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Snellville creates public-private partnership with CASTO and MidCity to develop 'The Grove at Towne Center'

SNELLVILLE – Mayor Barbara Bender is proud to announce an agreement has been reached with a development team to build the first phase of the city's highly anticipated The Grove at Towne Center.

The project's $85 million first phase will commence construction in 2020 and begin to deliver in 2021. The project will include multiple private and public buildings to be developed through a public-private partnership.

The project will be led by CASTO, one of the country's leading commercial real estate companies, along with Atlanta based development partner MidCity Real Estate Partners, in a joint venture with the City of Snellville. The Grove at Towne Center, will be a large scale, mixed-use town center property, comprising 18 total acres between Oak Road, North Road, Clower Street and both sides of Wisteria Drive, in downtown Snellville. The Grove at Towne Center's first phase will include over 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office and entertainment space, and approximately 250 multi-family luxury apartments. In addition, the new Elizabeth Williams Library will be constructed and include a second-floor community/incubator/education space.

The city and Gwinnett County previously entered into an intergovernmental agreement to build the library and parking for library patrons.

The Grove at Towne Center will be a walkable, destination space that will feature inviting restaurants, entertainment and retail spaces that will serve as key amenities for office users, residents and visitors. Shared use paths for pedestrians and cyclists will be located throughout the development, connecting the various components of the master planned project and the surrounding neighborhoods via the Snellville Greenway.

"This project is a major piece in our goal to create great places to live, play, work, learn and shop in Snellville," said Mayor Barbara Bender. "The Grove at Towne Center's design and its connections to existing parks via greenways and neighborhoods will be a wonderful place where community and commerce meet."

The Market Center building will be a unique anchor of the project. CASTO and MidCity are working with the city to customize the overall design and uses within the building. Early ideas include a brew pub on the first floor and upscale event space on the second floor. The Grove Apartments will provide residents upscale urban living in the heart of The Grove with designer finishes and will include amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center, pool, grilling area, parking deck and business center. The Commons area will allow the city to host many of the community's wonderful festivals and activities in one centrally located space.

"Our goal is to create a very unique shopping, entertainment and living experience with something for every age group to enjoy," stated Shannon Dixon, EVP of Southeast Development for CASTO. "Mayor Bender and the city staff have been incredible to work with, as we have collaborated on a unique deal structure that will provide the city one of the most well-positioned master plans in terms of visibility, accessibility and proximity to on-site and nearby amenities."

The first phase of construction of The Grove at Towne Center project will include relocation of the city's U.S. Post Office, expected to occur in early 2020 with a groundbreaking on the project anticipated for the summer of 2020.

"We are looking forward to our partnership with the city and county to deliver The Grove at Towne Center," said Kirk Demetrops, president of MidCity. "These types of projects have a tremendous impact on the quality of life and provide a real sense of community. We believe The Grove will be a destination point for the city for decades to come."

For more information and updates on the Grove at Towne Center project visit www.snellville.org/the-towne-center-snellville.

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Election 2019 qualified candidates

SNELLVILLE - There will be an election for City Council Nov. 5 after six candidates qualified for two seats.

Mayor Barbara Bender was not challenged.

Those who qualified are:
(I) Denotes incumbent
Mayor
Barbara Bender (I)
No opponent
Post 1
Dave Emanuel (I)
Cortez Riden
Post 2
Wanda Blow
Solange Destang
Brittany Marmol
Thomas S. Mwambay
(Incumbent Roger Marmol did not seek re-election.)

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City officials still looking for input on T.W. Briscoe Park; second meeting next month

SNELLVILLE – City officials are still looking for residents' input on what they'd like to see at T.W. Briscoe Park following the first of two meetings regarding the park's Master Plan update.

More than two dozen attendees of the first meeting Aug. 15 had an opportunity to pick five items or improvements they'd like to see at the park – a gymnasium, hiking trails, splash pad and indoor meeting rooms were the top picks. The forums are designed to identify the needs of the community as part of Phase III of the park's Master Plan update.

The second public hearing will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at City Hall, 2342 Oak Road.

"This information will be noted and the comments made on the three possible (community building) design layouts will also be noted," said Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Platt. "We will probably make a few adjustments based on this meeting feedback and put it out to those that come to the September meeting to get even more feedback. Once we get feedback from the September meeting we will buckle down and try to get a more specific building design and items that are of high priority onto an actual design board showing all of the park and possible new additions."

After the designs and specific items are determined, the Park Advisory Board then the Mayor and Council must approve the proposals and then funding sources must be determined.

"We want residents to come to the Sept. 19 meeting and let us know what they see at the park," Platt said. "We depend on residents' input to make these changes. If you'd like to see something at the park, please attend the meeting and let us know."

