The Norcross City Council approved a couple of items at its Oct. 5 meeting that advance plans for a major path and park project and support an ongoing citywide public art initiative.
Elected officials also approved a resolution honoring the legacy of Council Member Marshall Cheek after approving a new policy and procedure for naming city-owned assets.
Buford Highway (State Route 13) splits the city of Norcross in half, with the historic district and higher-income neighborhoods to the northwest and, to the southeast, a more multiethnic community of homeowners, renters, and residents of extended-stay hotels. The city has plans for the Buford Highway corridor to connect the two communities in one of the state’s most diverse cities.
Piedmont Pathway concept approved
Council members unanimously accepted the draft Norcross Piedmont Pathway Concept Report for final publication, positioning the city to compete for future federal grant funding.
Public Works Director Len Housley said the council’s acceptance of the report does not commit construction funding. The next anticipated grant application opportunity through the Atlanta Regional Commission is in early 2028, with awards expected in 2029
The proposed 2.55-mile, 12-foot-wide shared-use trail and linear park would connect Best Friend Park with Mitchell Road and the Beaver Ruin Greenway. The Norcross segment would become part of Gwinnett County’s planned 28-mile Piedmont Pathway, a regional trail system connecting to DeKalb, Fulton, and Barrow counties.
The concept report outlines the proposed project and options for completing it in four phases. Current estimates place trail costs at $28.21 million, with a federal contribution of about $22.5 million and a city match of $5.71 million.
Proposed park enhancements would require additional funding, estimated at $6.35 million. Future matching funds would be considered in connection with the next SPLOST program, a city memo said.
White Squirrel Art Hunt grant
The city also accepted a $9,600 Gwinnett Creativity Fund Placemaking Grant to support the White Squirrels at Pinnacle Park project. Awarded to the Norcross Public Arts Commission, the grant supports the creation and revitalization of public spaces.
Funding will be provided in two $4,800 installments, with the second installment contingent on submission and approval of a final report, according to a city memo.
Two commission members, Chair Liz Simpson and Jacques Murphy, updated council on the ongoing project during public comment, announcing the installation of seven new sculptures around historic downtown.
The project expands the popular White Squirrel of Norcross Art Hunt, bringing public art to more of the community and creating additional opportunities for residents and visitors to explore Norcross. Council approved the Pinnacle Park expansion as the project’s second phase in May.
Simpson said the delivery of the “traveling” squirrel statue Lucy has been delayed and is expected by the holidays, which would complete phase one. There are currently 12 statues in the art hunt.
After a community naming survey of six squirrels, the commission let staff at the Norcross branch of the Gwinnett County Library System choose a name for the squirrel. They selected Bilbo, referencing “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien.
