Main Street Relocation Project Gets Extra SPLOST Funding
Thanks to a reallocation of funds from the Lilburn CID, the total SPLOST contribution is now $809,000.
The Gwinnett County board of commissioners approved an agreement Tuesday with the city of Lilburn to provide additional funding for the Main Street relocation project.
The additional funding amounts to $164,000, which is coming from a reallocation of SPLOST dollars from the Lilburn Community Improvement District. Recently, the county asked all of the community improvement districts to consider such changes to help projects that were "shovel-ready."
In 2011, Gwinnett County provided an initial SPLOST sales tax allocation of approximately $645,000 for construction of the Main Street project. With the additional Lilburn CID reallocation, the total SPLOST contribution is now $809,000.
-- Do you think the Main Street realignment project is a good idea for Lilburn? Let us know in the comment section. --
The Lilburn CID also obtained a grant from the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) for $800,000 toward the project. The city will cover all costs above these amounts.
"This is a wonderful example of intergovernmental cooperation that will benefit the community in a very real way," said District 2 Commissioner Lynette Howard. "Gwinnett County, the city of Lilburn and the Lilburn Community Improvement District (CID) have worked together to move this great project forward, and I look forward to many other successes like this one.
"I’d like to especially recognize Mayor Johnny Crist and Lilburn CID Executive Director Gerald McDowell for their efforts on this project."
When complete, the project will improve safety by relocating Main Street at U.S. Highway 29, replacing the current skewed intersection with a more perpendicular intersection of the two roads.
The relocated Main Street also will create a better intersection with Church Street that includes turn lanes and traffic circles to allow for better access for Lilburn residents to the proposed Lilburn City Hall and library. The project will tie back into existing Main Street near its intersection with Young Street, and the old Main Street road bed will be removed.
The traffic circles will provide traffic calming for the area, while lowering Church Street will improve visibility for drivers. The city provided engineering, environmental permitting and land acquisition, and the county will construct the job.
Construction is expected to begin this summer and should be completed by mid-2014.
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RL
8:02 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
This project is unnecessary.
The new city hall is not necessary.
I find it amusing the political leaders of Lilburn want to add government infrastructure to a town that has added population in a decade. Check the census data. Also, check on the # of Lilburn employees in 2000 vs. 2010.
They are doing what politicians and bureaucrats love to do - grow government.
Keeps them in a job.
RL
8:03 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I should have said - "to a town that has not added population in a decade"
My bad
What?!
8:57 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Remember everybody, splost was sold to us as a way to update and expand our schools. I never heard anyone sell it as a way to build city halls and reroute roads for city halls. The Lilubrn politicians are doing this because they have city hall envy, no other reason.
Greg Mack
12:48 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
There are 2 different SPLOST, one for Gwinnett County and one for Gwinnett County Schools - this money is coming from Gwinnett County which is for roads, re-surfacing, sidewalks, and other transportation related projects - this is appropriate use of the Gwinnett County SPLOST funds - also, if this money was not directed to this project, it would have gone to another city and/or community, so at least we have projects on the table that can receive funding that we all are paying via sales tax.
Kathy Kruger
10:17 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I agree with all that is said above. Also, how about trying to fill up some of the space in Lilburn with interesting businesses and restaurants? Consignment store row, which also open and close every few months. Look at Norcross, all kinds of cool businesses and eateries. The city hall is fine. Very disappointing. Put money where it is needed to increase business in the area.
Ashley Wood
12:08 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Totally unnecessary, our splost money and tax dollars should be used in ways that benefit the community. This is an outrageous proposal. I totally agree with all the comments above!
Greg Mack
12:52 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
There are two sides to the coin - private and public - I've gone to Board of Commissioner meetings and Gwinnett Chamber meetings as well as Lilburn council meetings - in order for Lilburn to get private investments for more/better restaurants and shopping and other projects, the public side of the coin has to create an environment that supports these and that is not what we have in Lilburn...we have what we have because of how things were done previously - we have to change that and these projects represent a change in Lilburn that will attract new private investments in our community.
PH
6:31 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
This supposed upgrading will not bring in any new business along Main Street, which is mainly a residential area. I see the only people benefiting from this is the Baptist Church and whoever is getting paid to do this job. Lawrenceville Highway is what needs to be updated to get rid of pawn shops, thrift shops, empty strip malls, etc. The City Hall is not that old, and for the size of the Town of Lilburn, I see no reason to build a new one. Lilburn has more policemen and cars per person that the whole Gwinnett County per person.
Greg Mack
6:21 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Stop by the City Hall and take a look at the entire plan - also, The Lilburn CID held two public meetings over the last week and reviewed plans that will enhance Lawrenceville Hwy from Rockbridge all the way to Reagan (this is 4 or 5 miles) and they indicated this is part of Phase 1 - Phase two is from Rockbridge to JImmy Carter - I encourage everyone to check with the City and the CID and look at the plans and give your public input (I did).
John Henderson
5:34 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
The mayor does most want all the noise of city hall across the street from his house.
What?!
9:46 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
A new city hall, 10' wide paths along hwy 29 and murals and statues won't bring businesses to Lilburn. Just shows we have tax and spend "Republicans" in Lilburn government. Talk to the commercial real estate people, they will tell you why business don't come to Lilburn. It's simple, population density, income levels, current economic climate and rising crime. If you don't believe crime is on the rise in Lilburn, just check the reports from the Patch.
RL
9:52 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
What?!
I don't think party affiliation has anything to do with this.
It is all about government that knows what is best for us.
I think you were right in your earlier post - city hall envy.
Man, look at Suwanee, Duluth, Norcross, Sugar Hill - they all have these cool looking edifices to the bureaucrat. We need that in Lilburn, doggone it!
What?!
8:45 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
RL
The point of the Republicans in quotes was that Republicans are supposed to be for low taxes and conservative fiscal policy. Nothing conservative about spending the citizens hard earned tax money on "'art", under the quise that it will bring in business. They ran as Repbulicans, but just don't act like Republicans. How about sending the money to be spent on "art", back to the people who worked hard to earn it and let them use it for what is best for their families. That is what a true Republican would do.
John Henderson
5:33 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Total waste of money by the Crist administration ... none of which addresses encouraging and promoting a vibrant Main Street. Empty store fronts and No foot traffic make Main Street a private enclave for Mayor Crist and his family who live a block off it.