I may be a bit delayed in sharing with you the the events that took place a couple weeks ago as Suwanee celebrated the opening of one more fabulous City park - White Street Park; but the excitement still lingers.

Unlike any other of its kind in the area, this is a community garden. Many of us came together back in April where we drilled holes in the pre-cut wood - which would become our garden boxes, assembled the planting boxes, dug holes in the dirt, set the planting boxes in the holes, spread rock, filled the boxes with quality planting soil. And when the labor of love was complete, the excitement rose to a whole new level as we began planting our flowers and vegetables.

In total construction of the community garden's 76 initial plots required:

• more than 500 volunteer hours
• 3.5 days
• 2,940 linear feet of lumber
• 912 bolts
• 36 tons of slate chips
• 3 tandem loads of soil

You see White Street Park is an organic community garden and Georgia's largest organic community garden. There are approximately 76 garden plots and the premise is based on square foot gardening. You may be asking yourself what is square foot gardening and I must admit I had not a clue until I became involved. It is quite simple actually. Essentially you divide your planting area up into 12 inch plots and within each square you plant either flowers or vegetables. It has been quite a rewarding experience I must admit. And probably some of the most fun comes from visiting the garden throughout the week to see what is growing but also to see what new creative garden decor someone has added to their plot.

As the Grand Opening was upon us many of the plots were in full bloom and the plants were majestic! The day's event included walking through the newly created butterfly garden, face painting for young and old alike, kids making lady bugs from crafts, cook out and so much more.

Finishing touches continue at White Street Park. We anxiously await the arrival of our resident chicks. Our hen house will be cared for by the gardners on a weekly rotation. Eggs laid during "your watch" will be yours to take home and enjoy with your family. I understand there was a contest in naming the chicks during the Grand Opening but I haven't heard the results.

As much fun as this has been and I feel certain it will continue to be, as gardners at the White Street Park, we will have the honor of sharing our produce with the local food bank as part of our giving back to the City of Suwanee and the residents of Suwanee.

Slideshow: White St. Pk Grand Opening: Comm Gardens - Slideshow





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       Chuck Warbington
        Executive Director
Gwinnett Village Improvement District
 

Norcross, GA (February 4, 2009) --- On the heels of the County's release of another year of double digit reduction in crime for the CID, the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District (GVCID) has announced implementation of phase 3 of their Targeted Enforcement Zone (TEZ) program by providing dedicated private security for the Gwinnett Village area.

In December 2008, GVCID contracted with Specialized Intelligence and Security (SIS) to provide dedicated private security for properties within the district. The team of private security officers will have four patrol vehicles providing continuous overnight coverage, 7 days a week, for the commercial areas of the CID.  When asked about the program Mark Lemke, public information representative for SIS said, "We are extremely happy to work with Gwinnett Village and we feel that there is a real opportunity to make an impact here. Our ultimate goal is to act as a crime deterrent by being as visible as possible in the community."

This initiative is an additional arm to Gwinnett Village CID's ongoing TEZ program. For the past two years, the CID contracted with Gwinnett County and Norcross Police to provide an additional layer of police coverage.  With the rollout of the private security patrols, the CID has budgeted $450,000 for all three phases in 2009.

"We are pleased with the results of 2 years of crime reduction efforts by Gwinnett County and the City of Norcross and we want to build upon that success with additional eyes and ears on the street," said Chuck Warbington, executive director of Gwinnett Village CID.

In April 2007, the GVCID board and Gwinnett County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve additional overtime police protection services for Gwinnett Village. In November 2007, the GVCID board and the City of Norcross voted unanimously to approve two full time officers dedicated to the CID area.  The patrols are exclusively funded by the CID and focus on suspicious activity, vehicles and persons in commercial areas of southwest Gwinnett County.

The results of the efforts by Gwinnett County, City of Norcross and the CID speaks for themselves.  In the past two years, there has been a significant decrease in overall crime within The Village. Vehicle break-ins, motor vehicle theft and commercial burglaries have declined 22, 21 and 10 percent respectively from 2006 (numbers gathered from the Westside precinct) even with a downturn in the economy.

Gwinnett County Chairman even indicated his positive support saying "Gwinnett County is becoming a safer place to live and work and the Gwinnett Village area is no exception. County government is working successfully with our CIDs to keep reducing violence, gang activity, drug dealing, and property crimes" Chairman Bannister

"We are certainly pleased with the results the Targeted Enforcement Zone Program has yielded thus far," said Warbington. "Gwinnett Village security will continue to be our top priority for 2009."

 ABOUT THE GWINNETT VILLAGE CID

The Gwinnett Village CID is a special benefit district supported by area commercial property owners which aims to improve  southwest Gwinnett County's aging infrastructure, security issues and property values. The mission of the Gwinnett Village CID is to increase property values, promote business development and improve the quality of life for all those who live, work and play in the village. Online at www.gwinnettvillage.com .

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This article has been posted with the express consent of the author. 

