Highlighter Fall 2015

10 | Pond & Company The Landscape Architects and Transportation Planners from the Norcross Transportation Community Development group developed the ACTivate Gwinnett Place master plan that charts a path for economic redevelopment to Gwinnett County’s suburban retail center into the County’s central business district and mixed-use community. I n the mid-2000s, when Gwinnett Place Mall began to lose retail anchors, some developers floated the idea of adding residential towers to the district. Then the worst real estate downturn the region has faced in more than 20 years squashed any lingering ambitions to bring more mixed-use development to the Gwinnett Place district. Despite the economic hardship, district leaders continued to study ideas that could help the area adapt as retailers moved out of malls to more urban, street-level concepts, and more suburban companies relocated to more city-centric locales. Building upon their 2012 Livable Centers Initiative study, ACTivate Gwinnett Place identifies catalyst projects for investment to improve transportation, connectivity and livability. With input from area property owners, local business interests, civic leaders, Gwinnett County leadership and GPCID board members, Pond’s master plan identifies an infrastructure framework that invites mixed-used developments, creates greater connectivity between commercial centers and enhances public green space. Five catalyst infrastructure projects frame Pond’s overall Master Plan and will determine the future livability, connectivity, and redevelopment potential of the area. They include: a Grand Promenade serving as a linear pedestrian spine of connectivity, activity, and greenspace; an iconic bike and pedestrian bridge; a signalized, circular roadway around an 8 acre park; improved regional stormwater detention pond; and an improved multi-modal Transit Center. ACTivate Gwinnett