Community Project Funding Requests (Fiscal Year 2024)
Advancing Dementia Care
Amount: $7,070,585
Recipient and Address: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
150 D Coverdell Center, 500 D.W. Brooks Dr. Athens, GA 30602
Project Description: The University of Georgia has created the Cognitive Aging Research and Education (CARE) Center that leverages UGA’s 100+ years of collaboration and trust in rural Georgia’s communities to increase public knowledge regarding healthy brain habits, improve access to diagnosis, and provide support for families living with dementias in rural and medically underserved communities. The impact of these activities will be to improve quality of life and reduce the occurrence of care crises for families living with dementias; to improve detection of dementias while in early, less debilitating stages; and eventually, to reduce the incidence of dementias in rural communities. The CARE Center’s novel and innovative approach to dementia care will serve as a template for other states faced with rural health needs.
Camp Creek Bank Stabilization
Amount: $907,047
Recipient and Address: City of Lilburn
340 Main Street, Lilburn, GA 30047
Project Description: The City of Lilburn is proposing to conduct stream bank restoration activities on a section of Camp Creek, located in the headwaters of the Yellow River, that flows through Lilburn City Park. The stabilization of Camp Creek is an important effort that will improve water quality, decrease erosion along the target stream reach, and improve park aesthetics. The City has conducted a study of restoration options and has selected a solution that will stabilize the stream in several key ways: (1) the resistance of the streambanks to shear stress will be greatly increased with incorporation of a bioengineered streambank stabilization solution; (2) flows that tend to be directed towards the banks will be deflected toward the center of the channel with the use of vanes; (3) instream structures will allow park patrons to engage with the stream in a low impact manner while providing educational opportunities; and (4) a floodplain bench will reduce the shear stress within the channel during high flow events and provide additional flood storage while reducing the impact of flood waters to the adjacent walking trails and constructed wetlands.
Sewer Pipes and Stormwater
Amount: $1,000,000
Recipient and Address: City of Suwanee
330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, GA 30024
Project Description: The purpose of this proposed stormwater effort is to identify and rehabilitate/replace failing stormwater pipes throughout the city. Based upon previous and ongoing work and analysis, it is anticipated that about 31,000 linear feet of pipe throughout the city needs rehabilitation and/or replacement. This study, being developed by professional consulting and engineering firm Integrated Science and Engineering (ISE), has developed a preliminary inventory of the City’s stormwater system and has begun to identify threats and failures in the system. For the city’s next step, the City of Suwanee would like to take a proactive approach to complete a comprehensive inspection and pipe condition assessment using camera systems and other methods that are beyond our local capabilities to identify unknown failing / failed systems and repair them before becoming significant hazards to the public. It is estimated that only about 10% of the city’s stormwater can be inspected by walking or crawling in pipe. Typically, once a system is identified and is at a point of failing but not failed, costs can be reduced by about 50% to repair compared to a complete failure in the system. This also prevents the secondary effects of a failed system that can include sink holes and flooding. From previous study and analysis, the city has already identified 18 significant stormwater pipe systems that are failing. These systems vary in size from 18” to 96” diameter pipe with length of systems from 32’ to over 500’. Most of these systems run under streets and are as deep as 35’ from the top grade of road. Some situations will require “open cuts” which disturbs the surrounding areas, as extensive disturbance of soil is required with substantial increase in cost of the project. Rehabbing of pipe is the preferred method with minimum disturbance, by spray casting the pipe in place, giving it an additional 30-to-50-year life span.
Tri City Connect - Lilburn, Lawrenceville, and Snellville Police Departments
Amount: $900,000
Recipient and Address: 4600 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lilburn, Georgia 30047
Project Description: The Tri-City Connect Program will allow all three cities to use a platform which will allow for efficient outreach to collect recorded video, both public and private, within all three jurisdictions. The platform will provide a video and data collaboration platform to expedite intelligence gathering and efficiency of response to situations as they unfold throughout the community. Further, the platform is tied to a community-facing website portal for video camera registry, providing a tool for identifying the location of cameras in proximity to incidents, as well as a means for efficient outreach to collect recorded video and image files from camera owners both public and private.
