Suwanee Police Substation Plans Emerging

Construction has not begun, but plans already are forming for the new Suwanee Police substation planned for the Gateway area.

"We're excited," Deputy Chief Janet Moon said after a presentation at a City Council work session in June.

A two-story structure is planned, and it will be "tight to the street," architect Jerry Spangler said. That is being done to improve the visual quality of the highway. The new building, which will be constructed on a blighted lot at I-85 and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, is viewed as a key toward the revitalization of Suwanee's Gateway area. Existing structures at the lot will be demolished.

The construction budget is $1.6 million, and officials are closely monitoring costs. About $150,000 is for the ventilation system at the firing range planned for the rear of the building. The firing range has been termed an "energy hog" by Spangler and means that the new substation may not be able to gain LEED certification.

However, that training facility will enable Suwanee officers to engage in a wide range of firing exercises in their own facility, as opposed to traveling to other sites. Also, the range might be able to be leased out to other agencies.

City Manager Marty Allen said construction should begin on the substation in December or January.

Suwanee paid $750,000 for the property. It expects $320,000 annually in income from billboards that will remain on the site.