SUWANEE TALK!

A SIGHT TO BEHOLD!!!!

WHAT A SIGHT TO BEHOLD! 

Magnificent!!!

                            

To say the new City Hall is majestic (at 23,600 square feet) would be an understatement. And, there is no doubt in anyone's mind the new City Hall would never have become a realty without the support of its citizens! With a population of just over 16,000 in 2007, cities twice our size don't have the support of their citizens to erect a monument of this magnitude to represent their town.

The ground breaking for the new City Hall began in December, 2007. And, it won't be long before city staff members and officials begin their move into their new home. The expected move is for sometime in February.  Quoting Marty Allen, Suwanee's city manager, from an article in Gwinnett Herald, "With its location along Town Center Avenue across from Town center Park, the New City Hall is an important and visible part of the Town Center. It is an iconic facility that helps establish a sense of place for the city."  Indeed! The building is amazing (to say the least!!!).

The city officials will be saying good-bye to the current City Hall (the second since we moved to Suwanee 21 years ago) built when the population was around 6,500.  The current city hall will become home to the Suwanee Police Department and city court system.

Watch for the grand opening ceremony planned for March of this year!

 

Additional Article of Interest:  http://www.brph.com/story.asp?id=67
Suwanee is steeped in History:  http://www.suwanee.com/aboutsuwanee.history.php

 

 

 


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STAND UP STRAIGHT, SHOULDERS BACK!

Who do you believe? We can listen to the main street media and take on the attitude the current economic nose bleed will last forever - or at least they make you feel that way. Or we can look at some other indicators which might cause us to stand up straight, throw our shoulders back and feel optimistic about what lies ahead!

For instance, I had an article sent to me recently: "Decision Analyst U.S. Economic Index for December Holds Steady, Signaling Economic Recovery in 2009".  The index is a leading indicator on where our economy is headed. And according to the article it says, "The U.S. Economic Index has remained stable for the last nine months of 2008." Meaning what? According to this article, we will see our economy find its bottom mid-2009.

Additionally, in late December, an article was published by Realtor Magazine showing an increase in mortgage applications: Refinances accounted for 62.6 percent of the applications while mortgages to buy new homes increased a "seasonally adjusted" 10.6 percent.

And January is typically a slow real estate month in Atlanta. However, as soon as we said good-bye to the Holidays, my phone was ringing (which was music to my ears). Buyer's Agents were out with their clients looking at property and the cycle has continued....slowly but it has continued.

So what does this all mean? In my opinion, if we take the news that also came out last week saying the Feds plan to buy mortgage backed securities which should drive interest rates as low as 4.5 percent and add this to the slow trickle of activity taking place NOW along with the steady tick from the U.S. Economic Index plus the increase in NEW mortgage applications, we should have the perfect recipe for a housing market recovery which will then translate to having a positive effect on our economy in 2009!  So...Stand up straight, shoulders back...and...SMILE!!!       

                                                                                                         

 

Realtor Magazine Article: Source: Mortgage Bankers Assoc.  & Market Watch  (12/24/08)

 


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TIME OF THANKSGIVING.....

Winter Wonderland

GIVING THANKS!!

A chill is in the air – especially for Atlanta! I think Mother Nature forgot that we’re in the South - giving us a good taste of, in my opinion, winter from the North. The temperatures are down right chilly— giving us all a good indicator summer is gone for a while. 

It is so easy when things seem bleak to crawl into bed, pull the covers over our head, hibernating while waiting for a better tomorrow. But I would venture to guess that most of us have been getting up every day this year, putting one foot in front of the other and doing all we can to keep a smile on our face, trying to look for that silver lining. 

We can all take pause to reflect on the roller coaster ride 2008 has been. And, I am not just talking about real estate. If we reflect on this year’s real estate market nationwide, add the sub-prime lending disaster, the bank bailouts, the tumbling  stock market, rising unemployment; and, now a call for help from the auto industry, I think we could all agree that 2008 will be a year to remember (or not)! 

It is so easy to think about all the “bad” that surrounds us; and, so easy to forget the “good!” However, with the Holiday Season upon us, what better time than now to take a step back, take a deep breath and give thanks! Yes, I said “thanks!” 

