Open House Shows the Vision of Lilburn CID's Plans for U.S. 29

Envision, if you will, a stretch of mixed-use buildings, upscale shopping and dining and a network of trails that connects walkers, joggers and cyclists to local merchants.

Don’t stop there. How about some nightlife and some cool streetscaping? Quick access to the library? Places to people-watch or just enjoy a sunny day? And don’t forget a water fountain.

Now — this could be the hardest part — put all of that in the heart of Lilburn.

It’s the kind of vision that excites Lilburn Community Improvement District Executive Director Gerald McDowell, especially after his group hosted an open house Thursday night at Providence Christian Academy that unveiled a master plan that could eventually transform the area into a Gwinnett County gem.

Around 30 people attended the CID’s fifth public meeting of its six-month-long Highway 29 Boulevard of Opportunity Study, during which a consultant team presented a final draft of its suggestions on how Lilburn’s main drag can be modernized. The target of the study is a four-mile stretch of Lawrenceville Highway from Rockbridge Road to Ronald Reagan Parkway.

According to the study’s vision statement: “Highway 29 will be the Boulevard of Opportunity, a desirable address that is visually appealing, economically competitive, expansive in the options of shopping and dining, and efficient and safe for motorists and pedestrians.”

McDowell was all smiles Thursday.

“It’s a great night,” he said. “This is going to allow the Greater Lilburn community to rally behind some really excellent planning.”

The master plan for revitalizing the corridor was displayed on easels in the Providence library. On the easels were color-coded maps of the highway broken down into four distinct areas, all connected by style, use and transportation access.

The West focus area (beginning at Rockbridge Road) featured mixed-use/high density development. The Town Center focus area incorporated the city’s plans for a new City Hall and Main Street entrance to downtown with live/work/play amenities. The Central area (in and around the Beaver Ruin Road intersection) concentrated on office and institutional elements, and the East (Pleasant Hill Road to Reagan Parkway) was core commercial.

Lilburn Mayor Diana Preston liked what she saw, especially the Town Center concept, which would connect downtown to the corridor. “It’s neat to see how everything fits together,” she said.

County Commissioner Lynette Howard (District 2) said she recognizes the need for a transformation of the aging thoroughfare. “It’s had a great life, but it’s time for it to have its next life,” she said of the highway. “Master plans are huge for me. This lends itself to a future with a great foundation.”

The Lilburn CID contracted the Atlanta urban architect firm Pond | Ecos to conduct the $120,000 study, $100,000 of which came from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.

Moving forward, Pond | Ecos will finalize the plan before it is sent to the CID, and then to the Atlanta Regional Commission. If the ARC grandfathers the plan in as a Livable Centers Initiative plan, it could mean funding for future projects.

McDowell called the study a “playbook” his group can use to attract developers. “We’re going to hit the ground running,” he said.