Suwanee OKs Projects for Gateway Area

Suwanee city leaders Tuesday approved two projects that are designed to help the city's business-heavy Gateway area, which has struggled in recent years.

As expected, council members approved construction of the new police substation and training facility at I-85 and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. The total project cost is about $1.9 million, and work could begin as soon as December. This facility also will house a firing range that could be leased out to other agencies.

Main police headquarters will remain on Buford Highway across from .

Also, City Council approved the process of seeking up to $120,000 in grant money from the Atlanta Regional Commission, which would be used to study projects in the Gateway area, which roughly runs from Satellite Boulevard south to I-85. If the city is awarded the grant money, it would add $30,000 of its own funds.

This year the city has paid greater attention to the Gateway area. In March, two tickets to the Lady Gaga concert at the Gwinnett Arena were the top prize for a "Get It In The Gateway" contest that urged residents to visit businesses in the area.

And a couple of hot-air balloon events scheduled for the area in April had to be scrubbed because of the possibility of storms and high winds.

Also Tuesday, Suwanee Mayor Dave Williams, a Georgia Tech graduate, was wearing a University of Georgia cap in council chambers. That was because he lost a friendly wager with City Attorney Gregory Jay, a Georgia graduate, over the recent football game between the schools. "Squeaker," Williams joked about the 31-17 outcome.