Georgia Biomanufacturing Workforce Accelerator for Emerging Therapies
Amount: $1,000,000
Recipient and Address: Georgia Institute of Technology, North Ave, Atlanta, Georgia 30332
Project Description: This project will devise and implement educational strategies to create a data-sciences fluent graduate who can work at various levels in the biomanufacturing sector. These educational tools may include hands-on courses, modules or program curricula using innovative pedagogies such as laboratory-based learning with state-of-the art manufacturing equipment, problem-based learning, flipped classrooms, virtual and cross-reality training and online learning. These will be developed and implemented by Georgia Tech faculty, as well as partners at state technical colleges and high schools.
Biometric Fingerprinting Scanner
Project Amount: $27,000
Recipient and Address: Norcross Police Department, 65 Lawrenceville ST NW, Norcross, Georgia 30071
Project Description: The City of Norcross is requesting funding for a biometric fingerprinting scanner to enhance law enforcement efforts and improve public safety in the community. The scanner would enable police officers to quickly and accurately identify suspects, prevent false arrests and wrongful convictions, and provide valuable evidence for criminal investigations. The technology would enhance the efficiency of the police department, allowing officers to focus on other important tasks, such as preventing and solving crimes. Additionally, the scanner could potentially save lives by identifying and apprehending dangerous individuals before they can commit more serious crimes.
SR140/Jimmy Carter Boulevard at I-85
Project Amount: $4,000,000
Recipient and Address: Gateway85 Improvement District, 6305 Crescent Dr, Norcross, Georgia 30071
Project Description: traffic conditions at or near the I-85 at Jimmy Carter Boulevard interchange add to trip times, especially to freight vehicles. Improving the roadways will result in economic benefits to adjacent and nearby businesses by increasing the efficiency roadway network. In addition to relieving congestion and promoting economic development, major roadway projects result in many societal benefits. Gwinnett’s only designated Opportunity Zones (OZ) are located adjacent to the I-85/Jimmy Carter Boulevard interchange.
Gwinnett Loop Trail – Satellite Boulevard Segment
Project Amount: $7,336,946
Recipient and Address: Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046
Project Description: To construct a multi-use path along the Satellite Boulevard corridor, from Sugarloaf Parkway to Wildwood Road, leading into Peachtree Ridge Park. This project follows a busy commercial corridor that currently lacks robust pedestrian and bicycle trail connections to promote alternative transportation options. The Sugarloaf Mills district and surrounding areas also lack park space and has seen a huge increase in multifamily developments over the last five years.
The Loop Trail is a key project in Gwinnett County’s Master Trail Plan that will address these issues. It will connect a major activity center to Peachtree Ridge Park while providing connectivity for multifamily residences, businesses, restaurants, retail, and transit riders along the route. Completing this section of the Loop Trail would provide opportunities for residents to travel as cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders between the Gas South District and Peachtree Ridge Park on Wildwood Road. The trail would expand mobility options for heavily travelled destinations and events. This trail would also provide bike and pedestrian connectivity to existing Ride Gwinnett local transit service and the new local route 50. The trail would also help residents with access to regional commuter transit service operating from the park and ride at Sugarloaf Mills.
Pleasant Hill Road Multi-Modal Bridge
Project Amount: $6,750,000
Recipient and Address: Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046
Project Description: To expand connectivity in the Gwinnett Place area by constructing a multi-modal bridge across Pleasant Hill Road. Pleasant Hill Road is a high-volume road which carries almost 60,000 vehicles per day with six travel lanes, thus a grade separated multi-modal overpass would be the safest option to move pedestrians, cyclists, and other multi-modal users across the roadway. This project would directly support the Gwinnett Place Mall Equitable Redevelopment Plan by connecting the mall site to areas that could be positively impacted by the mall’s transformation into a vibrant cultural destination.
