As we prepare for 2017 and all the promise a new year holds, let’s review the highlights of 2016.2016 began with the approval of Johns Creek’s first Strategic Economic Development Plan (SEDP) (JohnsCreekGa.gov/business/economicdevelopmentplan), which will serve as a blueprint for retaining and expanding local businesses.
We then followed the adoption of the SEDP with approval of the 10-year Strategic Recreation and Parks Master Plan (JohnsCreekGa.gov/Recreation-Parks-Strategic-Plan), which provides direction and options for planning, development and refinement of Johns Creek’s recreation and parks system through the next decade.
Johns Creek more than doubled its greenspace in 2016, to more than 300 acres with the purchases of the Cauley Creek riverfront property and a linear park in Technology Park. Our outside consultants held public meetings to include public feedback in designing both properties and our three new pocket parks—State Bridge Road, Bell-Boles Road and Morton (JohnsCreekGa.gov/RecreationandParks/Parks-Design-Project).
Citizens overwhelmingly approved a parks bond for up to $40 million that will allow Johns Creek to move forward with these and other identified park improvements at an accelerated pace. Once complete, Johns Creek will have five new parks and four refurbished parks (Shakerag, Newtown, Ocee and Autrey Mill Nature Preserve).
Following the passage of the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST), Johns Creek has the opportunity to collect up to approximately $82 million in TSPLOST funds over a five-year period, which will enable us to more aggressively address our growing traffic congestion challenge. The City Council has already approved a TSPLOST project list (JohnsCreekGa.gov/Residents/Public-Works/Future-Improvements/TSPLOST-(1)/TSPLOST) to improve every major traffic artery, and we are anxious to get started.
Johns Creek completed its second year of the neighborhood-repaving program this past November. Repaving crews resurfaced 34.1 miles of streets in 26 subdivisions. The City increased funding for the repaving program from $1.5 million to $5 million in fiscal year 2016 in an effort to accelerate the repaving program timeline from 2019 to 2018.
The City Council next focused on the development and approval of Johns Creek’s new mission, vision and six key focus areas/goals to better meet and address the needs of residents and businesses (JohnsCreekGa.gov/NewsAndEvents/News-Archive/2016-News/Johns-Creek-Mayor-Bodker-Outlines-New-Mission,-Vis).
2016 was a historic year for Johns Creek. We were named the safest and hardest working city in Georgia and recognized as one of the top cities to live in the U.S. We’ve truly accomplished a lot in a relatively short period of time (JohnsCreekGa.gov/live-work-play.aspx).
Our dedicated first responders put their lives at risk to keep us safe, our staff consistently goes above and beyond to maintain our high quality of life, and our City Council works diligently to keep us moving forward.
However, it all comes down to the quality of the people who comprise a community that ultimately determines its character, and Johns Creek is truly blessed with the best. Our diverse population is but one of our strengths. So together, let’s work to make the next ten years even more exceptional than the last.
to your business!