SNELLVILLE — A 90-unit townhome development has been approved for construction on a 14.75 acres site on Scenic Highway on the city’s south side.
By a vote of 5-1, with Councilwoman Cristy Lenski dissenting, Mayor and Council approved the development following compromises accepted by developers which reduced the amount of units at 2465 Scenic Highway South from 101 to 90 and making accommodations for increased landscape buffers, guest parking spaces and better-looking garage doors among others.
The original proposal was tabled the last time it was heard before Mayor and Council so the developers could address concerns from nearby residents and city officials.
“The site plan also pulls the development further back from Lanier Forest,” said Planning Development Director Jason Thompson. “The applicant concurrently provided revised front elevations with enhancements made to the garages to make them more aesthetically pleasing.”
Members of Council praised the applicant Meritage Homes for its willingness to work with residents and city officials about their concerns and ultimately voted to approve the plan to make way for the development.
SNELLVILLE — Atlanta-based Place Maker Design has been tapped by Mayor and Council to design the Mercantile building, a unique city market planned for The Grove at Towne Center.
By 6-0 vote, Mayor and Council agreed to pay the firm $118,500 for its services to create a signature, 25,000-square-foot, two-floor building which will be a centerpiece of The Grove. Place Maker Design has designed prominent buildings in Woodstock, Alpharetta and Atlanta, among other locations.
"The group that we settled on got it," said Mayor Pro Tem Dave Emanuel. "They seemed very open. They seemed sincerely concerned about what we wanted. So I think we all came to the same conclusion that they were the best suited for what we needed and really understood (our goal)."
Costs cover schematic design, design development and construction document services of the $6 million project. Also included are architectural, civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering services as well as administration services.
The design will be completed by late summer in time to start construction this fall. It is scheduled to open in September of 2022.
A city market concept will be offered on the first floor, while event space will be offered on the second level.
The Grove at Towne Center's first phase will include over 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office and entertainment space, and approximately 262 multi-family luxury apartments. In addition, the new Elizabeth Williams Library will be constructed and include a second-floor business development/accelerator space.
After a hiatus due to Covid-19, the popular concerts on the lawn in front of Snellville City Hall return May 8 – a "Mom's Night Out" – with the ever-popular Shag music group The Swingin' Medallions. The show starts at 5:30 p.m. and the first 100 mothers in attendance will receive a free rose.
Masks and social distancing is encouraged and there will be plenty of sanitizing stations placed throughout the lawn for these free events. Centers for Disease Control and state guidelines regarding Covid-19 will be in effect. Organizers ask everyone to be courteous and keep their distance from the people next to them as they want to ensure a safe environment for everyone to enjoy the event.
"We are excited to bring back the events that Snellville residents and visitors have come to know and love," said Mayor Barbara Bender. "While precautions are in place, we will still offer the same fun-filled evenings friends and family have enjoyed over the years while attending an event on the Towne Green. We hope to see you soon!"
The Live! on the Lawn Concert Series is as follows:
6-9 p.m., May 29 – The Wildflowers – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Tribute
The Ninth Annual Snellville Memorial Celebration will take place in front of the Veterans Memorial from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
6-9 p.m., July 24 – The Ray Howard Band – Earth, Wind and Fire Tribute and Motown Favorites
7-9 p.m., Aug. 21 – 20-RIDE – Zac Brown Tribute
6-9 p.m., Sept. 18 – Purple Madness – Prince Tribute and Timeless Tina – a Tribute to Tina Turner
Attendees can reserve a table at a concert for six people for $125. Tables are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information visit www.experiencesnellville.com.
"We are so happy that we are able to bring our concerts back to the Green this year," said Snellville Tourism and Trade Executive Director Kelly McAloon. "Join us for a rocking good time in Snellville!"
Food Truck Fridays are also back on the Towne Green. The events take place from 4-8 p.m. and are set for May 7 and June 4.
From left, Councilman Tod Warner, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Emanuel, Mayor Barbara Bender and councilmembers Cristy Lenski, Gretchen Schulz and Solange Destang break ground on The Grove at Towne Center.
