart city lighting deployment in the United States.
Smart lighting in Peachtree Corners
Juganu’s lighting solution eliminates the need for multiple devices on one light pole, with multiple systems unified in a single fixture. Their smart city fixture includes energy-efficient and high-quality LED lighting, environmental sensors to monitor air quality, IoT framework for additional smart city applications and leverages a security camera that features artificial intelligence and edge computing for enhanced capabilities. In addition, each light fixture includes a wireless access point to provide free public Wi-Fi.
Peachtree Corners City Manager Brian Johnson says: “Juganu’s smart lighting solution continues to add to our city’s goals of improving safety and quality of life for our residents while providing the efficiency of multiple smart city solutions in one sleek unit. This adds another element of security and safety to our Town Center with bright lighting and security cameras that can be accessed if an incident occurs. We are also excited to now be able to offer free public Wi-Fi across our Town Center to allow for greater connectivity for our residents. Juganu’s solutions bring our city one step closer to being fully connected, and we are thrilled to be the company’s first full deployment in the U.S.”
There are currently 16 of Juganu’s lighting units deployed across the Tot Lot Playground in Peachtree Corners’ Town Center, four units deployed across the Dog Park and six units deployed at the Curiosity Lab Innovation Center. As the project expands, Juganu’s lighting solutions will be deployed across the Town Center parking lots, storefronts, parking deck and the parking lot at Curiosity Lab’s Innovation Center. The full deployment will include a total of 80 units deployed across the city.
Norcross plans eminent domain at old library building
Confusion has developed this week about the former Norcross Woman’s Club building, which was once used as Gwinnett’s first library.
A news story a few weeks back reported that the Woman’s Club had donated the building to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. It further stated that it would be an adapted re-use project, and that a buyer wanted to convert it into a residence.
Then this week a “Condemnation” sign was posted at the building. GwinnettForum learned that this is a legal process so that the city can acquire the site under the eminent domain structure. The city has not indicated what its use of the building will be.
Mayor Craig Newton told GwinnettForum: “You can rest easy knowing that the city has absolutely no intention whatsoever in tearing down this very important historic library building. Please be patient with us as there is a legal process that must be followed in order us to acquire this library and preserve its historic character.”
The city is expected to hear the condemnation at its September 3 meeting.
The Carnegie-style Greek revival structure was built in 1921 by the Woman’s Club, which was involved in the national library movement. In 1966, the library was relocated, and the building became home to the Woman’s Club, founded in 1905.
Suwanee to open DeLay Natural Park Saturday
Ribbon cutting for the Town Center on Main and DeLay Natural Park in Suwanee is Saturday, August 24. Following the official ribbon cutting at 6:30 p.m. will be movie night and strolling entertainment throughout the evening.
The ribbon cutting will be at the Circle – the elevated pavilion area nearest to the intersection of Main and High Line streets. The Greatest Showman is the title of the movie to be shown on the upper lawn at 7:30 p.m.
All are invited; there is no need to RSVP or reserve a space. This is a family- and pet-friendly event, so bring the crew!
Bring a chair and/or blanket to enjoy the festivities. There will be giveaways (while supplies last) plus food and beverages will be available for purchase from several food trucks on site. You may also bring a cooler with your own picnic. However, as with all Suwanee parks, no bottles or glass containers are permitted.
Park Place community gets new master plan
A new master plan for the Park Place community has been approved by Gwinnett County. This is a key gateway to Gwinnett with significant potential for growth. The County’s recent support for the redevelopment of the Stone Mountain Tennis Center site has paved the way for a comprehensive master plan that will guide the area’s future.
The new master plan will assess existing conditions and involve community feedback to develop specific land use, transportation, and open space recommendations. Priorities include transit-oriented development, housing diversity and strategic redevelopment. The master plan will be funded by proceeds from the sale of the tennis center site, ensuring that the community benefits from this reinvestment. Commissioners awarded the contract to Sizemore Group, LLC of Atlanta for $217,000 to lead the development of the master plan.
The board also approved the purchase of three parcels totaling eight acres at $500,000 an acre along East Park Place Boulevard near Stone Mountain. This property, owned by Jubilee Christian Church International, Inc., is located within the Park Place Tax Allocation District and the Evermore Community Improvement District. The acquisition of the property along East Park Place Boulevard will support the future implementation of the Park Place Master Plan.
