NEWS BRIEFS: City of Norcross gets $200,000 planning grant from ARC

The City of Norcross is one of 10 metro Atlanta cities to receive a Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) planning grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). The $200,000 grant will be used to complete an update to the city’s initiative. 

The ARC’s LCI grant program is designed to encourage local cities to reduce their reliance on motor vehicles and envision their communities as vibrant, walkable places with a variety of mobility options, healthier citizens and easier access to jobs and services. 

With the LCI grant, the city hopes to expand the boundaries of the Town Center LCI to include both sides of Buford Highway and examine the development of a pedestrian-safe crossing. The update will also include plans to introduce electric vehicle charging stations into the downtown core, along with enhancing and upgrading the pedestrian experience across the railroad tracks.

The $200,000 award comprises $160,000 in federal transportation dollars with a $40,000 match by the city in the upcoming year. Upon completing the LCI study, Norcross will be eligible to apply for federal transportation funding to help implement the proposed projects.  

County plans expansion of two facilities

Two recent developments came out of the Gwinnett commissioner’s meeting.  They include: 

1. OneStop Centerville will soon expand to a new 42,000 square-foot, two-story facility. The expansion will include exam rooms, counseling, classrooms, pediatric dental care and a playground. View Point Health, Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. The Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Department will have space in the facility. Hogan Construction Group was awarded the $14 million contract, which is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
2. The county will apply for a $8 million grant to expand Gwinnett Place Transit Center through the Federal Transit Administration. The grant would expand the Center into a hub to provide multiple modes of service and connections along with customer service amenities including restrooms and gathering spaces. The project requires a local match of $2 million to be funded by the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority’s rideshare revenue. The total estimated cost of the entire project is $20 million.

NOTABLE

Chamber recognizes local public safety officials for valor

The Gwinnett Chamber VALOR Awards honor local public safety officials who were recognized for their exceptional acts of bravery and service to the local community last week.

The event celebrated award winners in nine categories with more than a dozen officers being recognized for their dedication to protect and serve the greater Gwinnett region. The Medal of Valor recognizes those individuals who exhibited bravery and heroism in situations of extreme danger, heightened emergency, and/or risk of injury and death.

• The Gold Medal of Valor was presented to Officer Shawn Humphreys of the Lawrenceville Police Department.
• The Silver Medal of Valor was awarded to five Gwinnett County Police Department officers: Corporal Daniel Werner, Master Police Officer William Bohn, Master Police Officer David Delshad, Senior Police Officer David Bautista-Martinez, and Senior Police Officer Alexander Elkins.
• The Bronze Medal of Valor was given to Senior Police Officer Cameron Turner with the Gwinnett County Police Department.

The Life-Saving Award, presented to a public safety professional who acted in a life-threatening situation where an individual’s life was in jeopardy, was given to Officer Aaron Devries of the Snellville Police Department.

Corporal Tracey M. Reed, Gwinnett County Police Department, was awarded the Medal of Merit for her outstanding contributions to the community both on and off the job.

The Public Safety Awards honored those individuals who have performed their jobs with exceptional skill, expertise, innovation, and results. This year, a person, a unit, and a communications officer received this honor.

• The Public Safety Person of the Year went to Senior Police Officer James Ross with the Gwinnett County Police Department.
• The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit received the Public Safety Unit of the Year award.
• Communications Officer Elizabeth Pizarro with the Gwinnett County Police Department received the Public Safety Communications Officer of the Year award.

Chief Bruce Hedley with the Lilburn Police Department received this year’s Leadership Award for his excellence in community-oriented engagement while fostering a departmental environment that values collaboration and cooperation at the command staff level.

Gwinnett Tech’s White wins Perkins award 

White

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has named Gwinnett Technical College physics instructor Jeff White the winner of the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. White taught in the Gwinnett County Public Schools system for 34 years before coming to Gwinnett Technical College as a full-time physics instructor. White holds a Master of Science in Physics from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science in Science Education from the University of Georgia. He also earned his Specialist Degree from the University of Georgia in School Leadership and his Gifted Endorsement. White was born and raised in Atlanta and lives in Flowery Branch. He and his wife enjoy camping, traveling, and spending time with their four children and six grandchildren.

• Have a comment?  Send to: elliott@brack.net