Officials Unveil Town Center Plans

Residents and council members alike discussed a new intersection of commerce and community at the meeting scheduled to reveal Snellville’s future direction.

Independent designers, placed in charge of the Snellville’s new construction, displayed a proposal that incorporated the input of nearly 1,000 residents and policymakers. With nearly 20,000 people, Snellville city leaders have grand aspirations and expectations ahead.

The first order of business was revealing future construction plans for the Town Center and roundabouts to pave the way for the continuous flow of traffic and intersection. The roundabouts would be established at the intersections of Clower Boulevard, Oak Road and Wisteria Drive. The beginning date for the roundabout construction currently awaits approval by the Department of Transportation.

The new town plans also take advantage of open lots in Snellville city limits, which includes the property adjacent to the Snellville Oaks movie theater. While the plan is underway, officials are also hopeful of altering U.S. Highways 78 and 124. There are plans to make the roads wider and to incorporate green space and pedestrian walkways.

The roadway changes -- the highway expansion, pedestrian walkways and roundabouts -- would help connect Snellville’s shopping, educational and recreational districts to make the areas more people friendly and profitable for local businesses. The transportation projects would be funded through a 1 percent sales tax increase, and help ensure completion of the projects within 3-5 years.

There is additional opportunity for college campuses in Snellville abreast the new plan. There is also a push to make room for solar power energy facilities. Snellville currently has a $12 million dollar budget and the city has already purchased a great deal of unused property. The focal point for all the efforts is affirming the brand that “everybody is somebody in Snellville.” It will be 10-20 years before all the plans are brought to fruition.

“We’ve discussed this for 20 years, and I’m excited that these plans are partially built and are ready to go into action,” stated Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer.

As more housing is established, council member Kelly Kautz assures that there will be opportunity for young people to take advantage of lower-income housing and single parent homes.

“I’ve grown up in Snellville and seen there is nothing for young people to do," she said. “The new system will change all that.”