| Gateway85 CID January 2024 Newsletter
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Gwinnett Municipal Delegation Reception Recap
On January 3, Gateway85 CID sponsored the Gwinnett Municipal Association and welcomed members of the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives at a networking reception held in the district at Eagle Rock Distributing. With more than 50 delegates in attendance, the reception served as an invaluable platform to foster connections and engage in meaningful discussions that have set a positive tone to get work done in 2024. Participants mingled and exchanged ideas, articulating goals and formulating plans that will shape collaborative efforts in the months to come.
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Pictured above: Emory Morsberger, Executive Director of Gateway85 CID; Victoria Jones, City Council member for Lawrenceville and President of the Gwinnett Municipal Association; and Max Hannum with Eagle Rock Distributing.
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ALERT: Traffic Delays
There will be road closures on Jimmy Carter that will begin on Wednesday, January 31 and will continue through Friday, February 9. The affected area will be between Buford Highway and Brookhollow on Jimmy Carter Boulevard. At times throughout the day, the work will require two-lane stops to unload dump trucks that will be supplying dirt to the newly installed median. Crews will begin work at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. daily.
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Special Projects Update
Gwinnett County is proposing microtransit in its recently adopted Transit Development Plan. If you’re not familiar, microtransit is a minibus service that deploys "on demand" and circulates through a community to help residents and workers travel short distances between their homes, work, stores, appointments, restaurants and a host of other local destinations.
The county has rolled out microtransit in key zones in Lawrenceville and Snellville. We conducted a comprehensive test drive, gathering valuable feedback from our esteemed Board members and community leaders. A heartfelt thank you to these critical contributors for their active participation and insightful discussions: Shiv Aggarwal, Tim Le, Mike Reams, Hipolito M Goico, Ryan Hoyt, Billy Torres, Karlea Henry, William T. Corbin, Will Newton, Bruce Johnson, Bruce Gaynor, Ben Ku, R. Nathan DeVoe and Marvin Lim. Based on the success of the tour, and the plan, we are currently in discussions with Gwinnett County to try to jumpstart a pilot program in Gateway85 CID as soon as this year! Stay tuned!
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Pictured above: Local officials and area representatives, including Gateway85 CID's Emory Morsberger and Carolyn Bourdeaux, try the microtransit pilot system in Lawrenceville.
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Board Member and Community Leader Spotlight – Tim Le
This month’s spotlight is on Tim Le! Owner of NDI Maxim Real Estate, and now a candidate for Gwinnett County Commission, Tim is an esteemed member of the board of directors for Gateway85 CID, is Chairman of the City of Peachtree Corners' Downtown Development Authority, is on the board of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and also is an active parliamentarian in the Georgia Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce (GVACC).
Tim's impact extends far beyond recognition; he was nominated twice for the Georgia Asian Times 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia in 2010 and 2012. However, the term "influential" only hints at the depth of Tim's commitment to our professional and local community. He has dedicated himself to bridging the gap between the growing Vietnamese community in Georgia and the wider U.S. mainstream community.
Tim has assisted numerous small businesses in finding a commercial location and enhancing their operations. His efforts extend to providing support in marketing and management and enabling these businesses to expand their reach beyond their immediate communities.
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Bring Your Big Dragon Energy and Celebrate The Lunar New Year in Gwinnett
Tim has also been instrumental in planning the annual Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration that takes place in Gwinnett County. On February 3 and 4, from 1 – 10 p.m. each day, the Vietnamese American Community of Georgia (VAC-GA) is hosting this spectacular annual cultural event steeped in tradition and vibrant cultural experiences. The event will bring 5,000 attendees to Gwinnett County and is happening at Plaza Las Americas, 733 Pleasant Hill Road in Lilburn. Experience live performances, talent competitions, incredible food and more.
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Nonprofit Spotlight – Boy with a Ball
Gwinnett County is home to more than 250,000 individuals under the age of 18, and unfortunately, a significant number of them go unnoticed and overlooked by education, social programs or employment outreach opportunities. Through the Pipeline Career Program, Boy with a Ball is dedicated to ensuring that every underserved young person in Gwinnett is acknowledged, recognized and embraced.
Should you choose to make a financial donation to Boy with a Ball, your contribution will support young individuals in establishing connections with a community that will accompany them on their quest to uncover their identity and purpose, explore their unique gifts and talents and construct a future filled with hope and promise.
When purpose and connection meet, anything is possible. Work has the power to transform individual lives, families and communities. According to the organization, “It can be an expression of who we are, catalyze innovation, social change and allow communities to flourish.”
