Lilburn CID August 2018 Newsletter

Lilburn CID August 2018 Newsletter

Lilburn CID Repays Loan in Full

At the Lilburn City Council meeting on July 9, 2018, Lilburn Community Improvement District (LCID) executive director Emory Morsberger presented a check for more than $71,000 to the former Lilburn mayors, Jack Bolton and Diana Preston, to repay the balance of seven-year loan that was provided to help create the CID.

“It’s so heartening to see what the Lilburn CID has accomplished since its inception as well as its ambitious plans for the future of the Lilburn,” said former Lilburn mayor, Diana Preston. “The CID is one of Lilburn’s most valuable resources.”

In a day and age when businesses and individuals are drowning in debt and defaulting on loans, this check presentation was not only a repayment of Lilburn Community Partnership’s loan in full, but an early repayment. This signifies how the City of Lilburn and Lilburn CID are thriving and continuing to grow.

“These past mayors bet on the ability of local property owners to organize and improve the area — and everyone won big!” said Morsberger. “They had incredible vision! And now we have our sights set on an even brighter and more prosperous future,” he added.

“The Lilburn Community Partnership is happy to have been able to facilitate the initial funding for the organization, creation, and operation of the Lilburn Community Improvement District,” says former Lilburn mayor, Jack Bolton. “It is rewarding to see that the CID has repaid the loan to the LCP and that the CID now has a sustainable source of funds to operate and complete projects. The projects and ongoing maintenance that the CID provides have been a tremendous benefit to the Lilburn community. The CID has a long list of projects and we look forward to seeing more of those projects completed.”

Read more in the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Lilburn’s 9th Annual National Night Out

There was a great turnout for Lilburn’s 9^th Annual National Night Out at Plaza Las Americas on August 7. Children lined up to be entertained by James the balloon artist and Natalie the face painter from Atlanta Party People, while their parents stopped by the LCID booth to take the Pleasant Hill Small Area Survey (more info below).

Thank you to Richard Fangman and Eric Lusher, from Pond Co., and Larry Kaiser for facilitating the improvements to our community. Also, thank you to Gwinnett Commissioner Lynette Howard, Pastor Paul Millarc (and Madison, his daughter) from Lilburn First Baptist Church, nearby property owner Mike Nema and everyone else who came by our booth. You are what makes Lilburn an incredible community!

Gwinnett Approves Contract with MARTA, Calls March Vote

Wednesday, August 1, the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners made two historic decisions. They approved a contract for MARTA to expand its railways into the County and called for a public referendum on the matter for March of 2019.

Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said of the meeting. “I’m just very, very happy to get to the point that we’re able to approve the contract and move forward.”

The issue has been voted down many times throughout the years, but as the County grows, traffic commutes increase and attitudes are starting to shift in regards to public transit. Residents are ready to consider alternatives that will make better use of their time and decrease stress in their lives.

“I think Gwinnett voters are ready to vote for a much more organized transportation system,” said Emory Morsberger, LCID executive director and former Gwinnett representative on MARTA’s board. “… People are tired of sitting in traffic. It’s eating up a huge amount of time, and it’s hurting people’s quality of life.”

Read more in this AJC article.

LCID Welcomes Hope Springs Distillery

Gwinnett County introduces its first distillery to the City of Lilburn since prohibition! Hope Springs Distillery currently produces the small-batch spirit labels Top Hat Vodka and Jetty Absinthe, with plans to produce several types of gin in the future.

“We’re thrilled to open our doors to the public and share our top-quality products with our community,” says Betsey Dahlberg, co-owner of Hope Springs. “We take great strides to create thoughtfully made, locally-sourced spirits with all-natural products for our neighbors and friends.”

Hope Springs Distillery’s products are made with premium, Georgia-grown products and can be found in liquor stores and retailers throughout Georgia and is now able to offer cocktails and bottled products for sale directly to the public. The distillery is open from 4-7 p.m. for tours and tastings on Fridays and Saturdays and is located at 4839 Railroad Avenue NW in Lilburn, Georgia.

Lilburn Police’s New Headquarters Breaks Bround

Officials from the City of Lilburn and Gwinnett County gathered Monday evening, August 13, to break ground on the new Lilburn Police headquarters in the heart of downtown Lilburn at 4572 Lawrenceville Highway.

“What we’re building here is a tool for our police force to make them more efficient,” said Lilburn Mayor Johnny Crist. “We want to give this facility to the police department to not only make (their) presence known, but  aslo as a tool to create that place of safety we all long for.”

The $4.9 million SPLOST-funded construction is scheduled to be completed in 12 months by BM and K Construction. Read more.

Pleasant Hill Small Area Study

The Lilburn Community Improvement District (LCID) recently initiated the Pleasant Hill Road Small Area Plan to investigate possible transportation and land use improvements for the corridor between US 29 and Cruse Road.

While this process consists mostly of technical analysis, it also includes a listening session with the community of Lilburn. The study team will also be soliciting input from business owners in the study area and coordinating with planning partners from the City of Lilburn and Gwinnett County.

Please provide your feedback and take this survey online.

To have your business or event included in our next CID newsletter please contact Emory Morsberger at 770-409-8100 or email [email protected].