| Gateway85 CID September 2022 Newsletter
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The Incredible Corridor to Launch This Fall
Gateway85 CID, working in conjunction with Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, Tucker Summit CID and MARTA, plans to launch a new CID-funded free transit line to help hundreds of workers get to their jobs more easily starting later this fall. If you are an employer along Jimmy Carter Boulevard and would like to learn how you can help your employees, please contact me at emory@gateway85.com. Also, be sure to check the Incredible Corridor website for regular updates and route information as the project continues to evolve.
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Jimmy Carter Boulevard Sidewalk Improvements Continue
It's incredible! Gateway85 CID continues to increase accessibility and mobility throughout the district with the addition of more sidewalks. Construction on the new sidewalks along Jimmy Carter Boulevard is underway, and temporary walls and partitions were erected earlier this month in preparation for concrete placement.
These are some of the many community improvement efforts conducted regularly by Gateway85 to improve our area and support our businesses. To date, the CID is responsible for more than 18 miles of pedestrian crossings, sidewalks and other amenities. This new project will increase that total to over 95,000 linear feet!
We look forward to this project’s completion and the installation of future improvements, including updating our medians throughout the district.
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“It may be cliché, but Gateway85 CID truly sits at the gateway to one of Atlanta’s largest industrial submarkets,” said Elliott Wlliams, Vice President of Leasing for Link Logistics.
Elliot, a father of four, began his career with national real estate brokerage JLL before transitioning to Link Logistics’ predecessor Gateway Industrial Properties in 2018. He joined the Gateway85 CID board in the spring of 2022.
Link Logistics is the leading owner of last-mile logistics real estate for the support and success of the modern supply chain in the U.S. Their Georgia portfolio includes warehouses and business parks comprising more than 56 million square feet. According to Elliot, the metro Atlanta area is one of the company’s most critical markets.
“As the largest owner of industrial real estate in Atlanta, Link Logistics has a vested interest in the communities we invest into and are part of,” said Elliot. “The assets we own here are an important strategic piece to our overall portfolio holdings. Joining the Gateway85 board was a natural extension of this to be an engaged advocate on behalf of our investors and customers in the district.”
Link Logistics is particularly engaged in the area’s current initiatives and future planning being managed by Emory Morsberger and the Gateway85 CID board of directors.
“We believe that good business and doing good must be synonymous. To that end, Link is wholeheartedly committed to leading with its values to advance environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives inside and outside our organization,” said Elliot. “The CID’s investment in infrastructure, security and transportation have a direct impact on property values and occupier decisions to locate here. Combined with the vision and initiatives of the Board for the area, I’m thrilled to play a small part in helping make this area a destination for years to come.”
Interested in joining Gateway85 and getting involved in the future of the district? Visit the website to learn how you and your business can invest in our community for an improved future.
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Don’t forget to mark your calendar to attend the Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit on October 13, 2022 at the Movie Studio Grill in Duluth! We’re excited to see which projects may win and who will be named this year’s Redevelopment Champion Award! Last year, Gateway85 Executive Director Emory Morsberger won for his work in the district and region.
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This month, we continue our Nonprofit Spotlight conversation with the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia focusing on how the organization approached pandemic and post-pandemic community needs.
CEO DePriest Waddy’s mission is “continuing to help meet the increasing needs resulting from complex family problems.” While DePriest did not join the organization until June of this year, he learned that his team and other community leaders discussed how to best use charitable aid during the pandemic.
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DePriest Waddy, President and CEO, The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia
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“During the organization's collaborative work with other leaders, the expression "flat tire was coined to express what families were experiencing during the pandemic. For example, I woke up to a flat tire on my way to a meeting one morning. I was fortunate enough to call AAA, take the meeting via Zoom and head to the office within the hour,” Waddy said. For families under financial or other circumstantial duress, a flat tire becomes much more complicated.