For me, as I look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family and friends I will give a very humble “thank you” for:

  1. Living in the greatest nation in the world
  2. For parents who raised me with love while teaching the importance of honesty and integrity
  3. An older brother who helped me develop a tough skin through years of his teasing
  4. A sister who has become my best friend
  5. For a husband who loves me unconditionally and is always supportive
  6. For my daughter and son of whom I am very proud!
  7. My friends & good neighbors
  8. My health & the health of my family and friends
  9. Having a roof over my head & food on the table
  10. Money to pay the bills
  11. People who care about and love me
  12. For our adorable “girls”: Gabby and Gracie (our loving miniature dachshunds)
  13. For every client who said “Yes” I want to work with you
  14. For a broker who is always encouraging and pushing me forward
  15. For every closing I had this year
  16. And………..my faith! 

There is much to be grateful for; but no doubt there are times when it is hard to remember.  So, now more than ever, my wish for all of you is that you have a very Happy Thanksgiving and blessed Holiday Season.  May 2009 be a year when you can each reach out and touch that "silver lining".

janice

 

 

 


  

 

 

 
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SIM'S LAKE PARK OPENS!!!

The newest park in the city of Suwanee's portfolio, Sim's Lake Park -  is open for business!

Staying true to form with their Open Space Initiative, Sim's Lake Park consists of 62 beautiful natural acres plus a 7 acre lake. The park is also comprised of 1.2 miles of looping trail, a picnic paviliion; and, two-2 acre play meadows.

Located at Suwanee Dam Road and Tench Road, the Grand Opening Celebration for the park is scheduled for November 8 from 2 pm - 5 pm.

 

Suwanee GA - RIVERMOORE PARK: 3rd QUARTER MARKET PERFORMANCE

 

Rivermoore Park, Suwanee GA

          Third Quarter 2008
Compared to Second Quarter 2008

Third Quarter, 2008


SOLD:  3

Corp Owned:  1
Foreclosure: 1
Owner Transfer: 0
Lease/Purchase: 0
No Special Circumstances: 1



High Sold Price:  $454,000
Low Sold Price:  $366,000
Average Sold Price:  $401,633

Avg DOM:  80

Avg ORIG. List Price to Actual Sale Price Percentage:  93%
Avg Seller Concessions:  $5,360
Second Quarter, 2008


SOLD:  9

Corp Owned: 1
Foreclosure: 1
Owner Transfer: 1
Lease/Purchase: 0
No Special Circumstances:  6



High Sold Price:  $717,000
Low Sold Price:  $460,000
Average Sold Price:  $575,277

Avg DOM:  49

Avg ORIG List Price to Actual Sale Price Pecentage:  94%
Avg Seller Concessions:  $4,152

 

Analysis:  
  • Number of homes sold 3rd quarter vs. 2nd quarter:  <6 units>
  • Avg SOLD price 3rd quarter vs. 2nd quarter: <$173,644>
  • Avg DOM 3rd quarter vs. 2nd 2008:  ^31 days
  • Avg ORIG List to Sale Price Percentage 3rd vs. 2nd:  <1%>
  • Avg Seller contributions:
     3rd quarter; $5,360 3rd  vs. 2nd quarter; $4,152  ^29.1%

**Drop in AVG SOLD PRICE 3rd quarter vs. AVG SOLD PRICE 2nd quarter does not reflect current property values within Rivermoore Park and is not the intent of this report.  It is an indicator, in my opinion, of what price point within Rivermoore Park is selling best in today's current market.

Current  market in Rivermoore Park:
  • ACTIVES in Rivermoore Park:  28
  • Avg LIST price of ACTIVES:  $581,035
  • Highest List:  $999,000   Lowest List:  $445,900
  • Predominant price range of current ACTIVE listings:  $525,000-$599,900
  • PENDING: 1


 

A Look Back at 3rd Quarter, 2007:
  • Units Sold:  10
  • Avg. ORIG List Price to Sale Price Percentage:  94%
  • Avg.  DOM:  108
  • Avg. Seller Contributions:  $1,973



Data is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed.


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Gwinnett County, GA: Where's a Cop When You Need One? Too often, responding to a false alarm.

Chuck Warbington,PE
Executive Director

Article by:  Chuck Warbington, PE

It is probably that at one time or another, 99% of us have uttered the
phrase, "Where's a cop when you need one?"  Some startling statistics that
offers some explanation to that very question can be summed up under the
term: False Alarms. 

