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The Gwinnett Place CID area is wrestling with the congested and barren condition of its major streets and corridors that fail to reflect a sense of belonging or a pedestrian friendly experience that will attract people to the activity center. The CID Board of Directors understands the area’s immediate needs include making improvements to pedestrian facilities and creating an overall theme for Gwinnett Place’s community identity. Areas with inadequate pedestrian access facilities, lack of green space and heavy traffic generally are places people avoid. The revitalization of this commercial district requires that a sense of place and activity be created in order to draw people to its shopping and entertainment venues. With funding from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners combined with local CID funds, the CID is taking the first steps toward renewing Gwinnett Place’s overall image and revitalizing its economy.

• Reconstruction of the I-85/Pleasant Hill Road Interchange...CID's highest priority project
  The CID has funded a Feasibility Study and Conceptual Layout Plan for the much-needed reconstruction of the Pleasant Hill Road/I-85 interchange. The proposed single point urban interchange (SPUI) would provide three thru-lanes in each direction across the bridge as well as inverted dual left-turn movements, greatly enhancing mobility and safety in this heavily congested corridor. Reconstructing the interchange is the highest priority for the CID. District leaders continue to connect with local, state and federal authorities to bring about a future overhaul of the bottlenecked interchange. 
  
  

  The CID-funded study recommended improvements in the area consisting of three major components:

  • Reconfigure I-85 at Pleasant Hill Road to a single point urban interchange and provide some access management improvements along Pleasant Hill Road.
  • Extend southbound collector/distributor (c/d) lanes from existing I-85 at SR 316 project through Pleasant Hill Road to Steve Reynolds Blvd. This plan will allow for a second southbound entrance into the greater Gwinnett Place area.
  • Realign Venture Drive to form a 4-way perpendicular intersection with Gwinnett Place Drive and widen the roadway to four lanes with provisions for left-turns.
    
  Estimated cost of entire project is approximately $46 million:
  • SPUI= $15 million
  • Collector distributor lanes = $26 million
  • Venture Drive Improvement = $4.8 million
    
    
  The SPUI design was selected by the CID as the preferred alternative design concept for the intersection’s reconstruction because:
  • Design developed in the 1970s and a proven record for successful movement of traffic in urban areas. Today, over 300 SPUI in US.
  • Beneficial in urban areas because it can be constructed in limited rights-of-way…uses less land. Minimal right-of-way needed compared to right-of-way required for other types of interchange designs.
  • Reduces traffic signals.
  • Increases capacity and reduces commute times…moves more cars faster. Preliminary analysis shows up to a 30% improvement in traffic movement on Pleasant Hill Road.
    
  
  Click here for Single-Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) Animation.
  
  Click the links below to view the feasibility study reports and conceptual plans:
  
  
  • Feasibility Study Report
  • Appendix A: Conceptual Plan A1-1
  • Appendix A: Conceptual Plan A1-2
  • Appendix A: Conceptual Plan A1-3
  • Appendix A: Conceptual Plan A1-4
  • Appendix A: Conceptual Plan A1-5
  • Appendix B: Cost Estimate
  • Traffic Evaluation for improvements to Pleasant Hill Road and the Interchange of I-85

• Congestion Relief
  
  The Gwinnett Place CID Board of Directors has identified traffic congestion and efficient traffic flow and management as a top priority issue. In order to clearly identify the best projects to mitigate traffic congestion and enhance the efficient flow of traffic in the district area, the Gwinnett Place CID has completed transportation study to determine viable traffic relief strategies that could be implemented.
  

