Peachtree Corners Gateway Sign Gets New Lighting, Landscaping

The City of Peachtree Corners’ iconic gateway sign now has new lighting and enhanced landscaping. The stone-based sign that sits at the Peachtree Parkway-Peachtree Industrial Boulevard split was erected in 2008 by the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association.

Some 55 native trees, shrubs and lighting were added in recent months making the city’s only gateway sign more visible to northbound motorists driving along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard before it splits off to S.R. 141.

“We are delighted to see the enhancements to this very important feature of the city,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “We want to thank UPCCA for constructing and lighting the sign and the State for their landscaping grant. The new lighting and landscaping greatly enhance the original sign.”

The landscaping design includes a row of trees planted in advance of the sign to provide a visual cue that something lies ahead at the end of the row. Ground cover in front of the trees as well as Cherry and Red Bud trees behind the sign adds color to the low-profile sign. In the evening motorists will notice the row of trees are up lighted and soft lighting illuminates the sign.

United Peachtree Corners Civic Association’s Peachtree Parkway Improvement Project funded the lighting of the sign and a Georgia Department of Transportation grant of $50,000 helped fund the $70,667.35 total cost of the project.

“Getting lighting to the sign has always been a dream ever since it was built,” recalled Debbie Mason, who was the driving force in getting electricity to the sign and chaired the Committee that funded the beautification of Peachtree Parkway until the City took it over in November, 2014. “We’re proud that UPCCA’s efforts have paid off. The sign looks wonderful.”

The UPPCA paid for the gateway sign which cost over $40,000 to build through donations and fundraising efforts.

The sign bears the name of Paul Duke, who envisioned a live, work, play community. Technology Park, a campus of low-rise office buildings for high-technology industries sprung from that vision followed by numerous Peachtree Corners neighborhoods.

And a half century later after Paul Duke launched his plans for the new community, Peachtree Corners became a city incorporating on July 1, 2012 as Gwinnett County’s newest and largest with over 38,500 residents.

Photo by Jonathan Phillips