THE GROVE UPDATE

^^^ WELCOME ABOARD! - Four new members joined the Snellville Youth Commission in 2020. From left are Councilman Tod Warner, Councilwoman Gretchen Schulz, Ruth Lonse of Shiloh High School, Jasmine Kline of Shiloh High School, Angie Zaraza of South Gwinnett High School, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Emanuel, Councilwoman and SYC creator Cristy Lenski and Councilwoman Solange Destang. Chloe Brown of South Gwinnett High School was not in attendance at the Council Meeting to be sworn in.

Burke wins another finance award

For the sixth time in her career as the city’s controller, Jan Burke has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for the comprehensive annual financial report she wrote for the city.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

“We strive to make sure our finances are reported accurately and responsibly for the residents of Snellville,” Burke BURKE said. “It is important for our residents to know they can have faith in the financial numbers we compile and report.”

Government Finance Officers Association advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 20,500 members and the communities they serve.

Mayor, Council reach agreements for Grove buildings

Big things are happening for The Grove at Towne Center.

In November the city agreed to partner with developer Mid Cast LLC to design, build and lease the prized City Market building planned for The Grove at Towne Center and last month Mayor and Council approved the construction contracts for the parking deck with Winter Construction.

“These are major steps in bringing a world-class development to the City of Snellville,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “The Grove and will draw visitors from across the region who want to enjoy a unique dining and shopping experience in the heart of Snellville.”

The Grove will be a commerce center reflecting the early days of Snellville’s entrepreneurial roots dating back to the city’s origins and the old Sawyer Store. The two-floor, 24,000-squarefoot Market building will include numerous and unique eateries, a coffee shop, a small market, spacious, flexible event space and craft beverage options. Potential plans call for it to be managed by an independent operator brought to the table by project developer MidCast and approved by Mayor and Council.

The Snellville Downtown Development Authority will own the building. Under the agreement, the city will partner with MidCast on the selection of an architect to design the building with the Mayor and Council approving final design and budget numbers. The City Market will prominently feature outdoor seating, patios, pick-up and drop-off vehicle lanes for ride sharing and take-out order availability.

City officials hope to select an architect before the end of the year and expects the building to be opened in the summer of 2022. Design concept renderings will be released sometime in early 2021.

The Grove at Towne Center will be a large scale, mixed-use town center property, comprising 18 acres between Oak Road, Wisteria Drive, North Road and Clower Street, in downtown Snellville. The Grove at Towne Center’s first phase will include over 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office, and entertainment space, and approximately 250 multi-family luxury apartments. In addition, the new Elizabeth Williams Library will be constructed and include a secind-floor business development/ accelerator space. -Brian Arrington, Public Information Officer