As has been reported earlier this year, the Gwinnett Village overall crime
rate was down by 1/3 over the first half of the year.  However, Gwinnett
Village, like the rest of the County, does register as problematic with
false alarms.

Annually, the Gwinnett County Police Department receives just under 39,000
security alert dispatches; security alerts are the leading cause for
dispatches and exceeds moving vehicle accidents that accounts for just under
24,000.  What is most alarming about these statistics is that 99% of these
security alarm dispatches are actually false or non-valid.  Of the 6111
alarm calls that occur at the Westside Precinct that covers Gwinnett Village
thus far in 2008, only 22 were valid.

Information from the Norcross Police Department indicates that false
security alarm calls are also a problem for the City's force.  Of the 1458
annual security alarm calls, approximately 2% are valid as provided by
police chief Dallas Stidd.

According to Gwinnett County Police, a false alarm dispatch can require one
to three officers to report to the scene.  These false alarm calls can take
up to two hours of an officer's time, thereby deterring them from regular
patrols where an actual crime could occur.  Not only do these false alarms
increase the threat of crime within the community, they are also serious
economic implications that are too easily dismissed by uneducated consumers
and the general public. 

Police officials confirm that it costs taxpayers $58.40 for every dispatch -
a number that does not truly reveal the severity of this problem until
multiplied by the 38,405 invalid false alarm dispatches.  Calculations
indicate that over $2.2 million in taxpayer dollars are wasted each year on
false alarms.  In a time of budget shortfalls, this is a significant problem
that businesses and residents alike should be attentive to.

The police have provided these few tips:

.       Mare sure the type of alarm is the right type for your particular
business
.      Use the correct motion sensor in the appropriate location.
Circulating air can move wall mounted items tripping the motion sensor.
.      Make sure employees are trained properly and have established
protocols for when employees accidently activate an alarm.
.        For repeated false alarms, contact your alarm monitoring company for
an analysis of your system.

   

This article has been posted to Suwanee Talk with the express consent of Chuck Warbington.

 

 

                                                            
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SUWANEE GOES HOLLYWOOD!

Article written by:  Carole Townsend/Gwinnett Daily Post

 

Driving through Suwanee, a newcomer might think the historic district and the thriving Town Center look like a postcard or a well-designed movie set. Three young men - couldn't agree more.

The next notch on the progressive city's belt of accomplishments will be a movie set. Filming of "Exit 111", an independent film will begin in April, 2009. "It's a story we know, about people we know," said Joel Hoffman, director, executive producer and one of the writers of the script.

Picture a hybrid flick with the feel of TV's popular "Friends," humor like "American Pie," with the sharp, quick pace of Aaron Sorkin's old "West Wing" dialogue. That's what the guys behind this film intend to create in "Exit 111".

"It's about three guys who grew up together here in Suwanee. It's their last weekend before one of them leaves for law school, and they are going to try to do as much as they can in that weekend, said Hoffman. What happens during that weekend, the twists and characters' personal struggles that result, are the backbone of the plot.

Adam Zappia, the film's producer and another 1999 NGHS graduate, is excited about making Suwanee the setting for the film.

"As a kid, I used to hunt and fish right here where we're sitting," said Zappia of Suwanee's Town Center. "There's definitely a small-town feel here. A different director couldn't capture that."

Hoffman has lived in Log Angeles for about 3 years and Zappia is moving to the West Coast at the end of September. It's been a dream of both to work together on a film, and the ability to bring in their hometown is just an added bonus.

"We think this film will be something people in Suwanee will be proud of," Hoffman said.

While the lead roles will be cast in Los Angeles, pivotal character roles and all the extras will be selected from local talent. Both Hoffman and Zappia feel strongly that there is untapped talent to be found locally, and they are eager to give locals a chance they might never otherwise get.

The team's production company, Quarter Water Entertainment, is laying the groundwork for the film and building local support. Hoffman and Zappia are scouting locations and talking with Suwanee business owners and city leaders.

"We want people to know we're not just a couple of kids running around town with DV camera," said Zappia.

"Our goal is to take the film to Sundance (Film Festival) in 2010," Hoffman said.

 

 THANK YOU TO GWINNETT DAILY POST AND CAROLE TOWNSEND

  • This article was printed in the Gwinnett Daily Post on Wednesday, September 24, 2008. The article was written by Carole Townsend
  • Permission was granted by Gwinnett Daily Post and Carole Townsend to post this article to "Suwanee Talk"