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SNELLVILLE - Construction is planned to begin May 5 on a new $11.3 million Community Center in T.W. Briscoe Park. 

“This is a project that has been in the conceptual discussion phase for over 20 years,” said Mayor Barbara Bender. “It’s very exciting to get to this point. We look forward to the Community Center at T.W. Briscoe Park becoming a place where people can exercise, stay fit and healthy, relax, and gather together for decades to come.”

The center will be approximately 34,000 square feet and includes two basketball courts striped for multi-sport play, an indoor walking track, an outdoor pavilion, two multi-purpose activity rooms, and one aerobics room. The project will be located near the current Snellville Parks and Recreation office. 

The Community Center is designed by Goodwin Mills Cawood and will be built by Place Services, Inc. which is slated to complete construction in the Summer of 2026.

“Briscoe Park offers our visitors over 95 acres of natural, passive areas and active recreation space for programming, all in one beautiful setting,” said Lisa A. Platt, Director of Parks and Recreation. “With the addition of the T.W. Briscoe Community Center, Snellville Parks and Recreation will be able to elevate our service and programming for the community and continue working toward our vision for innovative programming, to provide recreational opportunities that ensure quality of life for all in mind, body and spirit.” 

The project is primarily funded by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), which was approved for recreation projects by local voters in 2023 for recreation projects. Some additional funding is provided from an earlier SPLOST vote in 2017. Notably, the City of Snellville received $900,000 in grant funding from Gwinnett County via the Community Development Block Grant program of federal funds.

Construction of the Community Center will begin in May and is expected to be complete by the Summer of 2026. During construction, visitors to Briscoe Park should prepare for the following limited impacts:

• East Park Drive will be closed in its entirety from Lenora Church Road to the four-way stop at Sawyer Parkway inside Briscoe Park
• Outdoor basketball courts will be closed beginning May 5. The courts will be removed in order for the new Community Center to be built. Indoor courts will be available for play once the center is completed and new outdoor basketball courts are planned for future implementation of the Park Master Plan.
• Parking for Staley Field will be in front of the Parks and Recreation Office or at the lots near the softball fields.
• The fitness trail behind the park office will remain open initially, but will be re-routed at various times to accommodate multiple phases of the construction process. 

Follow Snellville Parks and Recreation and City Facebook pages and visit www.snellville.org for construction updates.

A groundbreaking event for the Briscoe Park Community Center is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., May 1 and is open to the public.

Snellville Police Department Lt. Andre Sullivan, has been recognized by Piedmont Eastside Medical Center his actions after helping a stranded family in need. 

Recently, as Sullivan was out on patrol, he noticed a stalled car on Scenic Highway. After going up to the occupants of the car, Sullivan found out the two adults and a child had not only run out of gas but were also displaced and currently living at a warm shelter. Sullivan took a gas can they had, filled it, and purchased a $40 QuikTrip gas gift card for future use.

Because of the situation, Sullivan also took it upon himself to buy meals for the family, so they wouldn't go hungry. He even received a letter of commendation from the Snellville Police Department because of his actions.

“Snellville Police Department’s line of work is often a thankless job, and we want to make the community aware of local heroes and all they do to make Gwinnett County a better and safer place," said Piedmont Eastside CEO Larry Ebert.

Piedmont Eastside leaders recognized the officer by honoring him with a poster and glass plaque award, deeming him a "First Friday Hero." 

Piedmont Eastside keeps a call out for nominations for the First Friday Hero program, an initiative designed to honor first responders in Gwinnett County who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and service beyond the call of duty.
 Piedmont Eastside’s First Friday Hero program aims to recognize the bravery, commitment, and extraordinary efforts of our local heroes. Each month, a first responder who has gone above and beyond in their duties will be celebrated and acknowledged for their invaluable contributions to our community.

As April kicks off Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Snellville Police is urging all drivers to stay focused behind the wheel and put down their distractions. Each year, distracted driving claims thousands of lives and causes even more injuries, and this month serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and attention while driving. Within the city limits, the Snellville Police Department has seen a rise in distracted driving related collisions over the years with the popularity of smart phones and social media on the rise.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is responsible for more than 3,000 fatalities annually in the United States. With the rise of smartphone usage, in-vehicle technology, and other distractions, the risk of accidents continues to increase.