“A single mom with small children may lose a paycheck - or worse, a job. Safety could be an issue; there may not even be a spare in the trunk. If there is no cell phone, she could be stranded for hours or stuck at home for days. For some, a flat tire could be a terminal deal breaker - the last straw that breaks the camel’s back leading to depression, anxiety or the road back to an abusive spouse or partner.”
“So just as the flat tire can negatively change lives, think of dealing with what some consider a simple inconvenience in the midst of a pandemic - and continuing endemic - where the world is already in chaos and our families are on the brink of spinning out of control. It is imperative we create strategies that facilitate safe passage and positive outcomes.”
The Community Foundation covers a range of causes from homelessness and healthcare to education and beyond. They view the needs of their communities holistically.
“We know that the caring and generous support our fundholders provide will make an impact over many generations to come. And we take this work very seriously to ensure these investments have a lasting impact.”
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Norcross Slated for New Development: An Interview with Developer Mason Zimmerman
Gateway85 CID and the surrounding communities are rife with opportunities for redevelopment. Most recently, TileTech Renewal Company announced its conversion of a 1-acre block on South Peachtree Street in Norcross as another example of the modernization of existing area suburbs.
“We were drawn to Norcross for the same reason that we have been drawn to other small towns in the metro area: limited supply with growing demand, local passion, history, unique character and authenticity,” said Mason Zimmerman, owner of TileTech Renewal Company. “Norcross certainly checked all the boxes and the South End site, specifically, had all of that and more.”
Mason has lived and developed multiple properties in the area for more than 30 years.
“My partners and I have had very positive experiences in Historic Norcross as stakeholders,” said Mason. “I have watched the City ascend over the years due to a vibrant and strong relationship between the community, stakeholders and city leadership.”
“Norcross has been evolving in a very positive direction over the past 10 years with one project leading to another. The city chose to encourage more density within walking distance to Historic Downtown and that was one of many catalysts for renewal,” he continued.
This new redevelopment project, called South End, is the most recent manifestation of an existing area trend. “We are now on the rewarding journey of replacing a negative site that was inconsistent with the surrounding Historic area with a very positive, vibrant community that will complement and maybe even enhance it,” said Mason.
As currently conceptualized, South End will become an entertainment district with amenities such as a brewery and outdoor amphitheater. According to Mason, the local desire for such a place isn’t specific to Norcross but extends beyond the boundaries of the city.
“Residents from Peachtree Corners like to visit Norcross as much as Norcross residents enjoy visiting Duluth. From Chamblee to Dunwoody to Johns Creek, residents in those areas and points in between appreciate the variety of local, unique experiences within a short drive.”
This holistic view sets the stage for positive future growth. Mason encapsulated his excitement around the surge of local redevelopment by saying, “Everything old seems new again and even better!”
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Peachtree Corners to Grow Downtown Area
Peachtree Corners City Council recently approved a plan to redevelop The Forum shopping center with a hotel, food hall, multifamily apartments and public space.
Norcross Cleanup Day
Saturday, November 12, 8 AM – 3 PM
Norcross’ fall cleanup day is just around the corner and will take place at various places throughout the city. To learn more and sign up, visit the website here.
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On Topic - Transportation Talk Presented by Rocket IT
October 5, 11:30 AM - 1:15 PM
Commissioner Russell McMurry, Georgia Department of Transportation, will give an update on the current state of Georgia transportation.
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Gwinnett Chamber Candidates Forum
October 6, 3 - 4 PM
The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce will be holding a candidates forum event featuring four candidates for Gwinnett County Commission Districts 2 and 4. Gateway85 CID is the event's Presenting Sponsor.
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Dia de los Muertos
November 5
Thrasher Park
Come celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in Downtown Norcross on Saturday, November 5! Celebrate Hispanic heritage and history in a night of remembrance, dance and live authentic entertainment to be followed with a parade around Thrasher Park.
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State of Technology Summit
November 10, 11 AM
Atlanta Tech Park
Learn about trends and best practices in the technology sector and hear from industry leaders on the state of technology at this event by Partnership Gwinnett. The event will include several speakers from our district, including Scott Garrison with CleanSpark and Brian Johnson with the City of Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab.
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