As of Monday, May 7, 2012
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Gwinnett Daily Post
Staff Photo: Jason Braverman City of Lawrenceville officials, including council members Bob Clark, from left, and Marie Beiser, Mayor Judy Johnson, Terra Bullock Winter, who named the park, council member P.K. Martin and Joe Burnett, the director of the Downtown Development Authority break ground on the future home of Lawrenceville Lawn on Monday morning.
LAWRENCEVILLE -- Two hundred years ago, it was the center of Lawrenceville commerce -- the site of mule barns, where animals were kept after bringing goods to the city.
Soon, a dilapidated area between Clayton Street and Jackson Street, just south of Luckie Street, will become a new center for Gwinnett's county seat: The Lawrenceville Lawn.
Officials broke ground Monday on the $4 million project, which will add an amphitheater, a playground and an interactive fountain.
"Today is a day of fulfilling dreams," Councilman Tony Powell said at the ceremony. "Our real roots are here. ... We're going to build a place where we all come together."
The project is several years in the making -- one of the final funding moves of Judy Jordan-Johnson as a councilwoman before she left for her first run for mayor.
The mayor pointed out to the crowd that her wedding rehearsal dinner was at Edge's Cafe, which spent decades on the corner before closing several years ago. The building will be torn down, maybe as soon as next week, to make room for the new greenspace project.
"It's time for it to go," Johnson said.
While people often gather at the nearby Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, leaders are excited to host concerts and movie nights at the new lawn. In fact, a June 2 movie night will be held across the street in anticipation.
"I hope this will be a catalyst, that people will want to come here," said Marie Beiser, a current councilwoman who was a member of the Downtown Development Authority when its members dreamed up the idea.
In addition to the amenities, the project includes work to move the utilities underground for several city blocks, and to extend a portion of the city's Heritage Trail.
"We're going to try to make it an amenity that Lawrenceville can be proud of, because Lawrenceville deserves it," Councilman P.K. Martin said.
Map
Location of Lawrenceville Lawn
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- Norcross councilmen challenged ( August 31, 2012 )
- City panel lauds amphitheater plans ( November 30, 2006 )
- Finer details will determine Lawrenceville outcomes ( October 28, 2010 )
Comments
Rob14 1 year ago
It's amazing to me that we have money for this, but when it comes to our children in school, we cannot provide. The Mountain View cluster schools that my children go to are continuously asking for donations of reams of paper and other supplies because it is not in the schools budget. Where are our priorities?
Rob14 1 year ago
This sounds lovely... but it amazes me how our officials will spend money on something like this and neglect our schools. Both of my children attend schools in the Mountain View cluster. The teachers often ask for donations of reams of paper (and other supplies also) because it is not in the schools budget and they have run out of paper. Sometimes the students can't receive the proper handouts (proper education) due to lack of paper. And our officials want to spend 4 MIL on ANOTHER park. Where are the priorities? Shouldn't they be on our children? Our future depends on our children.
Do we REALLY need this park? Or are we over-spending? Over-dreaming? ... in todays ecomomy? Just some food for thought...
BevL 1 year ago
When I was in high school in the 50's, Edge's Cafe was where the Trailaways Bus Station was located. Lawrenceville Square is such a beautiful place to bring your family and out of town visitors and a short walk to the new Lawrenceville Lawn will be a wonderful addition to the city. Thank you to all who are making this possible.
Rob14 1 year ago
This sounds lovely... but it amazes me how our officials will spend money on something like this and neglect our schools. Both of my children attend schools in the Mountain View cluster. The teachers often ask for donations of reams of paper (and other supplies also) because it is not in the schools budget and they have run out of paper. Sometimes the students can't receive the proper handouts (proper education) due to lack of paper. And our officials want to spend 4 MIL on ANOTHER park. Where are the priorities? Shouldn't they be on our children? Our future depends on our children. Do we REALLY need this park? Or are we over-spending? Over-dreaming? ... in todays ecomomy? Just some food for thought...
ridecss 1 year ago
Rob14 First the County/ City budget is seperate from the school system school budget. Since this is a "CITY" project it in no way would have anything to do with your school in Mountain View, which happens to be a few miles away from Lawrenceville.
Second schools per say ask for these materials for many reasons. One of which may be that your school may have a larger portion of poorer students than other schools. Schools these days tend to treat all children equal and want them all to have the same stuff. So if you can donate then great. If you can't then don't feel like it's your burden.
UBinGwinnett 1 year ago
is there a draw up of what this my look like in relation to Historic Courthouse area? I was just driving through Law'ville town and thought this area has so much potential but it is too compact. Major roads on each side.
CGHSgrad 1 year ago
This is a great idea for Lawrenceville... but where will people park for such an event? Parking is already a nightmare in/around the square... and now we are adding another venue. I hope the City Council has thought through this in detail.
Mack711 1 year ago
They probably have not taken parking into consideration.among other things that go along with the planning of a park.
UBinGwinnett 1 year ago
Who was responsible for approving that monstrosity of a still vacant building across from the Gun Shop? My young child even said that's in a bad spot.
nawggin 1 year ago
I hope big name acts like lil wayne and Pit Bul have concerts at the ampitheater!
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