Explore Pipeline’s current employment, educational and community opportunities here.
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Government Spotlight – Department of Community Affairs
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), created in 1977, is a state agency that helps build strong, vibrant communities by supporting them on their journey toward growth and prosperity. The department lays the groundwork for economic opportunities and local development efforts in Georgia through safe and affordable housing, local government assistance, and community and economic development.
Cherie Bennett, economic development program manager at the Office of State Economic Development within the DCS, has provided information on the Gateway85 CID's designated Opportunity Zone (OZ) and the associated benefits for businesses.
Gateway85 CID's OZ is a designated area where local government redevelopment and revitalization efforts can qualify for the state's maximum Job Tax Credit of $3,500 per job.
Want to get the full story? Click here!
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Nonprofit Spotlight - Aurora Theatre
Aurora Theatre, the epitome of professional arts in Gwinnett County and Northeast Georgia, is committed to reflecting our diverse community, advancing education and fostering sustainable growth. Aurora Theatre is a beacon of inspiration and innovation for generations to come and a major pillar of our local arts and creative economy.
We invite you to experience the theater firsthand, becoming part of the shared journey to foster community and inclusivity for everyone in Gwinnett and beyond.
Read more about Aurora Theatre and get tickets here.
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McBath Announces Lilburn, Peachtree Corners Will Receive Over $500,000 from Department of Transportation Grants
Last month, District 7 Rep. Lucy McBath announced that The City of Peachtree Corners and The City of Lilburn are recipients of Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants, totaling $569,600. The funds will enhance road safety, with Peachtree Corners developing a comprehensive plan and piloting traffic cameras/sensors and Lilburn implementing a city-wide safety plan, roundabout feasibility study and temporary traffic calming measures. The next round of SS4A applications will open in February 2024.
Read more here.
McBath Announces Seventh District Service Academy Nominations for Class of 2028
Representative Lucy McBath also proudly unveiled the 22 students from the Seventh District nominated by her office to attend various United States military service academies. Several of these nominations included students from Berkmar Norcross High School.
“Twenty-two young men and women from our community have earned these nominations to service academies, an achievement they and their families should be extremely proud to bear,” said McBath. “I wish them luck as they embark on this next step of their academic journey.”
The students who have been nominated by McBath's office must now undergo the selection process by the respective service academy to secure a formal appointment for attendance in the fall of 2024. We are delighted to have these outstanding young individuals represent our community!
Read more about the Class of 2028 nominations here.
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City of Peachtree Corners and Norcross Updates
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Ackerman Retail Brokers Ground Lease for Chick-fil-A
Ackerman Retail, a division of Ackerman & Co., successfully brokered the sale of a 15-year ground lease for a Chick-fil-A restaurant at 5455 Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross. Sean Patrick, Senior VP of Investment Sales, represented the seller. The 4,200 sq. ft. property in Gwinnett County's bustling retail district quickly sold at a 3.9% cap rate, attracting a local buyer through Ackerman Retail's marketing. The strategic location, coupled with the strong Chick-fil-A brand, contributed to the property's appeal.
Read more about the 15-year ground lease here.
Public Safety Building Design Update
Following the November 29 Town Hall, community members could express their preferences for the four architectural styles presented for a public safety building. The collected public feedback has been shared with the project's architectural firm to assist in crafting a design that was presented to the Mayor and City Council on January 16.
View the results and other project information here.
Town Green Upgrade and Expansion Projects
Commencing the week of December 3, Peachtree Corners began to expand the Town Green, including a new Tot Lot Playground themed around space exploration for kids up to age 6. The park’s center, which included drainage upgrades and new sod, also features an off-leash dog park. Although some areas are limited during construction, we are excited to witness the progress of these additions.
Read more here.
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Knead
January 25 – February 25, 2024
Aurora Theatre
Learn more and buy tickets here.
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Celebrity Comedian: Ben Bailey
January 27, 2024, 8 p.m.
Aurora Theatre
Learn more and buy tickets here.
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Gwinnett Chamber Annual Dinner 2024
February 2, 2024, 6 p.m.
Gas South Convention Center
Learn more and register here.
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Georgia Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce Lunar New Year Event
February 3 and 4, 2024
4343 NE Expressway
Details TBD. Find updates on the GVACC site.
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Rainbow Village Second Chance Golf Classic 2024
April 15, 2024, 12 p.m.
TPC Sugarloaf
Learn more and register as a sponsor here.
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