Chattahoochee River Greenway – Abbotts Section
Project Amount: $7,200,000
Recipient and Address: City of Johns Creek, 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097
Project Description: The Chattahoochee River Greenway - Abbotts Bridge Section will create an approximately 2-mile connection between Cauley Creek Park across the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Abbotts Bridge unit to Abbotts Bridge Road. The Chattahoochee River Greenway - Abbotts Bridge Section is presently in engineering. The project is important to not only Johns Creek’s 83,000 residents but also those in Gwinnett County. At the southeastern corner of Cauley Creek Park is the restored Rogers Bridge pedestrian and bicycling connection across the Chattahoochee River. The Rogers Bridge connection has reached substantial completion with ribbon cutting anticipated in May 2023. Considering this connection, there are approximately 32,000 residents in Duluth that will also benefit from the proposed Chattahoochee River Greenway - Abbotts Bridge Section that will benefit from this pedestrian connectivity and opportunity for outdoor recreation. In short, the project will have a regional benefit and provide a recreational amenity for over 115,000 residents of Georgia.
Chattahoochee River Greenway – McGinnis Section
Project Amount: $17,000,000
Recipient and Address: City of Johns Creek, 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097
Project Description: This proposed project – the Chattahoochee River Greenway – McGinnis Ferry Section is an approximately 3-mile connection between Cauley Creek Park north to and then across the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area McGinnis Ferry unit. The project is important to not only Johns Creek’s 83,000 residents but also those in Gwinnett County. At the southeastern corner of Cauley Creek Park is the restored Rogers Bridge pedestrian and bicycling connection across the Chattahoochee River.
Atlanta Regional Transportation Carbon Reduction Plan
Project Amount: $900,000
Recipient and Address: Atlanta Regional Commission, 229 Peachtree St #100, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Project Description: The project will examine strategies to support the reduction of transportation emissions in the Atlanta region and identify safe, reliable, and cost-effective options and strategies for projects. As part of this work, consideration will be given to the population density and context of the region. The plan will support Federal goals to reduce transportation emissions from on-road highway sources. Specific strategies include 1) reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips, 2) facilitating the use of vehicles or modes of travel that result in lower emissions, and 3) facilitating approaches to construction that result in lower emissions. ARC will establish performance measures and targets for greenhouse gas emissions. Once these targets are established, ARC will demonstrate progress toward achieving the targets.
Promoting Health Wellbeing and Community among Gwinnett Residents at the YMCA
Project Amount: $2,000,000
Recipient and Address: YMCA of Metro Atlanta, 569 M.L.K Jr Dr NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314
Project Description: The YMCA is seeking funding to update the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA’s restrooms and locker rooms to allow equitable and safe opportunities across audiences to promote recreation, health, and wellness; increase public safety through drowning prevention; and community building among residents.
Ride Gwinnett Local Fixed Route 60
Project Amount: $13,125,000
Recipient and Address: Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046
Project Description: To fully implement a new, all-electric, local fixed route that will provide a meaningful connection between two major cities, two institutions of higher learning, and two major healthcare centers. The new local route 60 will bridge the service gap and connect people, and services--as well as provide the Snellville community multimodal transportation access to Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville. In addition to the fixed-route service of Local Bus 60, Gwinnett County Transit also will provide complementary paratransit service, which will provide much-needed door-to-door service for those ADA customers within three-quarters-of-a-mile of the Local Bus 60 fixed route.
Ride Gwinnett Local Fixed Route 50
Project Amount: $3,000,000
Recipient and Address: Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046
Project Description: To design and construct customer infrastructure (bus stop shelters) for a new local fixed route 50 providing service between Lawrenceville, Buford, and Suwanee. Route 50 will provide service from Lawrenceville, through Suwanee to Buford, Georgia. The route follows Satellite Boulevard north to the I-985 Park-and-Ride from Sugarloaf Mill Park-and-Ride before heading east along Buford Drive to the Mall of Georgia. Proposed frequencies are 50-minutes on weekdays and Saturdays.