All News Releases

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 14, 2011) - Water quality in local streams could get better now that old paper records showing the location of septic tanks and drain fields in Gwinnett County have gone electronic. Most homes without sewer service use a septic system.

What:              Approximately 20 seniors from Lawrenceville, Buford, and Bethesda Park senior centers will be gathering to compete in a billiards tournament at the Lawrenceville Senior Center.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 17, 2011) - A new, $277 million wastewater treatment plant starting up operations this week will allow Gwinnett water officials to shut down six older, smaller plants that are much less efficient. One of the old plants is on the same site as the new one, on the Yellow River off Tom Smith Road between Lilburn and Lawrenceville.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 21, 2011) - Today commissioners approved the use of SPLOST sales tax dollars to renovate the indoor lap and instructional pools at the Collins Hill Park Aquatic Center in Lawrenceville and the Mountain Park Aquatic Center in Stone Mountain. Renovations include sandblasting, bonding and plaster installation as well as replacement of pool tiles, gutter grates, lights and skimmers. The inside of the Collins Hill Aquatic Center will also be painted.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 22, 2011) - Gwinnett County will soon refinance debt from 2003 to take advantage of today's lower interest rates. All three bond-rating agencies gave the $166 million bond refunding their top-tier, AAA credit ratings. The move could save the County, and the respective water and sewer customers, as much as $7.5 million when it refinances the bonds in late June in a negotiated sale.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 22, 2011) - Gwinnett County fees for solid waste and stormwater services are legal and constitutional, according to a court order issued by Superior Court Judge Michael Clark on June 9. He said the County has the authority to contract with private companies to provide those services, to charge the fees on the property tax bill and to collect the fees as far in advance as is reasonably necessary.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 24, 2011) - Rock Springs Road will get a safety improvement soon after the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday accepted the lowest of 10 bids from GP's Enterprises, Inc., of Auburn for $777,708. Workers will realign about a third of a mile north of Winslow Ridge Drive both horizontally and vertically and install new paving, curb and gutter, sidewalks and striping.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 24, 2011) - About 1,600 feet of streambed on property at Grayson High School and the nearby Watson's Grove subdivision will be restored to protect the water quality, habitat, biology and overall health of Brushy Fork Creek. Commissioners on Tuesday awarded a contract for $536,881 to Georgia Development Partners LLC of Atlanta, the lowest of six bidders.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 28, 2011) - The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners approved a revised fiscal year 2011 budget on Tuesday. This customary process adjusts the current year's spending plan to address changes that have taken place since the Board adopted the 2011 budget in January.

(Lawrenceville, June 29, 2011) - Gwinnett commissioners recently renewed a contract with three construction companies to acquire, rehabilitate and manage the sale of foreclosed single family housing using grant funds. Gwinnett's Neighborhood Stabilization Program has helped 136 families buy homes in distressed areas since accepting grants from HUD and the state Department of Community Affairs last year. The County used the money to buy and renovate 89 single-family homes and a 92-unit townhome complex.

WHAT: All offices, with the exception of those operations required for the comfort and safety of the citizens of Gwinnett County, will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 27, 2011) - Gwinnett will undertake plumbing, mechanical and air conditioning retrofits in 41 County buildings, including some fire stations, parks and the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, to help reduce utility costs by about $220,000 per year.

(Lawrenceville, GA., June 29, 2011) – July is designated National Park and Recreation Month and Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation (GCPR) is kicking off the celebration with special events including music, games, swimming, food and more! This year, GCPR is introducing two new members eager to explore the wonderful parks in Gwinnett County. The lovable characters are Flat Ray and Flat Rosie, based on the Flat Stanley project. The characters’ coloring pages can be downloaded from www.gwinnettparks.com or young artists can stop by any of the Community Recreation Centers to pick up coloring pages and participate throughout the month. GCPR is encouraging everyone to have their pictures taken with Flat Ray and Rosie exploring the parks. Pictures can be emailed to parks@gwinnettcounty.com and will be featured on the website throughout the month.

GCPR is also sponsoring an art show. Artwork depicting the theme “Explore Your Park” can be submitted by park patrons to any Community Recreation Center. The art will be displayed throughout the month of July.

“Park and Recreation Month reminds citizens of the vital role that parks and recreation play in Gwinnett’s communities,” said Tina Fleming, Director of Operations, Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation. “I can’t think of a better reason for citizens to get out and experience the positive health effects, social interaction, and connection to nature that comes with a vibrant and supported park system.”

There will be several events at various parks during July, where GCPR staff and sponsors will share ways for citizens to “Get Up, Get Out, and Explore their Parks.”
National Park & Recreation Month Events are as follows:

Date Event Time Location
July 8 Brown Bag Concert 10 a.m. Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
July 13 Bark at the Park 10 a.m. Rabbit Hill Park
July 15 Therapeutic Recreation* 6:30 p.m. Dacula Park Activity Building
Family Fun Night
July 23 National Hot Dog Day 10 a.m. Bay Creek Park
July 28 InterCamp Games 10 a.m. Bogan Park
July 30 Splash & Bash 1 p.m. Rhodes Jordan Park Pool
*Therapeutic Recreation offers specialized and inclusive programs for those with special needs.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 29, 2011) - The 11^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling on the water wars between Georgia, Alabama and Florida on Tuesday. The three-judge panel overturned Senior U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson's ruling that water supply was not an "authorized purpose" of the Buford Dam project. The court clearly stated that water supply had equal footing with the other authorized purposes of flood control, navigation and power generation. The July 17, 2012, injunction is lifted, allowing Gwinnett to continue to get its raw water from Lake Lanier.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 30, 2011) - The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved $1.4 million in funding for water and sewer relocation work for the upcoming State Route 316 intersection improvement project. The approval followed a vote by the Gwinnett County Water and Sewerage Authority during a special called meeting earlier in the day.

(Gwinnett County, Ga., July 6, 2011) - Gwinnett Senior Services is looking for transportation providers that serve Gwinnett County for its new transportation voucher program called Get In Gear. The new program will help seniors 60 years or better and disabled persons get around the county to attend medical appointments and other essential destinations at a reduced cost.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., July 12, 2011) - Water pressure for some homes and businesses in northern Gwinnett may drop a bit on Wednesday while the County water department makes repairs to a leaking 48-inch water main.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., July 19, 2011) - Gwinnett transportation officials received formal approval Tuesday to begin installing more traffic cameras and fiber-optic cables to monitor arterial and corridor traffic flow and allow real-time, remote control adjustments from the Gwinnett Traffic Control Center in two congested areas.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., July 19, 2011) - Twelve miles of aging water mains in 15 different subdivisions and along key sections of residential roads in and around Snellville, Lilburn, Norcross, Hoschton and Sugar Hill and over a mile of old, frequently clogged sewer lines in Lawrenceville will be replaced under contracts approved Tuesday by the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., July 19, 2011) - Gwinnett commissioners were briefed Tuesday on a recommendation for how to use federal housing dollars next year. The annual application for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and other assistance is due to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in November.