Peachtree Corners Business Owners See Benefit to Cityhood

For residents the dispute between pro-city and those against Peachtree Corners incorporation is ongoing. But a number of business owners welcome the idea of cityhood.

Paul Duke's development has long been considered a step up in terms of overall image for both home values and for businesses. For a number of business owners being a part of Peachtree Corners is just plain good for their bottom line.

Rob Harris, owner and operator of , located on the west side of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, said he in favor of being part of the city of Peachtree Corners. The additional city tax would easily be offset by the image of the Peachtree Corners name he says.

"We would be excited about the formation of Peachtree Corners," said Harris. "The gallery would benefit as the shopping and restaurants in the area help add to the excitement and energy that other cities in the north Atlanta area have experienced.

"The overall balance and geography of the city would be unique and help in the promotion of the area for future positive type growth."

DE Fine Arts is a family-owned business that sells original European art. The gallery, which is open to the public, features works of art from 35-40 different artists including paintings and sculptures which range in price from the mid thousands to $100,000.

For many businesses, image is a big part of who they are in terms of quality of both products and services provided.

Dan Meehan, , is based in Peachtree Corners, however, his website lists Norcross. A long-time resident of the community, Meehan says he'll quickly change the information on his website if the referendum is passed in November.

The reason, it's just good for business says Meehan who provides from Dunwoody to Suwanee.

But it's not just about generating revenues that Peachtree Corners businesses would profit from, it's an intangible element that being part of a city would bring points out one long-time business owner.

"I think [cityhood] would enhance a sense of community and bring everyone together, both residents and businesses," said Ron Murray, owner of which is located at The Forum.

"Being a part of a city means we're no longer in no-man's land, we can take pride in being part of a city," said Murray who has operated his restaurant in the same location for the past nine years.

And what about the additional taxes that would come with cityhood? "That's just the cost of doing business," replied Murray, who added that the additional tax burden would easily pay for itself.

According to Gwinnett County's records there are nearly 2,000 businesses within the proposed borders of the city of Peachtree Corners.

• 1,255 commercially located businesses
• 568 home-based businesses
• 81 establishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverage
• 29 restaurants with mixed drink sales
• 12 hotels
• In Technology Park alone there are some 130 businesses

But there are some businesses, particularly those with tax exempt status, that would not be impacted by an increase in taxes.

's head master, Zack Young, said because of its non-profit/tax exempt status, the issue of an additional tax burden is not a concern. The school, situated on 53 acres opened its Peachtree Corners campus in 1996.

The majority of its 1,000 students enrolled at the school come from a 5-mile radius west of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard which means a good number of its students live in Peachtree Corners.

"We would not mind at all in being part of Peachtree Corners," said Young who added the school is pleased that Gwinnett County's police and fire departments would continue providing service to the new city.