The Snellville DDA would like to congratulate Doug Spohn on the groundbreaking of his Wisteria Square project at the intersection of Wisteria Drive and Clower Street. When finished this development will contain retail space, office space, residential units, an urban market, and an old English-style bridge and amphitheater. The DDA recognizes the need for high quality developments in Snellville and is working hard to encourage developments of this high standard and innovation.

For more information, visit the City of Snellville webpage about the Wisteria project.

Wisteria Square Developer Doug Spohn and Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer.

DDA Board Members join in support of Wisteria Square. From left to right are DDA Board Members: Cecil Sellers; Jimmy Norton, Chairman; Nelson Williams; Wisteria Square Developer Doug Spohn; Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer; and Brett Harrell.

For Immediate Release
June 21, 2007
City of Snellville
Contact: Alison Starnes
Economic and Community Development Manager
770-985-3500

Snellville will soon have a new Class-A office and retail development on the south side of Scenic Highway 124. On June 11, 2007, the Snellville City Council unanimously voted to approve zoning for the Boulevards at Scenic, a 7.5-acre mixed-use development featuring retail and office uses. Approximately 24,000 sq ft of retail and 60,000 sq ft of office condo space will be featured at The Boulevards.

The Boulevards is a creation of developer Darren Harper of Boulevards Development Group, LLC. Harper says that he hopes that this project
will be a key element in the redevelopment of Snellville’s downtown district. Snellville is a participant in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) program, a program created in 2000 to assist communities like Snellville in creating and implementing innovative plans for the improvement of their town centers, activity centers, and main corridors. The recently completed City Center complex and mixed-use Town Center that is underway will lend a downtown feeling to an area historically lacking.

Indeed, the development will create a gateway to a newly revitalized downtown district in Snellville, being positioned on the corner of Scenic Highway 124 and Henry Clower Boulevard. Economic and Community Development Manager, Alison Nalley Starnes, states that the project “brings new life to the office professional realm of Snellville.” Starnes believes that the Boulevards features high-quality office space and an “aesthetically pleasing” appearance that goes well with the Town Center’s overall design.

”I’m very pleased with Darren’s enthusiasm about the Boulevards. The project renderings and site plans speak for themselves. Now, we hope to help him fill those office and retail spaces up as quickly as possible,” Starnes states.

Snellville’s Director of Planning and Development, Jessica Roth, AICP, states, “We are pleased to see a development of this caliber locate on Scenic Highway South. Our department looks forward to working with Darren on this important project.”

Snellville Councilperson, Kelly Kautz, seconds the notion that the Boulevards is a great additional to Snellville’s office-professional community. Kautz states that the project “will be a great opportunity for this area of town and hopefully will set the tone for the rest of south Scenic Highway.“ Kautz believes that Harper and his partners seek to offer a product similar to that of the Avenues at Webb Ginn.

“The Boulevards as presented to council,“ says Kautz, “offers everything the city is looking for: upscale brick buildings, great landscaping with abundant open space, it does not intrude on our existing subdivisions and most importantly the interest in the project is high so the building will not be another vacant shopping center.”

“This project will show that Snellville is economically alive and well,” states Councilman and Mayor pro-tempore, Bruce Garraway. “It’s a unique mixed-use project that will anchor the south side of Snellville”, Garraway states. Garraway believes that the project “will reflect one of our community values: quality.”

Images of the Boulevards site plan and frontage.

The Snellville Downtown Development Authority has, for the second year, authorized financial support in the amount of $10,000 to the City of Snellville toward creation of an Economic Development Manager position.

Chairman Jimmy Norton says, “There is no doubt, a full-time economic development manager will speed up the great works already in progress benefiting both business and homeowners. The Snellville Downtown Development Authority is proud to partner with the City of Snellville on vital community goals such as economic development, creation of our Town Center, and downtown revitalization.”

The Snellville Downtown Development Authority is an active participant in community building and revitalization within Snellville’s Town Center. Over the past year, the DDA has supported the City in the successful sale and revitalization of an abandoned 12 acre parcel on U.S. 78, fostered improved community identity with a banner advertising program, secured low interest funding for a local businesses desiring expansion, and supported the City’s designation as a “Signature Community” among other activities.

Additional details about the Snellville DDA are online at http://www.SnellvilleDDA.org.

Representatives of Martin Communities; Jimmy Norton, Chair, Snellville DDA; and Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer.

Jimmy Norton, Chairman of the Snellville Downtown Development Authority, announced today the successful closing of the old Snellville Police Department property. Mr. Norton says, “The DDA exists to serve the City and we are excited to announce the $1.4 million sale of the underutilized City property and the pending $10 million office development by Martin Communities.”

Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer added, “After three unsuccessful attempts to surplus this property through the public auction process, Jimmy Norton and the DDA secured for the City a buyer within 32 days at a price greater than any previous offer.” Oberholtzer continued, “The creation and revitalization of Snellville’s Town Center is advancing at a spectacular pace because of the cooperative effort and strong support of our partners such as the Downtown Development Authority.”

Mr. Norton concluded, “The development of this parcel removes an underutilized eyesore from Snellville, provides immediate and continuing resources to the City that are better invested in other endeavors, and generates jobs, opportunities, and additional interest in downtown Snellville and Hwy 78.”

DDA Chairman Jimmy Norton with Resolution for sale of old P.D. property for $1.4 million.

After three unsuccessful attempts to sell the surplus property through the governmental auction process, the City of Snellville requested the Downtown Development Authority assist in finding a suitable development for the vacant property located on U.S. 78 known as the old Snellville Police Department.

DDA Chairman Jimmy Norton said, “The DDA exists to aid and support the City in preserving a vibrant downtown district. Our Board unanimously agreed to take on this challenge to find a quality buyer/developer for the approximate 12 acres that has been vacant for some years now.”

Norton continued, “The DDA is pleased to report to the City Council that Martin Communities, LLC has offered $1.4 million for the property and intends to develop a four-sided brick office condo project.”

Mr. Norton concluded, “The development of this parcel removes an underutilized eyesore from Snellville, provides immediate and continuing resources to the City that are better invested in other endeavors, and generates jobs, opportunities, and additional interest in downtown Snellville and Hwy 78.”

For more information on this and other available properties in Snellville please click here.

The Snellville Downtown Development Authority was mentioned in an article in the Gwinnett Business Journal recently.

The article discusses the DDA’s work in securing a buyer for Snellville’s old police department property, and it mentions the Authority’s banner program.

The Snellville Downtown Development Authority would like to congratulate Gwinnett County on the groundbreaking of the new Station 12 Fire Department and Tag Office located on Lenora Church Road.