Politics & Government

Suwanee OKs Funds for Strategic Plan

Also, new police substation gets backing.

Suwanee City Council approved two financial packages for key projects Tuesday, including one for its first-ever strategic plan.

Meeting with four members present, the council OKd an amount not to exceed $150,000 for the strategic plan and a maximum amount of $118,220 for a new police substation near I-85. Mayor Dave Williams and Council Member Jimmy Burnette Jr. were not present at the regular monthly meeting.

Interface Studio of Philadelphia is the firm hired to coordinate what the city is calling its 20/20 initiative.

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City Manager Marty Allen said the plan will be a 12-18 month process involving the goals and values of the community. "This strategic plan may be the most important thing we've undertaken in the past few years," Allen said.

As part of the effort, the city soon will begin community conversations and other engagement strategies with Interface and some Atlanta partner companies.

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In the 2010 National Citizen Survey, Suwanee residents rated the city No. 1 nationally among participating communities for welcoming citizen involvement.

The planned police substation is on a 1.1-acre tract on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road and is a shuttered gas station. Escrow should close soon, and completion is a year to 18 months away. Main police headquarters will remain on Buford Highway across from City Hall.

The 7,000 square foot facility will be designed and constructed using SPLOST funds. Tunnell Spangler Walsh was named the designer.

"The new substation will provide 24/7 police visibility in the Gateway," Suwanee Police Chief Mike Jones said.

In other action Tuesday:

-- Council tabled until the April meeting any decision on the Pedestrian Bicycle Plan, formerly known as the Alternative Transportation Plan.

-- Ippolito's was awarded a special-events alcohol permit. This will allow the restaurant to serve at roughly six events in the city, including the upcoming Greatest Hits Birthday Bash on April 16, featuring the Little River Band.

-- Approved receipt of a $10,000 state grant for .

-- Heard a presentation from Allen on .

For more information on the city, visit the website: www.suwanee.com.


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