Key Facts About Distracted Driving:

• Texting and driving increases the risk of crashing by up to 23 times.
• Distracted driving includes activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting in-car entertainment or navigation systems, and more.
• Drivers can become distracted in the blink of an eye—taking their attention away from the road for just a few seconds can lead to devastating consequences.

What You Can Do:

1. Put Your Phone Away: If you must make a call or send a message, pull over safely first. Keep your phone out of reach to avoid the temptation.
2. Focus on the Road: Avoid using in-car tech systems while driving. Set up your GPS or playlist before you start driving.
3. Be a Role Model: Encourage others, especially young drivers, to stay focused and avoid distractions while driving.

Snellville Police Department is committed to reducing distracted driving accidents through education, outreach, and support for safer driving habits. This month, Snellville Police is partnering with local authorities, schools, and community groups to host events and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Throughout the month, Snellville Police will be conducting proactive traffic enforcement details in an effort to combat the dangers of distracted driving.

Join us in the effort to reduce distracted driving and keep our roads safe. Together, we can make a difference.

Construction on significant traffic improvements at the intersection of Wisteria Drive and North Road will begin on March 31 in Snellville.

The investment in one of the busiest intersections in the city will improve traffic flow by addressing congestion and improving safety near The Grove at Towne Center. 

Roadway improvements in the area include a 300-foot right-turn lane on Wisteria Drive westbound, a 600-foot left-turn lane on North Road southbound, and a 150-foot left-turn lane on North Road northbound.

The project will also include new sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping as well as upgraded traffic signals to improve safety for pedestrians in the area. 

During the course of construction, which is expected to last roughly 12 months, there are no planned complete road closures. However, partial lane closures may be necessary. Drivers are asked to use caution when in the area and abide by signage and any traffic redirection in order to allow the project to progress safely and on time. 

Check the City of Snellville’s Facebook page and Snellville.org for any major construction updates and lane closure announcements. 

The City of Snellville is soliciting competitive bids from qualified vendors for the resurfacing and paving of City Roads for FY 2025.

There are seven (7) street projects per the contract. There will also be seven (7) more streets that are add alternates that WILL NOT be  part of the contract.  If budget allows they will be awarded accordingly to winning Bidder of the contract. 

Bids should be typed or submitted in ink and returned in a sealed envelope marked on the outside with the project identification bid number and company name. Bids will be received until 2:00 P.M. local time on Thursday May 1st , 2025 at the Snellville City Hall Reception Desk, First Floor, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia 30078.  Any bid received after this date and time will be marked as “late” and disqualified.  On Thursday May 1st , 2025 at 2:05pm, each submitted bid package will be opened by the City Clerk and selected staff. An initial bid tabulation documenting the Bid opening and listing Bidders will be available upon request on the next business day following the date of the Bid opening or viewed on our website at www.snellville.org.

Please visit our BID PAGE for complete information and the bid package.

A creek in the city has been renamed to honor the legacy of a beloved resident. 

Nelson Williams, who most notably served on the city’s Council and Downtown Development Authority, will have a creek named after him that runs near the Greenway Trail behind Northside Medical Center.

Williams Creek flows east, then southeast to Big Haynes Creek. 

“My dad, Nelson Williams, was a native of Snellville and he and my mother, Marilyn, were lifelong residents,” said Williams’ daughter Kathy Bass. “He was active in community affairs in Snellville and served on the City Council as well as many committees during the years. He loved his city and seldom missed a council meeting and was an active advocate for residents of Snellville. Our family is pleased with this recognition of his many hours of volunteer service to the residents of the City of Snellville.”

Williams died in August of 2018. He was 85. He also served on Urban Redevelopment Agency and the Development Authority of Snellville.

