Collaboration continues to drive the work of the Lilburn Community Improvement District, from investing in public safety to supporting thoughtful growth.

Recently, the CID and the City of Lilburn partnered with a Kennesaw State University architecture class to explore conceptual recommendations for the city. The project began with a tour of Old Town Lilburn, where students gathered context alongside Professor Kevin Dougherty and me. I was honored to serve on the jury panel for the first presentation and look forward to the second on March 6. Engaging with the next generation of designers brings valuable perspective to Lilburn’s future.

Public safety remains a top priority. In our latest Tad Talks blog, we highlight our partnership with the Lilburn Police Department, including the shared investment in 36 Flock Safety cameras citywide. This coordinated effort strengthens monitoring and response along key corridors and commercial areas.

The City also recently hosted a Downtown Master Plan Charrette focused on Old Town Lilburn, where more than 200 community members shared valuable input to help shape a long-term vision for downtown. At the same time, construction continues at The Porchline development and the shared parking deck, reflecting ongoing investment in the infrastructure that supports growth and activity in downtown Lilburn.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to build a stronger, safer and more connected Lilburn.

Tad Leithead
Executive Director

Lilburn CID and the City of Lilburn recently had the opportunity to collaborate with a Kennesaw State University architecture class developing conceptual recommendations for the city.

The project kicked off with a tour of Old Town Lilburn, where students walked the area alongside Tad and their professor, Kevin Dougherty. During the visit, they gathered context, took photos and explored the community’s layout, assets and opportunities to better inform their design approach.

Students later presented their initial concepts to a jury panel, and Tad had the pleasure of participating in the first review. The presentations highlighted creative ideas tailored to Lilburn’s character and growth goals. A second presentation will take place on March 6 and will focus on implementation strategies and how those concepts could be achieved.

Tad was honored to be part of the process and to engage with students, bringing fresh perspectives to Lilburn’s future. Opportunities like this reflect the value of collaboration and the importance of investing in thoughtful, forward-looking planning.

Creating a safe, welcoming community takes collaboration and shared investment. In the latest Tad Talks blog, Tad highlights the ongoing partnership between the Lilburn Police Department and the Lilburn Community Improvement District and how that coordination supports residents, businesses and visitors.

One key example is the shared investment in 36 Flock Safety license plate reading cameras across the city, with 11 funded by the CID and 25 funded by Lilburn PD. This proactive approach enhances crime monitoring and strengthens response efforts along key corridors and commercial areas.

As Chief Dusik, head of Lilburn PD, shares, “Keeping Lilburn safe is a shared responsibility, and our partnership with the Lilburn Community Improvement District plays an important role in that effort.”

Read the full blog here and learn how this partnership helps protect people, property and the places that make Lilburn special.

The City of Lilburn recently hosted a Downtown Master Plan Charrette focused on shaping a long-term vision for Old Town Lilburn. Throughout the week, residents, business owners, property owners and community partners participated in kickoff meetings, open studio sessions and stakeholder conversations to share ideas and feedback.

More than 200 people attended the public meetings, demonstrating a strong commitment to the future of Old Town. Visiting architect Ian Lockwood of Toole Design and his team facilitated multiple discussions at Lilburn City Hall’s Preston Room, helping guide conversations around a comprehensive 50-year vision for the downtown area.

Tad attended several of the meetings and was inspired by the thoughtful input and collaborative spirit on display. The engagement and insight shared will play an important role in shaping the next chapter of Old Town Lilburn. More updates will be shared as the plan continues to take shape!

Construction continues to move forward at The Porchline development and the shared parking deck in downtown Lilburn.

At the parking deck, crews are wrapping up brick and canopy work, completing remaining metal and steel elements and finalizing electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems. These finishing touches mark significant progress toward delivering additional parking capacity to support downtown activity and future growth.

Over at The Porchline, exterior improvements are taking shape with ongoing brickwork, canopy installation, siding and painting. Inside, drywall is being installed in Building A1, while cabinets and countertops are going into Building B1. Fencing installation along the north side near the townhomes is also coming soon.

Learn more about the project here.

Arturo Adonay brings decades of entrepreneurial experience and regional leadership to the Lilburn CID Board. A native of Mexico, he began his business journey at a young age and went on to launch restaurants, a marketing and advertising agency and a real estate firm before relocating to the United States 27 years ago.

Arturo has played a key role in developing Hispanic-focused retail destinations such as Plaza Fiesta and Plaza Las Americas in metro Atlanta. Under his leadership, Plaza Las Americas has maintained a 95% occupancy rate and was named Best Place in Gwinnett in 2023.

Today, he oversees more than 500,000 square feet of retail and office space and continues expanding into property management, investment and redevelopment. His focus on revitalizing underutilized spaces and supporting local entrepreneurs brings valuable insight to the Lilburn CID and the community it serves.

Read more about the Lilburn CID board here.

On March 6, business and community leaders from across the region will gather for the Gwinnett Chamber’s annual State of the County Address, hosted in partnership with the Council for Quality Growth. This annual event features the Chairwoman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, who will share insights on Gwinnett’s progress, key priorities and vision for the future.

The State of the County Address offers an important opportunity to better understand the initiatives shaping economic development, infrastructure and quality of life throughout Gwinnett. Lilburn CID is proud to serve as a principal sponsor of this informative event and looks forward to hearing from county leadership and supporting continued growth across the community.

Learn more and register here.

State of the Country Address

March 6, 9 – 10:15 a.m.

12Stone Church

Learn more and register here

Economic Outlook

March 12, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

John C. Maxwell Leadership Center

Learn more and register here

Coffee & Conversations With the Council

March 24, 9 – 10 a.m.

Council for Quality Growth

Learn more and register here

Lilburn Spring Cleanup

April 4, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Lilburn City Hall Parking Lot

Learn more here