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Politics & Government

New Public Works Facility Increases Space, Efficiency

With the new public works facility on Marigold Road now open, department employees reflect on the improvements.

Craig Barton wants to come to work.

Now, that the city's public works facility has been upgraded to a new building, rising early to do the city's dirty work has taken on a new life. Barton, and his fellow public works employees, officially transitioned to the new building on May 17.

“I'll tell you what...you want get up at five o’clock and come to work, and you’re not even supposed to be here until seven," said Barton, maintenance manager for Snellville's public works department.

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The department oversees sanitation, maintenance and recycling for Snellville. The new 13,000-square-foot building is deemed a significant upgrade from the previous facility, which lacked enough space to best perform all the department's duties.

Among the most significant advantages, Barton said, are 'the space that we have and how we’re going to be able to take care of our equipment and our resources to do our day to day jobs."

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The new facility, located on 2491 Marigold Drive, is part of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan for Snellville and is funded by Gwinnett County's special purpose local option sales tax, better known as .

The old public works facility was located inside T.W. Briscoe Park, and the new facility is part of a wider city effort to rezone and repurpose Snellville-owned properties for more appropriate usage.

“It’s going to be a big advantage being in here with all the new stormwater regulations the city has," Barton said. "We have a lot of new inspections and details for different people in the department."

 The Stormwater Management Program is part of an increased effort to maintain the streets and sewers of Snellville, and the program falls under the purview of the public works department.

Increased office space and covered storage for fleet vehicles are the two main needs the new facility now meets. In addition, Kathy Bass, an administrative assistant at the department, said her job of keeping the billing organized will now be much easier.

"We're able to keep records, and we're better organized at everything," Bass said. "We had no room at all at the other facility."  

Before, records and documents were stored in "an old attic" because of the lack of space, but "it's a good working environment for us now," Bass added.

The facility, constructed by Carroll Daniel Construction Company of Gainesville, Ga., took roughly nine months to complete. The company broke ground in September 2010. As part of an expansion to the recycling center, the public works facility was estimated to cost about $1.2 million.

Barton said the increased space and updated facilities has increased the efficiency of the department, as well. 

"Now that we're able to have it, we can better provide the public with the services they need," Barton said. "It's where we set our standard, with the people."

  • To view and download current and completed Snellville projects, including the Public Works facility, click here.
  • To read the 2030 Comprehensive Plan for Snellville, click here.
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