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BID (PW190807SW) FORCONTRACT FOR REPAIR OF STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

NOTICE OF BID (PW190807SW) FOR CONTRACT FOR REPAIR OF STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

The City of Snellville (City) is soliciting competitive sealed bids from qualified contractors to provide all
labor and materials required for the Repair of Storm Water Drainage Systems and related infrastructure,
including pipe of various sizes and materials, catch basins, headwalls, curb and road restoration, erosion
controls, seeding/sodding, rip rap, etc, with related tie-ins and appurtenances at eleven (11) locations
within the city limits of Snellville, Georgia 30078.

For more information please visit our bid page.

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Citizens' Police Academy accepting applications for fall session

SNELLVILLE – The Snellville Citizens' Police Academy is accepting applicants for its 28th session.

The class is offered "in order to strengthen the bond of friendship and cooperation between our citizens and our police department," Lt. Rob Pendleton said. "This will also help our citizens gain a better understanding of the risks and responsibilities of our officers."

The class takes place over 12 weeks beginning on Aug. 29 and ends Nov. 14. The first class will be at 6 p.m. at the Snellville Police Department, 2315 Wisteria Drive. Some of the classes included in this training will be Domestic Violence, Traffic Stops, Building Searches, a Tour of the Gwinnett County Jail and Narcotics Identification. The program also includes a ride along with a Snellville police officer.

This program is open to all Snellville area residents, 18 years and older. CPA is free and attendees do not have to live in the city limits. A background investigation will be conducted on all applicants prior to acceptance.

Applications must be returned no later than 5 p.m. Aug. 23 and must be notarized.

Applications can be found here: hwww.snellville.org/Data/Sites/1/media/police/scpa-application---revised.pdf

For more information contact Pendleton at 770-985-3573 or rpendleton@snellville.org.

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Public Works takes on under the radar projects, often under the street

Public Works crews use an underground camera to look at the condition of a stormwater pipe.

SNELLVILLE – Residents may not always see all the work the city's Public Works Department does. That's because much of it is underground and done before issues become visible.

During the 2018-2019 fiscal budget year, Public Works crews took on four emergency projects totaling $172,516. Though these projects may not be seen on the surface, they saved streets from collapsing and stormwater infrastructure from failing, potential woes city officials are eager to prevent.

"People should know, while the consequences of these issues are not dire, certainly the fixes helped prevent potential injury and damage to homes and vehicles in the street," said City Manager Butch Sanders.

Public Works' largest emergency repair last fiscal year took place on Bennett Ridge where a hole more than 7-feet wide and 8-feet deep opened up. A sinkhole arises when pipes, some of which can be more than 50 years old, are badly deteriorated. When water pressure increases during a storm in the pipes, rainwater siphons dirt into the pipe, wearing it away, according to Allan Snipes, assistant director of Snellville Public Works. The hole, which was big enough to swallow a car, took two weeks to repair.

This fiscal year, which started July 1, Public Works is taking on 11 capital projects totaling $762,000. Stormwater projects are expected on Greenturf Drive, Classic Drive, Summit Chase Drive, Valley View, Harbor Oak Drive, Riverbend Drive, Grand Central and Classic Drive.

Also during this fiscal year, Public Works is slated to spend $696,000 on 2.96 miles of resurfacing on 15 city streets. Along with city funds, these projects will be paid for with state Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant monies and Special Local Option Sales Tax funds. The streets include Scenic Drive, Lanier Drive, Lanier Way, Vail Valley Court, Aspen Ridge Court, Heavenly Lane, Beaver Creek Lane, Brooks Court, Valley Drive, Valley Way, Twin Springs Drive, Deer Valley Court, Summit Turf, Timberline Trace and Zermatt Way.

For more information on the Public Works Department visit www.snellville.org/public-works

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2019 Public Notice of the Qualifying Period for the Municipal General Election

Public Notice
2019 PUBLIC NOTICE QUALIFYING PERIOD FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTION CITY OF SNELLVILLE, GEORGIA

Notice is hereby given that the City of Snellville will hold a General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 for the purpose of electing a Mayor and two (2) members of Council. The posts to be voted on are the Mayor and Council Post 1, and Post 2. The qualifying period for candidates opens Monday, August 19, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. and closes on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. The hours of qualifying each day shall be from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Any person desiring to run for office shall qualify in the office of the City Clerk by filing a Notice of Candidacy. The qualifying fee for fee for the Mayor is $360.00 (three hundred and sixty dollars) and for a council post it is $240.00 (two hundred forty dollars.) The voter registration deadline is October 7, 2019 for persons to be eligible to vote in the Municipal General Election and, if necessary, Runoff. This election will be held in the Snellville City Hall, located at 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia. The polls will open for the November 5, 2019 General Election at 7:00 a.m. and will close at 7:00 p.m. If no candidate receives a majority vote, then a runoff election will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at the same location.

