Moving Forward
Community Improvement Districts (CIDs)
Long heralded as one of metro-Atlanta’s most desirable and fastest growing counties, many parts of Gwinnett are now facing the hard reality of being a mature community with aged and vacant buildings and dated infrastructure. Now, Gwinnett is again leading the region with innovative approaches to spearhead area redevelopment and improvement by the formation of Community Improvement Districts or CIDs for short.
Generally speaking, CIDs successfully build partnerships and fund projects with the goal of maintaining and enhancing historic growth areas. Here is how a CID works: local commercial property owners within a specified area in need of revitalization agree to increase their own property taxes in order to raise money for improvement projects. To become operational, CIDs must have 50 percent of property owners representing 75 percent of the value of the property in a district agreeing to the tax increase. Once approved by the appropriate governing body—in this case Gwinnett County—the CID is able to collect the additional revenue and put it to use in order to revitalize the area.
CID tax dollars become “seed money” used to leverage federal, state, local and private grants. All the money stays within the district to make the area more inviting for those seeking a place to live, work and shop. CIDs spearhead pedestrian, transportation and security improvement projects that ensure quality redevelopment.
Georgia’s first CID was formed in Cobb County’s Cumberland/Galleria area in 1987. The number of CIDs has increased to 12 in metro Atlanta, with three operating in Gwinnett. Highway 78 CID, includes a seven-mile stretch of US Highway 78 in the Snellville/Stone Mountain area. Gwinnett Place CID, encompasses Gwinnett’s first regional mall near Duluth. Gwinnett Village CID, centers around three interchanges along I-85 in Norcross: Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Indian Trail Road and Beaver Ruin Road.
With Gwinnett’s new focus on revitalization and redevelopment through CIDs, the County is set to attract sustainable and thriving business and jobs to the southern parts of the County with the intent to continue the motto that “Success Lives and Works Here” in Gwinnett.
Here is quick snapshot of each Gwinnett County Community Improvement District:
HIGHWAY 78 CIDs
As Gwinnett County’s first Community Improvement District, Highway 78 CID set the tone for revitalization in Gwinnett with its formation in 2003. The initial primary goal for the 78 district was to tackle the seven miles along US Highway 78 in the Snellville/Stone Mountain area preparing for the removal of the “temporary” reversible lanes and addition of a new median. The Board of Directors found its leadership in former Snellville Mayor Brett Harrell who has been its Executive Director since formation. Brett has been successful in lobbying the Department of Transportation for additional median openings to protect existing businesses in the area, adding decorative poles at 13 intersections, and planning for trees, shrubs and plants to enhance the overall aesthetics and appearance of the corridor. Not only did the CID lobby for specific changes to DOT plans that would benefit businesses in the area, they took it a step further in securing an additional $10 million in funding to ensure that the project would be an overall success. With design complete and funding secure, the project is set to begin construction early this spring. “The main goal over the next 2 years of the CID is to ensure that businesses operate as normal as possible during construction.” Executive Director Brett Harrell said.
One unique strategy employed by the Highway 78 District to change the dynamics of the area is the use of off duty police officers within the district boundaries. “During the course of the year, our organization provides the area with over 2000 extra hours of security protection and patrols by Gwinnett County Police at our own expense,” said Harrell.
With three years under its belt, the success of Highway 78 CID is already evident in the property values within the district. Since inception, property values for the area have increased on average over 20 percent proving that the CID was and will continue to be a wise investment for property owners and Gwinnett County.
Quick Facts
www.78cid.org
MISSION: Establish a vibrant, upscale destination area; improve business development opportunities; and enhance property values by developing and promoting coordinated transportation and community character improvements to benefit property owners, business owners, and residents along the Highway 78 corridor.
Gwinnett Place CID
When Gwinnett Place opened in the early 1980s, this regional mall was the center of commerce for the Gwinnett community. However, over time, changing buying habits, additional competition, and its auto–dependent development strategy began to have an impact. Business and community leaders in the greater Gwinnett Place area stepped up to the challenge and formed Gwinnett’s second CID in 2005. Now recognized as the primary advocate for the area and a challenger of the status quo, the CID has taken the lead in championing projects that will enhance the economic vitality and long-term sustainability of Gwinnett’s central business district.
“Our top priority is to implement projects focused on transportation mobility, redevelopment and streetscaping. We are laying the groundwork for the successful emergence of Gwinnett Place as an exciting, mixed-use destination in the heart of Gwinnett., said Joe Allen, Gwinnett Place CID Executive Director. A recently completed transportation study of the entire district produced a plan that identifies major roadway improvements along with pedestrian connections valued at $65.5 million.
Although traffic and streetscape improvements have many businesses in the district excited, the buzz around Gwinnett Place CID is the potential of several redevelopments that include high-rise construction of multi-story office/retail/condos. Currently, three zonings (1 approved and 2 pending) are Gwinnett’s first to fall under the new high rise regulations recently put in place by the Board of Commissioners to spur quality redevelopment. “This is what Community Improvement Districts bring to the table. CIDs stabilize an area and bring the focus back to the sustainability of the businesses. The Gwinnett Place area has prospered in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Together, the CID and business leaders are keeping Gwinnett Place the place to be,” said Allen.tience, listening, deserving trust and sharing the truth are among the most valuable characteristics of a good man - and leader.
Quick Facts
www.GwinnettPlaceCID.com
MISSION: Enhance the economic vitality of Gwinnett’s central business district by strengthening the area’s role as the center of commercial and social activity.
Gwinnett Village CID
In the shadows of Gwinnett’s landmark “Success Lives Here” water towers, the Gwinnett Village CID is the new kid on the block with its recent formation in the early part of 2006 as Gwinnett’s third CID. Gwinnett Village has the unique designation as Metro-Atlanta’s largest CID with a massive 480 property owners included. Centered around Jimmy Carter Boulevard, community leaders in the Norcross/Lilburn area formed this CID with the specific intent to change the perception of the area by addressing crime and traffic issues in the area.
The Board of Directors for Gwinnett Village recently completed a study of crime in the area by New York based, The Crime Fighters. Implementation of several strategies of the study are currently being evaluated and should be in place by early 2007. A highlight to one of the initiatives includes an off duty police force called Village Blue that will visit each business and property with the specific intent to meet face to face and discuss with employees any security concerns in the area. The Village Blue police force will be staffed by off duty City of Norcross and Gwinnett County Police officers and will be paid exclusively by the CID.
In early 2007, Gwinnett Village will begin a massive landscaping project of the three interchanges along I-85 at Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Indian Trail Road, and Beaver Ruin Road. This project coupled with the possible replacement of the Jimmy Carter Bridge with an expanded “Gateway” type feature will provide a welcome mat for thriving business not only to Gwinnett Village, but also to the entire County.
Quick Facts
www.GwinnettVillage.com
MISSION: Increase property values,
promote business development, and
improve the quality of life for all those
who live, work, and play in the village.
Accent Gwinnett has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by error or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. Advertising in Accent Gwinnett is not linked in any way to the selection of doctors in this issue or any future issues. Any information provided is not a substitute for the professional judgment of a qualified heath care provider based upon actual examination of a patient’s condition and history.
