(Lawrenceville, Ga., April 22, 2026) – County officials cut the ribbon on Tuesday for the creatively designed crosswalks at Eli Drive and Whaley Court along Hewatt Road, highlighting the value of placemaking and public art.

The crosswalks feature bold, colorful designs created in partnership with artist Angela Bortone, who drew inspiration from community members, teachers and art students from Shiloh High School.

During a community engagement event in summer 2025, the County received 67 design concepts, highlighting local character and values. After assessing these designs for common themes, the artist selected and produced two final designs, “Currents” and “Connections,” inspired by concepts from a Shiloh High School student and teacher.

“Currents” features two koi fish circling in a pond. Koi fish symbolize unity, perseverance and inclusivity. “Connections” drew inspiration from the County’s kaleidoscope and evolved to accommodate roadway safety requirements while maintaining the joyful energy of the original concept.

As part of recommendations highlighted in the County’s Killian Hill Small Area Plan, the community saw a need for pedestrian-focused placemaking around the Shiloh cluster of schools.

Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson said the project honors the community’s contributions to land use planning efforts and shows the County’s ongoing commitment to prioritizing placemaking with future growth of Gwinnett.

“Cultivating a strong sense of place is increasingly important in driving economic growth, community engagement and safety,” said Chairwoman Hendrickson. “This project emphasizes how placemaking is more than just art — it’s a tool to protect our residents, bring them together and make our shared public spaces more vibrant.”

To further enhance pedestrian safety and comfort, Gwinnett County upgraded all lighting fixtures along this stretch of Hewatt Road to LED fixtures and will be conducting a speed study of the road throughout this year.