Here’s what the new entrance to Gateway85 will look like at the OSF site | Photo provided.
By Sharon Goldmacher
NORCROSS, Ga. | As one of the state’s largest Community Improvement Districts, Gateway85 CID announced Thursday that it will relocate its headquarters to a portion of the Optical Fiber Solutions (OFS) facility along the I-85 Corridor that is owned by the Gwinnett Redevelopment Authority. The move will allow the CID to concentrate its efforts on redeveloping this portion of the site in partnership with the County and other entities.
Morseberger
At the end of 2021, Gateway85 issued the results of an economic impact study that showed the CID had a massive annual economic impact of $16.6 billion on the county and the state of Georgia in 2020. In addition, the report outlined the CID’s future economic development strategy, including plans to work with the county and other partners to redevelop the 104 acres of the OFS site that the County purchased in 2018 along I-85 and Jimmy Carter Boulevard.
Gateway85 CID Executive Director Emory Morsberger says: “I wanted to put our money where our mouth is. If we are truly going to move this redevelopment project forward, the CID board of directors and I wanted to show our commitment by moving our office headquarters to the OFS site.”
Currently, Gateway85 CID has within its borders 3,000 businesses with 47,417 jobs that produce $5.6 billion in payroll and earnings annually, representing 16 percent of all jobs in Gwinnett County. The area of influence that extends just beyond Gateway85’s boundaries, has 63,385 jobs and 4,903 businesses. Redevelopment of the OFS site would mean an even greater impact on payroll and annual earnings.
The goal of redevelopment for the site is to create a transit-oriented mixed-use development where housing, retail, office and green space would be accessible to the community and provide a variety of transit and mobility options. A redevelopment of the County-owned acres would also likely create over 6,000 additional jobs, over $500 million in new property value and millions in property tax, sales taxes and public revenue.
Morsberger adds: “Gateway85 CID has never been busier than we have been over the past two years with infrastructure updates, new studies to improve mobility and access, beautification and more. We believe we are well positioned to work with the County and other partners at the state and federal level to move the OFS redevelopment forward.”
Gateway85 CID plans to hold a ribbon-cutting for its new office in mid-March. Throughout 2022, the CID’s continued focus will be to promote redevelopment, improve transportation options, improve the quality of jobs, and continue improvements to the physical environment.
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