James March-April 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 41
things we’re hearing today. Despite
studies that debunk all those myths, I
don’t think we can convince them.”
Last year’s tax was projected to
generate $12 billion, with another $5
billion coming from the federal government, to pay for 75 projects. “We’ve left
billions of dollars on the table because
we didn’t have a match,” Hendrickson
said. She added that bringing light rail
to Gwinnett is also unlikely because
it takes up to 20 years to build, so she
and other leaders are looking at alternative solutions.
Looking for Solutions
“We’re working with the state, our
federal partners and others to address
the traffic situation,” she said. “When
the only way to fund it is a sales tax
that must be approved by a voter referendum, that makes it hard. Gwinnett
County leads the state in auto vehicle
registrations. … The solution is how
can we condense commute times.
How can we create more areas that
have mixed-use developments so people can get to all their necessary business without spending so much time
on the roads? How can we rethink less
auto-centric communities? That’s what
we’re doing now.”
“We must look at partnerships.
Micro-transit is on-demand service,
so think of it like Uber or Lyft with
Snellville, Lawrenceville and Norcross
participating in the program. The one
in Norcross is our newest program.
That was founded by the Gateway85
Community Improvement District, the
city of Norcross and the county. We
would like to see more models of that
from people who may want transit but
not pay a higher tax.”
Lisa Anders, chief operating officer
of Explore Gwinnett Tourism and
Film— the county’s tourism arm— said
the cities are doing their part by offering activities to draw residents.
Like in many counties, though,
housing is a problem. Hendrickson
said starter homes that at one time
were only $100,000 are now in the mid$300s. “People are being priced out
and extended-stay hotels are becoming a de facto living format, which is
not a solution,” she said.
Regarding crime, according to a
Gwinnett County Police Department
news release, murders in the county
dropped by 25 percent, with 32 in 2024
and 40 in 2023.
“As far as crime, we’re seeing an
uptick but it’s not as high as other
counties in the [metro area],” Hendrickson said. “Our violent crime is trending
down. But with the second largest
county, we have the second largest police force. But we’re still having trouble
maintaining a police force.”
Rowen: A Bright Spot
Gwinnett’s future is bright, given
the projects that recently opened or
are set to open in the coming years.
One of them is Rowen, a 2,000-acre
development with the lofty goal of
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