Snellville, GA — The City of Snellville, along with co-developers CASTO and MidCity, is pleased to announce that Mid Cast Snellville has commenced demolition and broken ground on The Grove at Towne Center. The ceremony initiated The Grove's $85 million first phase, which is scheduled to begin to deliver in 2022.
The city of Snellville and Mid Cast team have been working for more than three years to plan and design the project. The groundbreaking event commemorated the first visible progress of the highly anticipated town center project. Attendees heard from key leaders of the project, including Mayor Barbara Bender, and witnessed a ceremonial groundbreaking. There was also a surprise presentation of a $500,000 donation from the Snell Family Foundation. A portion of the funds are expected to go toward a public art statue of City founders James Sawyer and Thomas Snell.
"We're ecstatic to begin visible progress on this long-awaited project," said Snellville Mayor Barbara Bender. "This is a momentous occasion for the City and its residents."
The Grove at Towne Center will be a large scale, mixed-use town center property, comprising 18 acres between Oak Road, Wisteria Drive, North Road and Clower Street, in downtown
Snellville. The Grove at Towne Center's first phase will include over 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office and entertainment space, and approximately 262 multi-family luxury apartments. In addition, the new Elizabeth Williams Library will be constructed and include a 2nd floor business development/accelerator space.
The Snell Family Foundation donated $500,000 to project. A portion of the funds are expected to go toward a public art statue of City founders James Sawyer and Thomas Snell.
ABOUT CASTO
CASTO, a fully integrated real estate organization since 1926, is a recognized leader in the ownership, management, acquisition and development of multifamily residences, mix-use properties, commercial shopping centers and office buildings. CASTO's growing portfolio currently includes more than 26 million square feet of commercial property and more than 5,000 residential units located throughout the midwestern and southeastern United States. CASTO is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and serves a variety of clients from five offices in Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. To learn more about CASTO, visit www.castoinfo.com.
ABOUT MidCity Real Estate Partners
Founded in 2009, Atlanta based, MidCity Real Estate Partners acquires, repositions, and develops office, and mixed-use properties. MidCity is known in the Atlanta market for their work on Alpharetta City Center, which was named a 2018 Development of Excellence for Exceptional Merit for Context-Sensitive Town Center Development, by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Through MidCity Realty Corporation, an affiliate real estate brokerage company, MidCity offers a full range of advisory services. MidCity is the successor company to The Griffin Company, a 35-year-old full service commercial real estate development and construction company headquartered in Atlanta, GA. To learn more about MidCity, visit www.midcitypartners.com.
ABOUT SNELLVILLE
Snellville's convenient Gwinnett County location, approximately 18 miles east of Atlanta and 45 miles west of Athens, has allowed it to prosper as a hub of commerce and retail in Northeast Georgia. Snellville's roots extend to 19th century London when two friends traveled to America and later started Snellville's rich history of commerce with stores of their own. Snellville is home to the award-winning Snellville Farmers' Market, a world class Veterans Memorial and one of the most decorated police departments in the state. Snellville is known for its dedicated volunteers and its celebrated diversity.
It is with deep sadness that the City of Snellville announces the death of Planning Commission Chairman G. William "Bill" Kingsbury.
He passed this morning on his 79th birthday.
Over the past five years, Bill battled health issues while diligently serving in his capacity with the city.
He was appointed to the city Planning Commission in September of 2015, was voted Vice Chairman in January of 2018 and Chairman in June of 2018.
"This is a big loss for city and community," said City Manager Butch Sanders. "He was valued participant in all of the city's conversations. His voice and input will be missed."
Kingsbury was also a member of the Downtown Development Authority.
"He was a great human, a mentor, and one of Snellville's best community advocates," said Planning and Development Director Jason Thompson. "Bill never missed an opportunity to serve."
A socially distanced memorial service is being planned for Saturday, April 3.
SNELLVILLE –The Grove at Towne Center took another big step forward Monday as Mayor and Council unanimously voted to begin the search for an architect to build the development's City Market.
