“We are, of course, a nation of differences. Those differences...are the source of our strength.”

- Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter Boulevard is one of the most unique corridors within Gwinnett County. Highly diverse and home to many beloved businesses, the shopping centers along Jimmy Carter Boulevard are often buzzing with activity. However, the area faces several challenges, such as a lack of safe pedestrian infrastructure, affordability challenges, limited open spaces for community gatherings, heavy traffic, and restricted mobility options.

The Jimmy Carter Boulevard Small Area Plan will set a vision for how this area should improve over the next 20 years. Your input is needed — get involved and share your vision for Jimmy Carter Boulevard!

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The Jimmy Carter Boulevard Small Area Plan will shape the future of this corridor for the next 20 years. Funded through the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Livable Centers Initiative program with matching funds provided by Gwinnett County, the Jimmy Carter Boulevard Small Area Plan will guide future development policies and infrastructure investments, fostering vibrant communities that attract residents, visitors, and unique experiences.

Collaborating with the diverse communities who live, visit, and work in the Jimmy Carter Boulevard area is essential to the success of the plan. The plan will cover the following three main themes:

1. Redevelopment: This topic explores housing expansion, including affordable options, while identifying retail, services, and entertainment that best serve the community. It also considers mixed-use development, co-working spaces, and small business support to foster a lively, inclusive environment.
   
   
2. Infrastructure: This topic focuses on improving mobility, safety, and accessibility by reducing travel times, integrating bike lanes, sidewalks, and transit options to create a more efficient transportation network. It also addresses infrastructure upgrades and stormwater challenges.
   
   
3. Placemaking: This topic focuses on strengthening the corridor’s identity through new open spaces, public art, and enhanced landscaping. It explores better wayfinding for accessibility and considers community events that foster connection and celebrate local character.

About Jimmy Carter Boulevard

Jimmy Carter Boulevard was built in the 1970s, named after then-Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter. Starting as a suburban, auto-centric corridor, the area has transformed into one of the most culturally diverse areas of Gwinnett County. The area is home to a vibrant tapestry of restaurants, shops, and businesses representing a mix of cultures and ethnicities from across the world. Yet, infrastructure and development patterns haven’t changed over time to meet the needs of the community — including a variety of attainable housing types, more mobility options, new walkable development, and an established sense of place.

The future of this community is important to all who use it, including residents, visitors, businesses, and employers. As this area grows and evolves, redevelopment can help reinforce a strong community identity that weaves the corridor together. The vision established by this plan will help create a place where people can live, work, and ultimately thrive. 

Project Timeline

• Phase 1: Initial Planning – spring and summer 2025
• Phase 2: Refinements – fall 2025 through winter 2026
• Phase 3: Final Plan – spring and summer 2026
• Phase 4: Anticipated Adoption – fall 2026

Do you have ideas for shaping the future of the Jimmy Carter Boulevard area? We want to hear from you! Join us for exciting engagement activities to share your vision of how the community could improve. Check out the opportunities below — we hope to see you there!