By Chuck Warbington, city manager | The year 2016 has been an exciting year for Lawrenceville. From concerts and Clydesdales to new business and future planning, 2016 has set the stage for unleashing the “potential” that has described Gwinnett’s county seat for the last decade.
Warbington
A trauma 2 hospital, being the county seat, a four-year college, professional theatre and county airport all drive Lawrenceville’s economy and boast award-winning accolades while leading the city’s job and business infrastructure. Together with a vibrant and thriving Downtown Square, Lawrenceville’s stage is set and the start of the show, imminent.
In 2016 alone, this community has begun execution of its economic development strategic plan, witnessed more than 30 major events in the downtown area, the opening of hundreds of new businesses, an active film industry and a host of land-planning projects that promise much in the way of economic impact for 2017. With a $179-million budget, second in size only to Atlanta and oldest city in the Metro region, Lawrenceville is working diligently to invest funds in strategic projects that will enable growth now and in the future. Our goals are simple – retain workforce, recruit business, create housing opportunities, develop land to highest and best use, fill the downtown with viable businesses and create a live-work-play destination in the heart of our community.
So, as we execute these goals, what does 2017 look like for Lawrenceville? Here’s a preview to some of the projects that will be breaking ground for this coming year:
Two-Way Street Conversion – The city will begin construction to convert Perry and Clayton Streets to two-way for an estimated cost of $12 million. Project will also include much needed traffic congestion relief on Scenic and Jackson Streets.- College Corridor – The city will also begin construction of the 2.2 mile linear park between Georgia Gwinnett College and the historic Downtown District for an estimated cost of $30 million.
- Gas Infrastructure Improvements – The city is investing more than $22 million in upgrading its sizable gas infrastructure to better serve the more than 50,000 existing customers while building for future expansion.
- Public Works Facilities – In preparation for new development in the heart of the downtown, the city has also worked to acquire property, design plans and begin construction of a new public works site along Pike Street. This project is budgeted to be just under $20 million.
- Park Place Improvements – The city will also invest just under $4 million in roadway, sidewalk and drainage improvements along Park Place.
- Marketing and Communications – Lawrenceville will launch a newly designed website in March of 2017 as well as creating new marketing materials that will serve to tell the dynamic story of Gwinnett’s county seat. Together with over 30 events planned for downtown in 2017, the city will invest more than a quarter of a million dollars in these projects, realizing the “sense of place” that over 30,000 participants enjoyed this year at the Christmas Parade alone.
Combine all this public investment with some private opportunities on the horizon and 2017 will mark a historic year for the nearly 200 year-old – yet still new and vibrant – town.
You’ve seen the previews in 2016. Now, silence your phones, grab your popcorn and get ready – the feature presentation’s about to begin!
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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