The naming of the creek was administered by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The BGN is a federal body created in 1890 and established in its present form by Public Law in 1947 to maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government, according to federal documents. The BGN comprises representatives of federal agencies concerned with geographic information, population, ecology, and management of public lands. Sharing its responsibilities with the Secretary of the Interior, the BGN promulgates official geographic feature names with locative attributes as well as principles, policies, and procedures governing the use of domestic names, foreign names, Antarctic names, and undersea feature names. 

The City of Snellville Police Department is offering this class in order to strengthen the bond of friendship and cooperation between our citizens and our police department.

More information and the link to the application can be found on the Police Department's CPA page.

(ATLANTA) – The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has announced that the Snellville Police Department is one of 26 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant for the Federal 2025 Fiscal Year. Referred to as a H.E.A.T. grant, Snellville Police Department’s award totals 58,231.68.

The goal of the H.E.A.T. program is to combat crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving and speeding, while also increasing seatbelt use and educating the public about traffic safety and the dangers of DUI.

The Snellville Police Department H.E.A.T Unit will use the grant from GOHS to develop and implement strategies to reduce local traffic crashes due to aggressive and dangerous driving behaviors.

“Federal and state crash data show sustained enforcement of traffic laws reduces crashes and saves lives on our roads,” Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety said.  “GOHS will continue to partner with state and local law enforcement to implement projects and initiatives designed to protect everyone using our roads and to help reach our goal of zero traffic deaths in Georgia and our nation.”

H.E.A.T. grants fund specialize traffic enforcement units in counties throughout the state. The program was designed to assist Georgia jurisdictions with the highest rates of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities with grants awarded based on impaired driving and speeding data.

“The Snellville Police Department is excited to continue our partnership with the Governor’s Office of
Highway Safety. The grant will enable us to increase our enforcement efforts allowing us to impact
impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding and other serious traffic offenses occurring in our city. This
will help us achieve our goal to significantly reduce injuries and fatalities resulting from these violations
while improving the safety on our roadways for the motoring public,” said SPD Chief Greg Perry.

As law enforcement partners in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DUI campaign and the Click It Or Ticket seatbelt campaigns, the Snellville Police Department will also conduct mobilizations throughout the year in coordination with GOHS’s year-round waves of high visibility patrols, multi-jurisdictional roadchecks and sobriety checkpoints.

For more information about the H.E.A.T. program or any other GOHS campaign, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org or call 404-656-6996.

SNELLVILLE — The City of Snellville will host three public hearings related to House Bill (HB) 581 passed by the Georgia legislature earlier this year. 

The change in law, which was contingent on a statewide referendum vote that passed in November 2024, implements a statewide floating homestead exemption designed to offset or reduce increases in taxable value to residential property with a valid homestead exemption. It is also referred to as a base-year or value offset exemption. House Bill 581 also enacts procedural changes in property tax administration and provides for a potential new local option sales tax. 

Entities that levy a property tax may opt out of the exemption after holding at least three public hearings and filing a resolution with the Secretary of State by March 1, 2025.  

Public hearings for the City of Snellville to receive input from residents will be held:

• Monday, January 13 at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, January 30 at 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, February 10 at 6:30 p.m.

All meetings will take place at Snellville City Hall located at 2342 Oak Road. 

More information about the public hearings can be found at snellville.org. More information about HB 581 can be found at gacities.com/Legislative-Session/Bill/HB581.

 

A Dec. 10 Planning Commission meeting regarding a 150-lot subdivision in Summit Chase has been postponed following a request from the applicant.
The rezoning request by KJ Luxury Homes, LLC and Summit Chase Country Club, Inc. requesting a rezoning and an amendment to the Snellville 2045 Future Land Use Map will be heard at a date to be determined. 
The project calls for a 150-lot single-family detached subdivision and 19.66 acres of open space including country club-style tennis courts, swimming pool, clubhouse and other amenities on a 95-acre vacant, unused golf course and country club site situated along Green Turf Drive and Classic Drive.

https://www.snellville.org/sites/default/files/uploads/planning-development/documents/2024%20Agenda%20Packet/RZ%2024-04%20LUP%2024-02/second-request-to-table-pc-hearing-11-26-2024.pdf