Month: October 2021

Gwinnett commissioners on Tuesday cut the ribbon for the relocated Norcross branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library alongside officials from the library and the city of Norcross.
The relocated branch is about twice as large as the previous branch and connects to the city’s Lillian Webb Park. The facility’s features include three learning labs with areas for sewing, crafting, 3D printing, coding, and more; 45 computer stations; and a meeting room that can fit 120 people; a game room; study rooms; and more. The project also includes an outdoor pedestrian plaza providing additional public space and a 128-space parking structure.
“Libraries improve quality of life and attract residents and businesses, and resources like the ones provided here create opportunity for the people who use them,” said Nicole Hendrickson, Chairwoman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. “I can’t wait to see the innovation that emerges from this space.”
The project was jointly funded by the County and the city of Norcross. The County’s share of the project was funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, known as SPLOST.
“When governments work together for the benefit of our residents, great things happen,” said District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku. “This library project is an example of all of us to joining forces to provide the most satisfying government experience for our community.”
The new facility has convenient, walkable access to both the park and the downtown Norcross area.
“The new library here in Norcross will continue its tradition of providing fair and quality access to information. Information translates into knowledge. Knowledge is a stepping-stone on the path to a better future,” said Norcross Mayor Craig Newton. “We applaud both our Gwinnett County Commission and the Gwinnett Public Library System on your efforts in partnership with the city of Norcross in creating what is arguably the most unique library in the county.”
Dr. Wandy Taylor, chair of the Gwinnett County Public Library Board of Trustees, also celebrated the partnerships that brought the project to life.
“Our libraries in Gwinnett County are the ‘hubs’ for community resources – and it is incumbent upon all of us to support these efforts for continued growth and innovation,” said Dr. Taylor.
The branch opened to the public October 27.
Note: Photos from the event are available on the County’s Flickr page.
 

County leaders cut the ribbon on a newly renovated wastewater treatment plant in Norcross.
Purchased in 1972, Crooked Creek is Gwinnett’s oldest wastewater facility. The latest enhancements bring the plant to a higher treatment standard while improving safety, efficiency, and reliability.
“Despite the challenges of rehabilitating this facility while it was still operating, Crooked Creek continued to function normally and received no violations,” said Board Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson. “This highlights the hard work put in by the Department of Water Resources and the employees who serve the County daily.”
During the four-year construction period, Crooked Creek was awarded the Georgia Association of Water Professionals Large Wastewater Treatment Plant of the year — twice.
“Serving our residents is top priority,” said District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku. “This is an example of Gwinnett’s commitment to providing high-quality water and wastewater treatment services to our residents, maintaining a functioning sewer collection system and discharging treated water in an environmentally responsible way.”
To place the size of Crooked Creek into perspective — there are 2.3 million feet of wiring and cable. That’s the distance from Atlanta to Orlando. In addition, there were 820,000 cubic yards of earthwork moved on the project, which equates to area the size of a football field – 46 stories tall.
The reinforcement is equal to the weight of 49, 757 airplanes stacked on top of each other.