	DULUTH  REAL ESTATE  2008 vs. 2007
	DULUTH SOLDS 2008 Sold Homes: 812 Highest Price: $3,028,817 Lowest Price: $     38,500 List to Sale Ratio: 92% Days on Market: 95     DULUTH SOLDS 2007 Sold Homes: 1108 Highest Price: $2,800,000 Lowest Price: $     90,000 List to Sale Ratio: 97% Days on Market: 75     2008 Breakdown Corporate Owned:  84 Foreclosure:  150 Owner Transferred:  40 New Construction:  100 Lease/Purchase:  20 Resale:  418 2007 Breakdown Corporate Owned:  56 Foreclosure:  79 Owner Transferred:  47 New Construction:  144 Lease/Purchase:  14 Resale:  768 2008 vs 2007 Breakdown By Category CATEGORY Corporate Owned Foreclosure: Owner Transfer: New Construction: Lease/Purchase: Resale:  % CHANGE ↑50% ↑90% ↓15% ↓31% ↑43% ↓45.6%
	DULUTH SOLDS 2008 vs 2007 By COUNTY Gwinnett Forsyth Fulton 2008 627 61 124   2007 846 54 208 % Change ↓74% ↑13% ↓40% Information has been collected from the First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS). Data is believed to be accurate at the time of collecting data, but is not guaranteed.

                                     
                                      MySuwaneeHome.com

There was some glimmer of hope in September, 2008; but, what a difference a month makes. October number results are more gloomy than anticipated.

OVERALL ATLANTA  MARKET RECAP

• A decline of nearly 29% in closings for ALL residential properties was noted this month compared to a year ago.
• Ranks as the 23rd year-to-year percentage decline.
• According to RealtyTrac, Georgia's foreclosure inventory is declining; but, the state still ranks as one of the country's highest  in foreclosure inventory
• Home prices were down approximately 9% from a year ago
• 9,900 foreclosure filings in October
• Predications loom a 4.5% interest rate on NEW mortgage loans will be approved to help stimulate the housing market

A LOOK BACK OVER OCTOBER, 2008

Dan Forsman, CEO/Prudential Georgia Realty looking forward predicts:

1. New home builder starts will remain very low the remainder of 2008 into 2009
2. As a result of low new homes starts, this should help absorb the inventory of resales and bank owned properties
3. Foreclosures that become bank-owned properties will continue to impact our market the remainder of 2008 and 2009
4. Excess single home inventory will be absorbed and levels back to normal by 2010
5. New home starts will increase but at a slower pace in 2010 through 2012
6. Home values will remain flat through the remainder of 2008 and through most of 2009
7. Home values should start increasing in 2010 and 2011 as inventories decline and population grows
8. A Sellers market to return in the spring, 2011

Further Articles of Interest:
Atlanta Business Chronicle: Georgia Sixth-Highest in October Foreclosures
Realtor.org: Could Lower Rates Hurt Home Sales

Sleigh bells ring are you listening?

• enjoy the old town holiday festival and caboose lighting.
• watch as santa magically lights the red caboose
• sing along with the elementary choruses
• giggle with delight while enjoying a carriage ride
• stay warm with hot chocolate
• fill your tummy with yummy s'mores and cookies

Decreased demand in housing continues to plague our market; and with the current inventory levels, we are seeing an overall increase in days on market, particularly with town homes/condos, as well as declining home prices.

4,545 single family homes closed in August, 2008. 
(Down approximately 41% from a year ago.)

• 3,938 closings for single family detached homes compared to 5,412 closings in August, 2007:

1)      Average List Price August, 2008: $252,355
2)      Average Sold Price August, 2008:  $238,854
3)      Average DOM '08:  91

• 607 closings for townhomes/condos compared to 1,007 in August, 2007:

1)      Average List Price  August, 2008:  $193,797
2)      Average Sold Price August, 2008:  $183,842
3)      Average DOM '08:  105

Interest rates are still very favorable, but economic instability seems to be keeping some buyers at a distance. All conventional and FHA down payment assistance programs come to an end on September 30 which will push some buyers out of the market entirely. In its place will be the required 3% down....at least until January, 2009.

Despite the tightening of mortgage loans, with our current housing prices and the inflated inventory levels, the current real estate market in Atlanta is definitely tilted in favor of the buyer. However, with current oil prices and financial market instability it may take some encouraging news to get buyers back in the game - particularly if they do not have to buy now.

Although the news each month seems like doom and gloom, homes in the Atlanta market are selling.  It does require more work on the home owner's part compared to years gone by. But, when we look back at the 2008 Atlanta real estate market stats, despite all the bad news, billions in dollars will have sold in our market. To increase your chances of success, preparation is the key: Make sure your home is pristine, be willing to price ahead of the curve and be patient. You can be one of the successes!

*Data believed accurate, but is not guaranteed.