Click the links below to view the transportation study report and proposed projects:

• Transportation Priorities for Gwinnett's Central Business District - January 2007 update
• Gwinnett Place CID Transportation Study
• Activity Guidebook
• Appendix
• Programmed RTP Projects (map)
• Recommended Pedestrian Connections (map)
• Recommended Roadway Projects (map)
• Recommended Signage (map)
  
  
• Pleasant Hill Road Streetscape Projects
  The Georgia Department of Transportation has agreed to provide $350,000 in Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant funds in response to an application submitted by the CID. Click here to read more and view the photos. These funds will help implement the initial streetscape project on a section of Pleasant Hill Road in 2008. The CID is working to secure nearly $5 million in additional improvement funds for 2008/2009 streetscape project implementation along Pleasant Hill Road and Satellite Blvd. The projects along the two roadways have been pre-qualified by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Click here to read more.
  
  
• Commerce Avenue Plaza Park and Gwinnett Place's First Gateway
  
  As outlined in the 2004 Gwinnett Place Mall Pilot Study prepared for the Gwinnett Revitalization Task Force, the Gwinnett Place CID area “is void of any usable open space, community gathering areas or recreational opportunities that contribute to aesthetics and are necessary to foster a sense of place.” The Task Force recommended that a series of plazas, pocket parks and open spaces be built as part of the area’s redevelopment plans.

  Throughout the fall of 2006, the CID will be transforming a vacant and neglected “right of way” and utility area into a gathering place for people. The plaza park will become a valuable asset in this first phase of the Satellite Boulevard Streetscape Master Plan that will guide the beatification and renovation of Satellite Boulevard from Steve Reynolds Boulevard to Old Norcross Road. This pocket park will function as a gateway into the CID area and will be the first of several designated gateways. By implementing this Commerce Corner Plaza Park, the CID will showcase the future for the Boulevard with human-scaled elements and public meeting/recreation spaces. By revitalizing this corner, visitors will have a visual cue that they have entered a destination that embraces pedestrians and values natural enhancements. Through this park project, the CID will set the new, higher standards that the area will achieve in years to come.

  Park amenities will include: lighting elements, seating areas, waste receptacle units, sidewalks, plantings/trees and grassy open spaces perfect for gatherings, picnics and recreational activities. Click here to view images.
  

• Interchange Landscape Improvements
  In Fall 2007, the CID will fund plans to landscape the Pleasant Hill Road and Steve Reynolds Boulevard Interstate access ramps. As the “front door” into the greater Gwinnett Place area, this gateway will become a welcoming feature for those visiting and working in the heavily traveled area. The Gwinnett Place CID Board of Directors has allocated $300,000 to this project. Click here to view the I-85 Interchange Beautification Landscaping Plan
  
  
• Satellite Boulevard Streetscape Project
  The CID Board of Directors has adopted the final plans for installing decorative street lamps, benches, trashcans and landscaping to accompany new sidewalks along Satellite Boulevard. CID staff members are already in discussions with key stakeholders to secure funding to turn these plans into reality. Click here to view elements and images. The CID is working to secure nearly $5 million in improvement funds for 2008/2009 streetscape project implementation along Pleasant Hill Road and Satellite Blvd. The projects along the two roadways have been pre-qualified by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Click here to read more.
  
  
• Coordinate installation of new sidewalks throughout the District
  
  
  • Venture Parkway and Market Street
    Construction of 2,500 feet of new sidewalks along Venture Parkway has been completed. Running from the along the west side of Venture Parkway from Pleasant Hill Road to Mall Ring Road and on the north side of Market street from Venture parkway to Gwinnett Place Drive, this project gives visitors along “hotel row” an opportunity to walk to the area’s retail and entertainment venues. Designers purposefully arranged the sidewalk to allow free-form travel, helping create a more casual, relaxed setting for those walking in the area. The CID will install landscaping elements along this corridor in early fall.
    
    
  • Crestwood Parkway
    Construction of new sidewalks along both sides of Crestwood Parkway progresses and should be completed by mid-August. The sidewalks will extend to Pineland Road. This additional amenity to the area will enable employees in the high-rise office developments and hotel guests easier and safer access to the entertainment venues along Pleasant Hill Road.