This article is intended to peak your curiosity and get comments about more specific ideas from you as citizens, residents and visitors to Suwanee for the future use of the property bordered by Main St, Scales Rd and Jackson St including the historic Pierce’s Corner building.  Even with our recent economic struggles, renovation and revitalization projects have been taking place all over Gwinnett county as residents look to preserve the past with tasteful modern businesses for entertainment, relaxation, shopping and services. Give your comments and let your friends and neighbors know what businesses you would frequent at Pierce’s Corner in Old Town Suwanee. If you haven’t seen the Old Town area in a while, then cruise on down Main Street and check it out.

The Old Town Main Street area is one of the key components in the recently completed Downtown Master Plan and which included, as always in Suwanee, a great deal of input from the residents of our community. The previous Old Town Master plan in 2002 included resident input and suggestions for the future of the Old Town Main Street. The citizen inputs for the Old Town district plan generally called for a mixture of retail, residential and commercial offices in a pedestrian-friendly environment while maintaining the historic environment. Many of these ideas have already been implemented with the restoration and renovation of several Main Street properties for businesses which include Revival Hair Salon, Main Street Photography, Allstate Insurance and other office and retail businesses.

The article primarily draws attention to the tremendous growth and changes that have taken place over the past several years in Suwanee, and how the growth has been well planned around the the attraction and amenities which brought people to Suwanee in the first place.  Buyers are finding great deals in the homes for sale in Suwanee and the surrounding areas, because the city’s other attractions such as great schools, parks, greenway trails and a thriving civic community spirit continue to grow in value.

Suwanee Feature in the Sunday AJC Homes Section – 12-14-2008

Seen any great new construction or renovation projects in Suwanee, Georgia.  If you have a favorite project that simply makes you say, Wow!, then send in your nomination for the second annual “Swan-ee” Award.  The program was created by the city as a means of recognizing and promoting projects that excel in developing aesthetically pleasing and interesting sites throughout our great city.

Awards will be presented in December to individuals, businesses, and organizations who have created architectural “Swans,” which stand out and inspire pride within Suwanee.  Award-winning projects will include, but are not limited to, new construction, renovated buildings, landscaping, sustainable/long-term developments, “clean-up” projects, and public art. Projects must be within the City of Suwanee limits and preferably completed within the last year. Because the awards program is relatively new, older projects may be eligible as well.

The deadline for submitting nomination forms is October 17. For more information, contact Toni Shrewsbury at tshrewsbury@suwanee.com or 770/945-8996.

Specific details, rules and contact information originally posted on the City of Suwanee site.

The award is based on the judgement of an impartial panel evaluating the city’s ability to meet the highest standards for clear communication of the city’s financial status and full disclosure within the 2007 fiscal year.  GFOA is a nonprofit association serving approximately 16,000 government finance professionals.

This adds to the city’s ever increasing awards, honors and recognition for the outstanding work being done manage, promote and grow the community in a responsible and productive way, including the recognition by Money Magazine as One of the Top 10 Cities to Live in 2007.  Just another reason consider Suwanee, Georgia for your next home or business expansion..Play hard, Live well, Smile more.

Originally posted on my Trulia Blog

As construction continues on the new Suwanee City Hall building, the view over the park changes daily. This morning the sunrise followed the rising hook of the huge crane as it lifted the last huge steel arch being placed on the front of the building.

The building was designed specifically to point back to Suwanee’s days as a railroad stop. The huge arching roof and clock tower are reminiscent of grand historic railway stations. Sunrise at these railway stations always preceded a rush of activity, and the rising arches of the new Suwanee City Hall precedes the new growth and opportunity for the future of Suwanee’s residents and businesses.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

The new City Hall is another sign of Suwanee’s continuing progress and growth, which includes numerous other commercial development and construction projects in several areas throughout the city limits. The projects include the large Opus mixed-use development, Suwanee Gateway, near the I-85 and Hwy 317 intersection as well as multiple projects along Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Though current economic news and forecasts seem to focus on decreasing markets, there are many signs of growth and opportunity as businesses prepare to move into these new developments and as other projects are started. The residential real estate market will ultimately follow the expanding commercial opportunities and growth.

Buford has already built their mixed-use development at the intersection of Buford Hwy and Hamilton Mill Rd. Their concept of providing shops, restaurants and residential condos in a walkable development is very similar to Suwanee’s concept. However without the park, amphitheater and fountain in the recent economic environment, the Buford Village development is not filling as quickly as anticipated, but will be successful in the long run. The concept is definitely being accepted and even sought out by many commercial and residential buyers as the real estate market continues to improve throughout the Atlanta markets.

Both Norcross and Duluth have their own versions of the mixed-use “live, work, play” developments either under construction or consideration as means of revitalizing certain sections of those communities. Alpharetta’s Prospect Park is another example of the expansion of the mixed-use development concept. As described in Beth Warren’s AJC article on 7/30/08, Loganville’s city council will soon be reviewing and voting on a mixed-use development on 28 acres surrounding an existing lake on US 78, which is proposed to include an amphitheater for concerts and community events very similar to Suwanee Town Center Park and Atlantic Station in downtown Atlanta.

Suwanee Gateway (Opus South development) at I-85 and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd is under construction and will become another great addition to the “Play Hard, Live Well, Smile More” neighborhoods of Suwanee. As residents of Suwanee, we already know about the lifestyle that the reader’s of Money magazine learned from the 2007 “Best Places to Live” edition and what many of our neighboring communities are beginning to learn.

Any walk (or jog) on the greenway paths is a treat, but during the fall you get the added visual effect of brilliant colors and cool morning breezes. The greenway trails are a great place to walk, run, jog or bike anytime of year because many areas of the trails are shaded from direct sunlight and surrounded by the beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers preserved for our enjoyment. Most of these excursions are is often enhanced by encounters with local wildlife such as squirrels, rabbits, deer and birds of many different varieties. Get out an enjoy the fun, but be sure to come back during the fall.

Suwanee, Georgia Community Video – Suwanee, GA 30024

A recent example of this occurred when a group of friends gathered in the center of the park for a “Meet Up” drum circle in the early evening. Area residents and park visitors were treated to about an hour of rhythmic sounds and movement as the group of 20-30 people played their various drums and percussion instruments while belly dancers moved through the circle to their enticing beat. The impromptu gathering drew about 40-50 spectators, with some joining the fun as drummers or dancers.

Other such gatherings include occasional bagpipes practicing in the park, some amazing kite flying demonstrations, or weekend games of Cricket being played by small groups of young men, who actually understand the game and play well.

Sometimes it just pays to be in park because you never know what you might see. Suwanee plays hard, lives well and smiles more, because of the friendly people who live here….come join us.