Month: May 2021

Gwinnett commissioners gathered to cut the ribbon for the relocated Duluth branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library alongside officials from the library and the city of Duluth.
The relocated branch is 22,038 square feet, about twice as large as the previous branch. The facility’s features include two learning labs with areas for sewing, crafting, 3D printing, coding, and more; 30 adult computer stations and six kids’ computer stations; and a meeting room that can fit 120 people with retractable walls to add capacity.
“Our vision is that Gwinnett is the preferred community where everyone thrives,” said Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson. “With access to educational resources and activities in areas from crafting to STEAM, facilities like this one help our residents gain new skills and expand their minds.”
The $5.1 million construction contract for the building was funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax known as SPLOST. The city of Duluth provided most of the land, stormwater detention and streetscape improvements for the project.
“I want to thank our partners with the library and the city of Duluth for their ongoing support and cooperation as we made this space a reality,” said District 1 Commissioner Kirkland Carden. “This project is a great example of what can be achieved when the County and the cities come together to benefit our residents.”
Located on Main Street, the new facility has convenient access to Buford Highway and was designed to complement the aesthetic of the downtown area.
“The city of Duluth is thrilled to add this new amenity to our downtown,” said Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris. “With the location being within walking distance of two schools, plus being located near a variety of housing options, we are certain this will be an active and vibrant community space.”
Dr. Wandy Taylor, chair of the Gwinnett County Public Library Board of Trustees, praised the progress Gwinnett County has made in the last two decades, with a special emphasis on the library system.
“We can become a beacon of light for others to follow,” said Dr. Taylor. “This new building is a symbol of that.”
The branch opened to the public May 26.
See photos from the ribbon cutting on the County’s Flickr page and watch the ceremony here.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners adopted a new noise control ordinance on May 18, 2021.
The new ordinance, which goes into effect June 1, replaces the County’s noise control ordinance that was adopted in 2015. The new ordinance uses the plainly audible standard for determining whether a sound is violation of the ordinance. Under the new ordinance, sound will be regulated based upon the location, time of day and distance from which the sound is plainly audible. 
Under the ordinance, sound from consumer fireworks is regulated generally with other sounds on days and times not preempted by state law.
Additionally, a permit process was created to accommodate events that might briefly exceed the sound limit. Information about permits and applications for permits may be obtained from the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development.