| Gateway85 CID April 2022 Newsletter
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| | Executive Director Update
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To say Gateway85 is going strong would be an understatement. You may have seen the latest news coverage about our plans for OFS. We have been working behind the scenes over the past few months on a redevelopment initiative for a part of the OFS property at Jimmy Carter Blvd. and I-85.
In 2018, Gwinnett County had the foresight to purchase 103 acres of the site’s 200 acres. While OFS still operates and produces fiber optic cable and more, the property has also been the site for some of the world’s biggest blockbuster movies.
Our plans include developing a computer gaming incubator, a film production accelerator, and outreach and training opportunities to reach members of our community who are economically disadvantaged. We have three main objectives:
- Create Georgia’s first base for computer gaming.
- Work with film production companies to create an incubator or accelerator program that engages local students from area high schools as well as Georgia Gwinnett College. The goal is for these students to become creators, directors, producers, production support, set designers, marketing professionals, costume designers and more in the booming Georgia film industry.
- Coordinate services and outreach to nearby economically disadvantaged residents.
Stay tuned as we continue to refine details around the plan and move it forward this year!
In addition to OFS, we have been concentrating efforts on the Incredible Corridor. We recently finished a study that indicated that nearly 30,000 trips occur along the corridor during peak commuting hours, 400,000-500,000 trips per day begin and end within the study area of Mountain Industrial Boulevard and Jimmy Carter Boulevard from East Ponce de Leon Avenue to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, and that 25% only travel two miles or less.
To help combat the congestion, the counties, cities and the CID partners, including Gateway85 and Tucker Summit CID, are considering three transit options: a local bus that connects Gwinnett County and MARTA bus services to improve connectivity through the corridor; an arterial bus rapid transit that travels along high-frequency transit lines with transit priority treatments; or a coordinated employer shuttle that connects apartment complexes with employers.
Once we gather feedback on these options, we will identify the next steps and actions to begin implementing the best plans – ideally this year!
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U.S. Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux announced earlier this month that she helped to secure more than $5 million to go toward community funding projects in the 7th District.
“All 10 of my Community Project Funding requests were successfully funded in Congress’s FY22 Spending bill to help employ veterans, expand early learning in underinvested communities, promote transportation and infrastructure planning, support minority businesses, increase investment in local schools and so much more,” Bourdeaux said.
She also helped to pass the largest Pell Grant increase in a decade, increased veteran’s assistance and additional USCIS funding to address the rising immigration backlog. When you put it all together, the package helps to address the diverse needs of the 7th district and will help Georgia families thrive.
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Gateway85 Awarded $750K for
Beaver Ruin Interchange
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Gateway85 submitted and was awarded a $750,000 grant from the Georgia Infrastructure Bank (GTIB), which is managed by the State Road and Tollway Authority for (SRTA), for improvements to the I-85 at Beaver Ruin Interchange. While added funds are needed to begin the project, this significant level of state funding is critical in obtaining final funding.
When complete, the interchange improvements will significantly enhance mobility, spur economic development and enable the Gateway85 community to continue to thrive.
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Earth Day: Gateway85 Goes Electric!
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Gateway85 takes our district members’ quality of life very seriously. We’re proud to announce, in support of this year’s Earth Day on Friday, that we are moving to BrightView’s zero-emission electric mowers! As of this month, 50% of the mowers that keep our district landscaping clean and attractive, will be electric. In addition, all two-stroke engines, including hedgers, blowers and weed eaters are electric. The move to electric mowers and other equipment not only decreases noise pollution but also reduces the amount of potentially harmful gases that affect our air quality and increase efficiency.
Brightview is the nation’s leading commercial landscaping company and is dedicated to developing and deploying environmentally sustainable solutions with a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035. Our goal is to have all our landscaping equipment move to zero emissions over time. Stay tuned for more updates!
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Gateway85 CID continuously collaborates and partners with Gwinnett County – one of the largest counties in the metro Atlanta area – and other organizations to conduct studies, infrastructure updates to improve mobility and more. Our continued success is often based on these close partnerships that we have developed over the past 15 years. Below are updates on critical projects we are moving forward:
- Gateway85 is partnering with the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation to study and eventually replace the Jimmy Carter Boulevard Bridge. This district landmark is reaching the end of its initial life and plans are currently being studied to decide the best way to replace the structure.
- Gwinnett Place CID and Sugarloaf CID are partnering with us for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) study that will focus on creating more transportation options for Gwinnett County visitors and residents between Doraville and Sugarloaf Mills.
- Gwinnett County Commissioners approved a partnership with Gateway85 and Kimley Horn to conduct a study to improve the district’s walkability.
- Gateway85 submitted and was awarded a $750,000 grant from the Georgia Infrastructure Bank (GTIB), which is managed by the State Road and Tollway Authority for (SRTA), for improvements to the I-85 at Beaver Ruin Interchange.
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In our quest to continue to upgrade the appearance of our district, we are pleased to announce that we are installing landscaping to medians along Jimmy Carter Boulevard from South Tucker Norcross Road to Rockbridge Road. This beautification effort will require intermittent road closures of one lane over the course of 30 days. We will post updates on social media, so be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages!
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Olé Mexican Foods has a strong Georgia history. The company’s founder, Veronica Moreno, began making and selling authentic tortillas in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1988. Today, the company’s distribution center is located right here in our district near the OFS plant. They have a passion for creating great food using traditional ingredients that have been passed down for generations. Veronica, as well as her family and her staff, have never lost sight of the importance of creating great foods that bring families together at the table. We are proud to have them as a member of Gateway85 CID.
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In honor of National Volunteer Month, the CID is spotlighting Larry Campbell, president and CEO of Corners Outreach, a nonprofit organization based in Peachtree Corners. The organization’s mission is to equip Metro Atlanta's underserved students of color and their families to lead full lives through educational development and economic opportunities.
Did you know Georgia ranks 49th of 50 in social mobility? That’s the ability to shift one’s social status. Since the rise of COVID, Corners Outreach’s clients include more than 700 families, with the majority being POC and low-income. In fact, the families serviced at Corners lost 75% of their income due to the pandemic. To relieve families of financial hardship, Corners Outreach partnered with other organizations to offer families healthcare, food, housing, employment, tutoring and more. “We focused on the whole family and deepened our relationships and services,” said Campbell. “It helps us see the true-life lived-in poverty and further increases our focus on breaking the cycles of poverty. To us, it is about the families. We believe that changing their life is our primary outcome.”
If you share Larry’s vision to build one community where every person thrives, no matter their color, status or background, get involved. There are multiple entries for our community to connect with Corners families. Click the link to explore these opportunities!
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INVITE ONLY: Today April 21 - Select & Build Gwinnett, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Gateway85 CID is co-hosting the Select & Build Gwinnett event along with four other Gwinnett County CIDs to exclusively reach brokers and developers focused on leasing and redevelopment opportunities in Gwinnett County.
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Gwinnett Chamber Dinner – Friday, 4/22 (Sold Out)
We hope you got your tickets for the Annual Gwinnett Chamber Dinner bringing together Gwinnett County’s business executives, community leaders and elected officials. See you there!
Gwinnett Chamber Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit – 5/25If you want to showcase your company’s dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion, attend this event on May 25! Click the link for more information.
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Recently the district and our Executive Director, Emory Morsberger, were featured in Gwinnett Magazine. We got the chance to talk about the exciting plans we have for the district and the County. Read more by clicking below!
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Follow Us On Social Media!
Want the latest news on what's happening with Gateway85 CID? Please follow us on all social media channels below!
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