On Thursday, Chairman Nicole Hendrickson (left) gave the 2023 State of the County address. While the address was timed right on the deadline for GwinnettForum, here are the chairman’s complete remarks, which you can read by CLICKING HERE.
In the initial portion of her talk, she said: “When I first took this stage three years ago, I stood here with profound optimism for a Gwinnett that would not only withstand, but also grow, through whatever came next. Today I can confidently say that the state of Gwinnett County is stronger than ever.”
County adopts two plans to improve Gwinnett Place Mall area
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners today adopted a Gwinnett Place Mall Site Revitalization Strategy that focuses on housing, mobility and greenspace.
This decision follows two separate, public-input-intensive studies of the Gwinnett Place Mall area and its potential redevelopment. The first, now known as the Equitable Redevelopment Plan to Reclaim Gwinnett Place Mall and adopted by the board last August, was created through a series of community-driven feedback sessions to ensure local voices were heard. Residents requested housing, small businesses, cultural activity center, neighborhood services and jobs.
The second study – a partnership between Gwinnett County, the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District and the Atlanta Regional Commission through their Livable Centers Initiative program to develop a revitalization strategy – includes the surveys of more than 6,000 community members and in-depth market analyses. The result is a redevelopment action plan for transforming the area into a concept called the Global Villages, which comprises seven different villages surrounding a central park.
The Gwinnett Place Mall Site Revitalization Strategy includes an action plan for the redevelopment, which is expected to take place over the next 20 years.
The resulting Global Villages is predominantly residential with modest amounts of new retail and office with an international culture and community center and central park space at the core. The Global Villages design will include:
- Residential: 2,700 – 3,800 new units;
- Retail (new): 55,000 square feet;
- Commercial (office): 50,000 square feet;
- Cultural center: 50,000 square feet; and
- Parks: 12.7 acres.
Hudgens accepting entries for biennial juried cup show
Cup by Martha Grover
The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning is now accepting entries for our fifth Biennial National Juried Cup Show.
Artist Martha Grover of Bethel, Maine will adjudicate submitted works for inclusion in this exhibition, as well as select a Juror’s Choice Award, three Honorable Mentions, and three Purchase Prizes. She creates thrown and altered porcelain pieces.
The entries are open to all artists working in clay, age 18 years and older and living in the United States. Each artist may submit up to five original works, completed within the last two years. Drinking vessels (cups, mugs, tankards, tumblers, goblets, tea bowls, etc.) must be made primarily from clay. Work may not exceed the dimensions of length, 6”; width, 6”; and height, 8” (including handle) or weigh over two pounds. Entry fee is $25 for up to five entries.
This is a national competitive juried show. Not all entries will be selected for inclusion in the exhibition. All submissions must be done via SlideRoom.
- Online Application Closes March 24, 2023. If there are questions, contact Hudgens Center Public Programs Manager Kate Driscoll at kdriscoll@thehudgens.org.
Braselton Citizen’s Academy will begin in April
The Town of Braselton Government Citizen’s Academy Program is a unique opportunity for residents to develop a better understanding about the Town of Braselton Government. Each month covers a different topic related to Town service provision.
The Citizens Academy begins in April and is held for seven months on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. (except October which goes until 10 p.m.) Applicants must agree to attend all seven sessions. There are also extracurricular activities such as a trolley tour of town and ride-alongs with the BPD.
- Space is limited to the first 10 qualified applicants and the classes fill quickly, so don’t delay. More information is available by clicking here: application.
GGC’s Super Saturday STEM program aims at 6th graders
Eleanor Ryall and Layla Henderson experiment in Super Saturday Series.
With the rising demand for workers in STEM-related fields, a Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) program is working to attract younger generations to STEM careers.
GGC partners with local schools to offer its Super Saturday Series, which provides middle school students hands-on experience in biology, chemistry, exercise science and information technology, through participation in activities presented by GGC’s faculty, staff and student volunteers.
GGC initially focused on female students when it began the Super Saturday Series in 2011 as a way to break preconceptions and to increase the number of women interested in pursuing STEM careers. But in recent years, organizers expanded the program to include all middle schoolers.
Led by GGC faculty, Dr. Cindy Robertson, associate professor of information technology (IT) and Dr. Rebecca Kalman, associate professor of chemistry, the series is a low-cost program available year-round to sixth through eighth graders.
Dr. Robertson says: “We have watched hundreds of students enjoy the educational and engaging experiences our GGC professors and students provide at the Super Saturday Series.”
Dr. Kalman adds: “Being able to attract a future generation to a career in STEM by introducing them to fun STEM activities is one of the most rewarding parts of our job.”.
Dr. Rahaf Barakat, associate professor of IT at GGC and a Super Saturday Series organizer, says the event is worth the enormous effort it takes to coordinate it.
“The one thing I keep in mind is the light at the end of the tunnel — the light I see in the children’s eyes when they explore new things.”
Duluth and Suwanee win honors at Southeast Festivals
Two Gwinnett cities have won honors in the Southeast Festivals and Events Association (SFEA). Suwanee and Duluth were recognized on February 21 at a conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Both won five awards.
Kim Towne and Andy Doherty of Suwanee show awards from the Southeastern Festivals Association presentation recently in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The City of Suwanee took home five awards, including:
- Best Event Video (Gold) – Suwanee Running Series;
- Best Photo Op (Gold) – Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest;
- Best Photo (Silver) – Glow in the Park + Atlanta International Night Market;
Best Event Over $75,000 (Bronze) – Suwanee Fest; and - Best Children’s Event (Bronze) – Suwanee Fest.
The City of Duluth was awarded five awards, including:
- Best Event Within an Event (Gold) : Fridays-N-Duluth’s 90’s Night;
- Best Virtual Event Gold): Connect Duluth;
- Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Initiative (Silver): International Night;
- Best Mascot (Bronze): Dee Dee; and
- Best Photo-Op (Bronze): Fridays-N-Duluth’s Whimsical Wonderland.
Designed to recognize the marketing, programming, and overall event, the SFEA Kaleidoscope Awards acknowledge the highest level of achievement in the festival and event industry throughout the southeast United States. Festivals and events from five states are recognized for originality, creativity, media impact, volunteer programs, and the overall impact to the community.
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