Time open to apply for absentee ballots
Are you registered to vote in the upcoming General Election, but aren’t able to vote in-person on Election Day in November? As of August 19, any registered voter can request an absentee by mail ballot for the November 5 General Election through Friday, October 25. For more information about absentee ballot applications, visit GwinnettElections.com.
- To check your registration status, download a registration application, view sample ballots, and locate your polling place, visit MVP.SOS.GA.gov.
County moves on variety of initiatives
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners acted on several initiatives during their August 6 meeting. A recap of what they approved follows.
Interchange coming: Commissioners approved two items related to construction of an interchange at I-985 and Thompson Mill Road. New ramps will provide relief for motorists in the area, since the closest interchange to the south, at Georgia Highway 20, accommodates over 90,000 vehicles per day. This project provides a $2 million contribution from the Atlanta Regional Commission. A required local match of $500,000 comes from Gwinnett SPLOST. Thomas and Hutton Engineering Co. was awarded a $4.25 million engineering design services and construction document development contract, funded 53 percent by SPLOST and 47 percent by GDOT.
Repaving: More than 13 centerline miles of major county roadway will be resurfaced under a $10.5 million contract awarded to three companies. Contractors Allied Paving Contractors, Inc., The Scruggs Company and Sunbelt Asphalt Surfaces, Inc., will resurface the roadways and repair pavement with patching, adjust water valves and manhole covers, and install pavement markings to delineate travel lanes.
Funding comes from a $9.5 million GDOT Local Maintenance Improvement Grant with the remainder covered by SPLOST. Roads to be resurfaced are Camp Branch Road, South Lee Street, Ozora Church Road, Everson Road, Jessica Daron Court, Pounds Drive, Beaver Road, Club Drive, North Brown Road and Old Peachtree Road.
Loop Trail: one of the signature trails in the Gwinnett Trails Master Plan, is getting a boost with a new section of multi-use path from the intersection of Sugarloaf Parkway and Satellite Boulevard to just north of the intersection of Suwanee Creek Road and St. Ives Court. A $1.3 million contract for engineering design services and construction document development was awarded to KCI Technologies, Inc. The contract is funded 80 percent by GDOT and 20 percent by SPLOST.
Fire safety: Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services will purchase a new mobile fire safety trailer from North America Fire Equipment Co., Inc., for $238,639. This simulated version of a furnished home can mimic scenarios in a kitchen or bedroom that represent the most common fire-related threats. The realistic setting allows participants to practice home escape techniques, spotting burn hazards, and fire and life safety skills. This will be taken to community events and school functions where children can learn what to do in a fire emergency. To date, fire educators have taught safety programming to over 6,000 children.
Senior support: A new contract with two service providers will ensure continued assistance with essential daily household tasks such as cleaning, meal preparation and running errands for seniors. Southern Home Care Services, Inc. , dba All Ways Caring Homecare, was selected as primary and At Home Atlanta, LLC, as secondary under the $201,600 contract funded by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Participants receive one to two hours of assistance weekly based on their care plans.
Adults aged 60 or older and caregivers of older adults can call 678-377-4150 for more information about services available to seniors in Gwinnett County or to connect with a care manager.
GBC wins top workplace honor for second year
For the second consecutive year, Georgia Banking Company (GBC) has been awarded the Top Workplaces 2024 from the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This recognition is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a confidential third-party survey administered by Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The survey measures 15 key culture drivers critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution, and connection.
Craig Addison, GBC’s chief human resources officer, says: “I’m particularly proud of these results because while our company has tripled in size, we have been able to maintain our culture of service, expertise, and relationships. Our employees are the heart of GBC, and their dedication and passion drive our success.”
Gwinnett offers “Clear the Shelters” of pets on Saturday
As part of this annual campaign to place shelter pets in loving homes, Gwinnett Animal Welfare is offering free pet adoptions and will host a Clear the Shelters celebration on Saturday, August 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center.
During the event, attendees can enjoy hands-on activities, crafts, music, local vendors, face painting and more.
All adoptable animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, and most pets can go home the same day as adoption. This is Gwinnett’s seventh year participating in the event.
For those interested in adoption, visit GwinnettAnimalWelfare.com to find available pets. The Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center is located at 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. Parking is only available at the Department of Water Resources office, located at 684 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. A shuttle will be provided to take guests to the event site.
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