I-85 Landscaping Project Takes Shape in Suwanee
Work has begun along Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.
Suwanee officials have begun another project that is designed to improve the Gateway area near I-85.
Workers recently began a landscaping effort along Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road near Exit 117 that will include trees and streetscaping. The project runs from Sawmill Drive to the new police substation just south of I-85, according to a city news release.
Eleven plazas, which will include benches and trash cans as well as landscaping, and two smaller seating areas are being created on each side of the interstate ramps and around the intersection, the release said.
Also, the I-85 ramps will be re-landscaped. The project will includes 161 elm, maple, crepe myrtle, and magnolia trees; 6,146 holly, juniper, and rose bushes; 4,255 plugs of liriope; and more than an acre of sod.
The Brickman Group of Lawrenceville has been contracted to do the landscaping work for about $285,000. The project is expected to be finished around the beginning of 2013.
Upgrading the Gateway area, which has been hit hard in recent years by business failures, was a high priority with citizens in the recent 20/20 Vision survey.
Recent improvements in the area include the new police substation, which opened in September, but a new self-storage facility that was approved by City Council in October.
-- What is your reaction to the Gateway area improvements in Suwanee? What other ideas do you have? Share them in the comments below.
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Frank Ferrer
6:40 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Hi Steve, Now if they can only get rid of the smut shop over there, it would start to look half way decent!
Pot Roast tonight if you can make it! Hope to see you!
Frank
Steve Burns
6:44 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Hi, Frank. You aren't the only one that has it in for that shop. I'm hoping to attend the dinner.
freddy fudpucker
8:07 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I would love to see this landscaping $ being used to put street lights at major intersections. I have lived here 12 years and still can't get over the fact that street lights are rarely if ever installed on public roads.
Ross Crawford
3:52 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Nice looking for sure, so I hate to leave anything kind of negative on here, but was wondering if Suwanee makes it's contractors verify the immigration status of it's workers using E-Verify. Here is what the USCIS-Dept of Homeland Security's web site has regarding this: "U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States – either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This diverse workforce contributes greatly to the vibrancy and strength of our economy, but that same strength also attracts unauthorized employment.
E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-Verify is fast, free and easy to use – and it’s the best way employers can ensure a legal workforce." Since this is funded via taxpayer's money, was just curious.
Steve Burns
4:01 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Ross, would be best to direct that question to city officials themselves. The phone number for City Hall is on the website at www.suwanee.com.
Ross Crawford
9:02 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thanks Steve, but I was hoping one of them might address the question for the public to see. It's their tax dollars employing people who may be illegally here, while U.S. citizens are waiting in line at the unemployment office.
Steve Burns
5:43 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Ross, they may yet respond. They are very aware of publicity about the city and citizen feedback.