Sunday, April 21, 2013
Week in Review: Checking some recent local headlines.
Here are some of the top headlines from Suwanee and Gwinnett over the past week: NEW HQ FOR MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC: The new 550,000 square foot building for the company's heating and cooling division was so important that the CEO came in from Japan. The facility in unincorporated Suwanee marks Mitsubishi Electric's fourth expansion in 20 years in Gwinnett. FIREFIGHTER HOSTAGES DISCUSS SWAT STANDOFF: Gwinnett firefighters who were held hostage by gunman Lauren Brown in his home spoke out on the ordeal. "He said, 'You would not believe how well I've planned this out,' " firefighter Tim Hollingsworth said. HISTORIC DISTRICT UPDATE: Officials with Georgia's Historic Preservation Office held a public information session at City Hall about the …
Friday, April 19, 2013
Residents hear about and discuss the proposed district in Old Town with Georgia officials.
The application process for a national historic district in Suwanee is still moving forward. But the boundaries for such a district in Old Town are far from certain. The current map for the proposed district is a "work in progress," Denise Messick, an official with the state Department of Natural Resources, told a public information session Thursday at Suwanee City Hall. Though not required, Georgia officials held the meeting because they feel it's "important to be transparent," said Dave Crass, another state official. They are with the DNR's Historic Preservation Division. It was the first time state officials, who handle the screening for the National Parks Service, have met directly with Suwanee residents. About 30-40 people, including …
Thursday, April 18, 2013
State officials will meet the public about the proposed national district at City Hall.
With the next phase of the process already scheduled, Georgia officials will hold a public session Thursday (April 18) in Suwanee on the proposed national historic district in Old Town. The meeting is scheduled at City Hall at 6 p.m. Officials with the state human resources department, which is in charge of the screening process, will preside at the meeting. Also, a letter to Suwanee from the state Department of Natural Resources shows that an August meeting is scheduled as the next part of the application process. The March 14 letter reads: I am writing to let you know that the above-referenced district will be presented to the August 2013 Georgia National Register review board. At this time, the Review Board will make a formal …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
State officials will discuss the proposed national district in April at City Hall.
The next step in potentially having a national historic district in Suwanee will happen in April. State officials have scheduled a public information meeting for Thursday, April 18, 6 p.m., at City Hall about the proposed district in Old Town. "This is part of the process," Suwanee Economic Development Director Denise Brinson said Tuesday. She noted that even though the meeting will be at City Hall, that it will be coordinated by officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. That agency does the screening for areas seeking historic district recognition. Suwanee officials received encouraging news from state officials earlier in March. In a letter to Suwanee dated March 1, Amanda Schraner of the state Department of Natural …
Friday, March 15, 2013
State officials expand the size of the proposed district, which is a key to the sale of Pierce's Corner. A public infomation session is in the works.
Updated 9:34 a.m., March 15 After an on-site visit in February, state officials have agreed to seek National Register Historic District status for a major portion of Old Town Suwanee. The decision means that the lease-purchase deal for the Pierce's Corner building on Main Street is closer to reality. Also, it means owners of income-producing property in the area would be eligible for federal tax credits. In a letter to Suwanee dated March 1, Amanda Schraner of the state Department of Natural Resources said, "We believe that the district meets the criteria for listing in the National Register and has been documented to National Register standards. ... We will schedule the district for nomination to the National Register Review Board as soon…
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
State officials want to meet with the city about some residents' opposition before proceeding.
Suwanee officials have received a favorable reaction to their formal application for a national Historic District in Old Town. However, officials in charge of screening want to meet with the city before resuming the process. State officials said the proposed Historic District "meets the criteria for listing in the National Register," according to a December 2012 letter to Suwanee officials and others involved in the review process. However, state officials noted that they have received a petition by "a number of property owners" within the proposed district who are opposed to the district. The number is about one-third of the historic residential buildings within the proposed district. -- Do you want to see the Pierce's Corner building in …
Friday, November 30, 2012
Ann Parsons Odum has donated a painting of Pierce's Corner. Also, she recently moved a longtime family business to Suwanee.
Her family business is new to Suwanee, but the family name is not new to Gwinnett. Ann Parsons Odum, whose family has owned a business in Gwinnett for generations, was honored Tuesday (November 27) by the Suwanee City Council. -- What are your memories of Parson's Gifts & Cards in Gwinnett? Have you shopped at the new location? Tell us in the comments below. The honor was for some of Odum's artwork, which commemorates a strong piece of Suwanee history. She donated to the city her painting of the Pierce's Corner building on Main Street in Old Town. The painting, which Odum said was done in 1995, will be displayed at City Hall. Odum noted Tuesday that her family began a general store in Bethesda, Ga., and moved it to Duluth in 1925. It …
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Suwanee's effort to put Old Town on the national list would add to existing sites and areas in the county.
Suwanee's effort to add Old Town to the federal Historic District list would, if successful, mark the first such district in the city. But it would not be the first such National Register district in Gwinnett. A check of the National Register of Historic Places website shows several well-known county landmarks are on the list. Lawrenceville has the most such sites, with six, and Buford has four. Perhaps the best-known county site on the national list is the Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville, which was added to the national list in 1980. Also, the William Terrell homeplace in Lawrenceville was added in 1982. The Bona Allen House in Buford was added in 1982. Also on the Gwinnett list: Old Town Norcross. According to the National Register …
Friday, October 12, 2012
Hilscher, an Old Town property owner and City Council member, has offered to meet with some Old Town homeowners who do not want to be included.
Updated 6:56 a.m., Oct. 12, 2012 An Old Town Suwanee property owner who also serves on the Suwanee City Council is offering to meet with some Main Street property owners about their desire to be excluded from a proposed national Historic District. Beth Hilscher, who is vice chairman of the city agency that is pushing for Historic District status, has begun contacting the property owners who signed a petition requesting exclusion. Hilscher's letter is dated Oct. 5 and uses her business stationery. -- What are your thoughts on Historic District status for Old Town? Tell us in the comments below. The petition was presented to City Council at the September meeting. It was signed by seven property owners on Main Street and presented by Linda …
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
State officials also suggest a wider area. A formal application could come in September.
Suwanee officials have gotten a "thumbs up" from state officials to apply for National Register Historic District status for part of the Old Town area. Such status is seen as crucial to the completion of the lease-purchase deal for Pierce's Corner on Main Street. In June, an official with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources sent Suwanee officials a letter that said the Old Town district "appears to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places." -- Do you like the idea of a national historic district for Old Town Suwanee? Tell us in the comments below. This comes after city officials sent the state a preliminary inquiry on the matter, and after city officials met with Old Town residents on the matter in March…
Penny Griffin
9:22 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I have known Beth Hilscher for many years. She is my neighbor and a friend. She is the least likely person I know to BULLY anyone! I am sure she is reaching out with only the best intentions. Penny Griffin more ›