City opens visioning sessions with SGHS meeting

City opens visioning sessions with SGHS meeting

SNELLVILLE – City leaders and residents gathered Thursday at South Gwinnett High School to share their vision of the future.

Jon Cates told city officials he wants to see a cultural center and theater in Snellville.

The meeting was the first of three visioning sessions scheduled by the now vacant Urban Redevelopment Agency to get input of the city’s Towne Center plan and the future of the city in general.

Two more meetings are scheduled: the first from 6 to 8 p.m., March 12 in the Brookwood High School cafeteria, 1255 Dogwood Road; and the second from 6 to 8 p.m., March 19 at the Briscoe Park offices, 2500 Sawyer Parkway in the Betty McMichael Room.

Jon Cates, who is also a member of the Snellville Arts Commission, said he was interested in seeing a theater and cultural center, possibly in the now-vacant Hobby Lobby at Wisteria Drive and Highway 78.

“It would be a dream come true,” he said.

Cates joined others as they were asked to write on easels calling for input into the future of the city. Some called for a wireless community, others focused on transportation issues like a trolley system and traffic.

Below Left: Snellville Economic Development Manager Eric Van Otteren leads discussion at the first of three visioning meeting for the city.

Below Right: Councilwoman Diane Krause and Downtown Development Chairman Buddy Scott take a look at mixed-use development models at Thursday’s meeting.

As was the case for part of Thursday’s meeting, the next two events will concentrate on the 2011 Towne Center Plan, the recently announced Wisteria Pop-up Marketplace and community unity concept “Generation Merge” which calls for all residents to work together to make Snellville a better place. Discussion topics may also include the city’s housing options, retail development, transportation and business issues.