Work underway on Suwanee I-85 landscaping

By Keith Farner (784)
keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com

Saturday, November 17, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

SUWANEE -- The start of a long-awaited project near the interchange of Interstate 85 began this week.

A landscaping and hardscaping project that was planned more than three years ago -- before the Service Delivery dispute with Gwinnett County began -- had its first signs of progress this week. The project is around the I-85 interchange along Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road from the new police substation to Sawmill Road.

Suwanee city officials hope the project conveys a more positive image of the Gateway area that has been home to several closed businesses and crime activity in recent years.

In August, the Council awarded a contract to the Brickman Group of Lawrenceville for $285,845, which includes installation and one year of maintenance.

The project will have 11 small plazas near the corners of the interchanges and northbound and southbound ramps from I-85 to Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. There will also be three plazas where Sawmill Road meets Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee Planning Director Josh Campbell said, and a variety of benches and trash cans. The landscaping will include 250 trees, about 6,100 shrubs and some sodded areas.

The project comes within months of the city unveiling a police substation and training facility in the area, construction of an Ultra Car Wash is under way and a rezoning request was recently approved for a self-storage facility.

"We're starting to get a little momentum, and money invested in the area," Campbell said after the Council awarded the contract. "The economy overall is picking up, and we're seeing that things are happening. We wanted to contribute."

The Gateway area has long been a priority for city officials. And during the city's 20/20 strategic vision discussions, city residents also pegged it as the top goal for planning, and how the residents want the city to grow.

The project is expected to be completed in the next six weeks, and will include some restriping of crosswalks and repair of broken sidewalks in the area. Lane closures are not anticipated.

More like this story

I-85 landscape project gets long-awaited green light ( September 2, 2012 )
Suwanee to build substation ( May 24, 2011 )
Suwanee Council tables rezoning proposal to improve Gateway ( September 25, 2012 )
Suwanee Council casts rare non-unanimous vote in rezoning request ( September 29, 2012 )
Suwanee approves police substation contractor ( November 30, 2011 )

JohnGalt 6 months ago

Yeah, here is what I had to say about it the last time you published an article on it Keith!

Yes, the residents of Gwinnett County should be so pleased. What the H-E-Double-L do we need with 11 small plazas near the corners of the interchanges and north bound and south bound ramps from I-85 to Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road? And the three plazas where Sawmill Road meets Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road for a variety of benches and trash cans? Are you kidding me? For what? For people to have a place to hang out after purchasing their booze from the adjacent liquor store? Or to rest after they finish their shopping spree across the bridge at the sex toy store? $285,845 for this crap, and you wonder why the people of Gwinnett County are fed up! Don't get me wrong; I don't have a problem dressing up the interchange a little bit, but this is beyond ridiculous. LOL, idiocy certainly has no boundaries with you people does it? Perhaps you could provide a booth staffed with government employees to act as a drive thru for these two businesses before they get on the interstate and drive down our government provide HOT lanes!

Mack711 6 months ago

At a time when all of us are watching our budgets and trying to make our money last in order to have some what of a decent life along comes this project. We need to forget about this project and take the funds that will be wasted on this project and give the taxpayer a cut on their taxes. It is nice to have an area like this but try to find some one who can afford this or a garden group to do it at no expense to the taxpayer. Has anyone figured out how much tax money will be spent to maintain this area, probably not. Most of all on the next election vote all these that voted for it OUT and get some one who can account for our taxes in a more productive manner. Who will notice this while driving at 70MPH, NO ONE. Stupid idea from the get go. Just like the idea for the bridges on I-85 in Gwinnett. Stop wasting our tax money on useless projects like this one.

CD 6 months ago

Should the bushes grow tall enough, the SPD can hide out while waiting on those making a right-hand turn to get on 85N. Don't forget to come to a complete stop and use that blinker when the light is red.

citized 6 months ago

I will use my turn signal when the cops START using theirs. I do have a list of offenders for when I protest ticket. Times, dates, location, and car numbers

Erk 6 months ago

Why doesn't Suwanee just buy the Chevron station on the corner of Larryville-Suwanee Rd.and I-85 This is the revenue generating ticket writing spot where the victims pull into. The constant flashing blue lights in their parking lot can't be helping the store's biz. At least pay them rent for the lot.

SuxBeanU 6 months ago

Is this the only way to keep the illegals working?

CD 6 months ago

I enjoyed the suggestions of a previous poster regarding the SPD and citizens driving through Suwanee (different news story) and have incorporated a few more:

set cruise control to 35 MPH
Cut all lights on--exterior and interior
roll all windows down both hands on steering wheel smile

The sad thing is that the behavior of the SPD does in fact impact revenues of the businesses in the area.

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