Filed this 17th day of July, 2019
Melisa Arnold City Clerk
____________________________________________________________________ ________________

NOTA INFORMATIVA PERIODO DE CALIFICACION PARA ELECCION MUNICIPAL CIUDAD DE SNELLVILLE, GEORGIA

Se pone en conocimiento del publico que la Ciudad de Snellville llevara a cabo una Eleccion General el Martes, 5 de Noviembre 2019 para el proposito de elegir un Alcalde y dos (2) miembros de Concejo municipal. Los puestos que seran votados son el Alcalde y Concejo Municipal Puesto 1 y Puesto 2. El periodo de calificacion abre el Lunes, 19 de Agosto 2019 a las 8:30 a.m. y cierra el Miercoles, 21 de Agosto 2019 a las 4:30 p. m. Las horas de calificacion seran cada dia Page 1 Public Notice - Qualifying Gen Election - 2019 de las 8:30 a.m. hasta las 4:30 p.m. Cualquier persona que desea presentarse como candidato debe calificar en la oficina del Secretario Municipal de la Ciudad con un Anuncio de la Candidatura. La tarifa para calificar para el puesto de Alcalde es $360.00 (trescientos sesenta dolares) y para los puestos de Concejo municipal es $240.00 (doscientos cuarenta dolares). La fecha tope para inscripcion de votantes es el 7 de Octubre 2019 para toda la persona elegible para votar en la Eleccion Municipal General y, si es necesario, la segunda vuelta. Esta eleccion se celebrara en el Palacio Municipal de Snellville, localizado en el 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia. Las urnas se abriran para 5 de Noviembre 2019 Eleccion General a las 7:00 a.m. y cierran a las 7:00 p.m. Si ningun candidato recibe el voto mayoritario una segunda vuelta se tomara acabo el Martes, 3 de Diciembre 2019 en el mismo lugar.

Presentado el 17 día de Julio, 2019
Melisa Arnold Secretario Municipal de la Ciudad

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Public meetings looking for input on Briscoe Park improvements

SNELLVILLE – What would make T.W. Briscoe Park better?

City leaders will be looking for your answers to that question at two public meetings as part of Phase III of the T.W. Briscoe Park Master Plan update.

Nearly $4 million was set aside in 2014 Special Local Option Sales Tax funds for renovations, possibly including a multipurpose building.

"A new multipurpose building would give us better ability to provide more diverse programming, better meeting and activity rooms and better offices for efficiency," said Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Platt. "It's about being able to offer more options to visitors to the park. It opens a lot of options we haven't been able to provide."

The first meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at the park office at the park, 2500 Sawyer Parkway. The second meeting is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at City Hall, 2342 Oak Road.

This would be the fourth round of SPLOST improvements at the park. The first three – dubbed Phase I, IIa and IIb – started in 2008 and included additional restrooms, additional sidewalks, a multipurpose field, parking lot improvements and a softball complex.

The meeting is open to the public. Citizen input will help determine the needs of the community which will shape the future use of the park.

For more information call the parks office at 770-985-3535.

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City acquiring Oak Road post office and property, making way for major Towne Center development

SNELLVILLE – The post office will move from its Oak Road location to the former SunTrust building at 2440 Wisteria Drive after the city and the U.S. Postal Service inked a deal Tuesday, in what is being called a "major win" for the city's eagerly anticipated Towne Center project.

"This is a historic day for the City of Snellville," Mayor Barbara Bender said. "We have been working on this deal for at least five years and saw it as a major piece in our goal of creating a Towne Center where residents can live, work, learn and play and making Snellville a destination for visitors. The city would like to thank the USPS for its help in making the Towne Center project a place we can all be proud of."

Mayor and Council approved the purchase of the vacant SunTrust building on Wisteria Drive at a called meeting in May. City leaders feel the access and parking around this building offers a significantly safer situation than the difficult parking and traffic pattern around the existing post office building. Negotiations also highlighted the fact the current post office contains a lot of unneeded space since mail delivery functions have moved to a new facility in Centerville.

Based on this new commitment by USPS, the city has reengaged with a committed developer to finish a development agreement to create the Towne Center on the block between Oak Road, Wisteria Drive, North Road and Clower Street. The Towne Center will provide the city's downtown with residential, educational, commercial and recreational properties surrounding a city market and new Elizabeth Williams Library already greenlighted following a signed agreement with the county last year.

The Towne Center will spur growth in the surrounding areas of the city, as outlined in the recently revised comprehensive plan.

"This is a major win for the Towne Center project," said Economic Development Director Eric Van Otteren. "The post office was one of the last major pieces of property the city needed to acquire to make this dream a reality. Through fruitful discussions with the USPS, we were able to strike a deal which will make room for more quality growth in the Towne Center for decades to come."

The city, through the Downtown Development Authority, purchased the former bank building in June. The post office will be located on the planned Towne Center greenway which will provide a pleasant walking and biking opportunity for Towne Center residents and visitors. City officials anticipate construction to begin on the greenway in early 2020.

The USPS now has 90 days to complete a review of the project which will include a public meeting, the date of which is to be determined. The project will go out to bid in October, according to a project timeline.

For more information and updates on the Towne Center project visit www.snellville.org/the-towne-center-snellville.

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