Majority of Large Trees on Cemetery Street will be Lost if DOT Plans Not Modified

Using funds obtained from the Atlanta Regional Commission for the Livable Cities Initiative (LCI) and from the Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant, the City of Norcross plans to widen the Cemetery Street gateway by 15 feet on either side. Given the type of buildings planned for Cemetery Street, most all interior trees and existing vegetation will be lost due to excavation. The city plans to compensate a number of property owners for the frontage taken.

Because this area has been older residential property with large lots and canopy of older trees, we enjoyed a natural buffer from the noise and commercialism of Buford Highway. Soon, busy Buford Highway will appear very close to our oasis, historic Main Street of Norcross. This area of Cemetery Street is south of Main Street, about one block from Dominick's Restaurant.

Why widen Cemetery Street?

The reason is not clear. The proposal was submitted in 2005 to the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) without City Council Approval, neither citizens nor their elected council representatives had an opportunity to review and offer input. The former Director of Community Development, Mr. Johnny Lawler, utilizing the LCI and TE grant funding, planned the widening of Cemetery Street and additional parking around Skin Alley.

In 2005, the city hired a grant writer, Mr. Jack Burnside, to assist Mr. Lawler, in the grant application process. Burnside was to be paid a percentage based on the overall project costs. Burnside's contract with the city was later modified to manage the work and work with the designers, Precision Planning, again for a percentage of the project' costs.

But the problem is now. While Mr. Lawler gave occasional verbal updates, the full City Council of 2005 was never presented any plans to physically review or vote on. With Mr. Lawler's retirement in December 2005, the 2006/2007 City Council with three entirely new members is left with a disconnect as to what the Cemetery Street project accomplishes and its status. This problem is also inherited by the newly hired City Administrator Warren Hutmacher and Community Development Director Jennifer Peterson.

What can be done?

An opportunity to refine the street-widening proposal still exists if citizens want to be heard. We understand after the laborious process of preparing and submitting the contract proposal to the DOT, Change Orders can be written and submitted. If the plan is implemented in the present form, undoubtedly, cross-county rush hour traffic will increase as more Holcombe Bridge traffic will flow into Cemetery Street to Buford Highway, and two irreplaceable historic houses will be lost, as well as a tree-lined and charming shaded gateway.

Please contact all Council members and the Mayor with your concerns or send an email from this website. City Hall telephone is number is 770-448-2122.