The City Market, dubbed the "Mercantile", will be a two-story, 24,000-square-foot market complete with a unique dining experience and room or small- and large-scale events in the second floor. The Mercantile will be built on the corner of Wisteria Drive and Thomas Snell Way, a new road in the development.
The move allows the city to interview architects for the Mercantile which will be the centerpiece of The Grove.
In September, the city, along with co-developers CASTO and MidCity, announced the approval of a City Market construction and leasing agreement. And last month, Snellville's Downtown Development Authority has officially acquired the former U.S. Post Office building on Oak Road. It is the final piece of property needed in what will become The Grove, located between Wisteria Drive, North and Oak Roads and Clower Street. The former post office will be demolished to make way for luxury apartments and a 749-space parking deck later this year.
Demolition for The Grove's $85 million first phase began with asbestos abatement this week and is slated to deliver in 2022.
The Grove at Towne Center will be a large scale, mixed-use town center property, comprising 18 acres between Oak Road, Wisteria Drive, North Road, and Clower Street, in downtown Snellville. The Grove at Towne Center's first phase – including the Mercantile - will include more than 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office and entertainment space, and approximately 250 multi-family luxury apartments. In addition, the new Elizabeth Williams Library will be constructed and include a second-floor business development/accelerator space.
In other city business:
Mayor and Council voted to table rezone and land use permit that would have brought a 101-unit townhome development to Scenic Highway south of Henry Clower Boulevard until the developer can meet with neighboring residents to determine a better fit for the character of the area. The case will be reheard by Mayor and Council March 22.
The developer of a five-story hotel proposed for Highway 78 near Fountain Drive withdrew his request for a special use permit to build the project after it was rejected by the city's Planning Commission and raised concerns from neighbors citing increased noise, traffic and unwanted lighting. The developer now has the opportunity to change his plans for a better use of the property.
The City has issued a request for bid for their Property & Casualty Insurance and a second bid has been issued for the sale of property. To get more details please go to our bid page.
There is nothing super about missing the biggest football game of the season because you are drunk sitting in a jail cell.
That is why the Snellville Police Department and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety are reminding everyone to always make the smart decision to never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Snellville Police Department will join state and local law enforcement agencies to prevent drunk driving crashes during Super Bowl weekend by taking all legally impaired drivers they find on the road to jail. No warnings. No excuses.
"Georgia law enforcement enforce DUI laws every day, but state troopers, sheriff's deputies and police officers know events like Super Bowl weekend lead to a greater probability of impaired drivers endangering the lives of everyone on the road," said Chief Roy Whitehead. "Drunk driving is a choice, and we are asking everyone to choose wisely by not getting behind the wheel when they know they are over the limit of .08 BAC. Those drivers who ignore our warnings may find themselves in a jail cell."
COVID-19 will prevent many people gathering at parties or at bars and restaurants to watch the big game this year. State and local law enforcement officers remind those fans who will have alcohol on their tailgate menu on game day to pass the keys to a sober driver should they need to travel.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 10,141 people killed in alcohol-impaired crashes in the United States in 2019.
While the number of alcohol-impaired driving deaths in Georgia in 2019 dropped by six percent from the previous year, alcohol is a factor in one out of four traffic deaths in the state.
"Georgia law enforcement officers do not want to have to arrest anyone for DUI, but they know they are preventing a possible DUI crash with every impaired driver they take to jail," Governor's Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole said. "All drunk driving deaths are completely preventable, and we are asking everyone to join our fight to save lives on our roads by choosing to never drive after drinking."
The Snellville Police Department, GOHS, and NHTSA offer the following tips to help stop drunk driving:
Choose a non-drinking person to be the designated driver before going out.
Do not let someone you know get behind the wheel if they have been drinking.
Let friends know they can contact you for a sober ride when needed.
Those hosting a party where alcohol is served should make sure guests leave with a sober driver.
Always wear your seat belt because it is the best defense against impaired drivers.