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The 25^th Suwanee Day Festival kicked off with the traditional parade. As a long time resident of Suwanee - 21 years to be exact, but first time volunteer, I awoke at 5:45 a.m. to start my day. After a quick detour for my morning brew at Starbuck's, I found my way to the back parking lot of Suwanee Town Center - still half asleep! I parked my car and walked a respectable distance along Buford Hwy. in the dark (a risk I was willing to take....) and arrived promptly to my destination on Main Street in Historic Suwanee at 7 a.m. as instructed!

Once I received my t-shirt marking me as an "official" volunteer and given my assignment, I was off and running. Fortunately it wasn't too taxing of a responsibility and I had plenty of good company. In short, as the parade participants filtered in, we directed them to their place in the parade's procession.  And, come they did! Floats of every design found their place in line preparing to travel through the streets of downtown Suwanee: Pawplex of Suwanee participated bringing along several of their adorable four-legged friends, North Gwinnett Marching Band, Peachtree Ridge High school pageant winners, Sugar Hill Methodist Veterans, Brownie Girl Scout Troop #1214, Riverside Elementary and many, many more.

Once everyone was in place and all were accounted for, it was off to the races (well,...may be a slow procession is more appropriate) at 9:45 a.m. - just as scheduled: Along Main Street, down Russell Road, North on Buford Hwy to Lawrenceville-Suwanee and back to Main Street where they started. The streets were lined with children of all ages with smiles and laughter echoing through the morning air. As the parade found its way back down Main Street, organized chaos ensued as everyone began to disassemble and make their way to Suwanee Town Center where the festival was kicking off - for the 25^th year in a row.

There was no mistaking the day's event for anyone who drove by the Town Center located at the corner of Buford Hwy. and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. The Park was adorned in white tents where crafters displayed their wares and food carts lined the streets. Children could be seen running from one place to another in laughter as they enjoyed the rock climbing wall as well as a myriad of rides and games clearly intended for the enjoyment of kids of all ages. And, music filled the air from the amphi-theatre through-out the day with a wonderful skit performed by the knights from Medieval Times. The day was topped off with country music later in the evening and a fireworks display.

A long day indeed...but fun it was!!!!

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By: Chuck Warbington, PE - Executive Director, Gwinnett Village CID

As the dust continues to settle over the July primary elections and we analyze the results, Gwinnett took a major step in setting a positive course for our future with the passage of the Redevelopment Powers Law.  This new policy allows the County to encourage positive change in depressed and declining areas of the County through a creative financing mechanism.

The ballot question, referenced as the Redevelopment Powers Law, centers around the use of Tax Allocation Districts (TADs).  TADs allow local governments to leverage private investment to pay for infrastructure and other community improvements in declining or blighted areas so that those areas can become safe, attractive and productive parts of the community again.  As property within one of these areas is redeveloped and improved by private investment, the County uses the increment on the tax revenues as a result of the increase in property value to fund the improvements in the defined area.

So why was this so important to the future success of Gwinnett?

First, Gwinnett County is one of a handful of counties in the metro-Atlanta region that did not have this mechanism in place.  47 states through the nation currently use this financing tool and Gwinnett has consistently been put in a competitive economic disadvantage for projects.  As seen across the nation over the past 50 years, the track record of TADs indicate a significant role in attracting high quality, sustainable developments to blighted neighborhoods.

Second, this tool will encourage new economic investment by the private community in depressed and blighted areas.  Private investors have consistently focused on green field development in Gwinnett due to the fact that development costs are 30% to 40% cheaper to remove forest and trees rather than demolishing an existing shopping center and starting over with a new high quality and sustainable development.  TADs will level the playing field and encourage investors to seek out blighted and depressed properties to redevelop.  Since TADs have been used in Georgia, direct private investment in these districts have now totaled just under $18 billion dollars.  One example is the Atlantic Steel brownfield site in mid-town that was once an abandoned environmental hazard and is now a positive economic engine for mid-town Atlanta.

The Gwinnett Village CID is very pleased to add this to our redevelopment tool belt as we continue our mission of providing positive change to the southern part of the County.  For a more in depth look at TADs in Gwinnett, visit www.gwinnetttads.com . 

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This month the city of Suwanee will begin the process of updating the 2002 Old Town Master Plan.In a collaborative effort, city officials, residents and consultants will attempt to blend old with new, past with present. 

Quiet, quaint, and once the hub of Suwanee's business district, Historic Old Town is a short distance southwest of Suwanee Town Center.  Just off Buford Highway, which runs directly through Suwanee, buildings like Pierce's Corner Antiques and Rhodes House are reminiscent of days gone by, yet are still an integral part of Suwanee.  By revamping the 2002 Old Town Master Plan, city officials will attempt to merge Historic Old Town Suwanee and Suwanee Town Center into one unique Suwanee downtown area.

To that end, the city has contracted with Ecos Environmental Design (EED), an Atlanta-based firm specializing in landscape architecture and urban design. EED will spend six-to-nine months leading the downtown master developmental committee. The estimated cost of the initial planning process is approximately $85,000. 

In orchestrating a viable plan, public input will be sought by EED, county officials and a combined group of approximately fifteen residents and business owners.  The initial process begins this month, with open Suwanee community meetings beginning in October.  

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