State of the City: Peachtree Corners Mayor Highlights Successes, Future Plans

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Submitted by City of Peachtree Corners

Nearly 150 people came to hear Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason deliver his annual address on the state of the city Friday morning.

Residents, businessmen, state and county leaders filled the Marriott’s ballroom to learn just how this three-year-old city is faring and its plans for the future.

From all accounts, Gwinnett’s newest city has bounded out of the gates since incorporating in July 2012.

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Building permits have doubled from 2013 (637 permits) to 2014 (1,218 permits) and 2015 is on track to succeed last year’s number.

The unemployment rate in Peachtree Corners is second lowest in all of Georgia (for cities with populations of 25,000 or more), office and retail vacancy rates are declining.

Office vacancy rate was 19.2 percent in the first quarter of 2014, compared to 16.3 percent for the same period in 2015. And the vacancy rate for retail was 16.3 percent in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 13.6 percent for the first quarter of 2015.

And the city is on track to create a business incubator which will further enhance the city’s economic development. After an impressive number of people turned out for the kick-off event in May and following a Georgia Tech readiness study, Peachtree Corners is poised to launch an incubator to support entrepreneurs in their endeavors.

“We had an incredible turnout from the business community,” said Mayor Mason. “We teamed up with Georgia Tech’s incubator folks who were expecting about 50 and we had well over 200.”

The mayor highlighted some of the past year’s accomplishments:

• The city held its first election
• Supported a crime-free multi-family housing initiative
• Adopted zero millage rate again this year
• Approved gateway monument signs
• Adopted Livable Centers Initiative plan identifying the city’s central business district
• Approved Town Center development
• Approved a resolution to accept Georgia Tech’s community readiness assessment study
• Established a veteran’s memorial committee
• Approved Winters Chapel corridor improvement plan
• Added public works to manage SPLOST construction projects
• Supported the county in its purchase of Simpsonwood property by contributing $2 million

For the city’s future plans, the mayor listed:

• Partner with Georgia Tech’s ATDC to provide program management for the city’s business incubator
• Strive to bring higher education to complement the city’s high schools
• Add housing options for millennials and empty nesters
• Study ways to improve Holcomb Bridge Road corridor to revive and redevelop the area  Improve traffic and transportation throughout the city

And lastly, the mayor pointed to creating a city that’s “unique, interesting and welcoming.”

He asked everyone to “visualize crossing from The Forum to the Town Center on a unique, iconic pedestrian bridge over S.R. 141” and seeing it open onto walking trails along a creek, botanical gardens and an amphitheater, or walking along trails that interconnect with the other trails that crisscross the city.

“It’s not that hard to imagine, nor, at all unattainable, especially if we share the same vision,” said the mayor.

Photos: City of Peachtree Corners