Norcross Mayor Craig Newton, nearing his ninth year in office, said his priorities for the coming year are to keep essential services dependable, manage costs, invest in walkability, and “help people participate in shaping growth.”
The Oct. 27 State of the City address saw about 100 community members and municipal employees pack the community room at the new Norcross Public Safety Building on Buford Highway.
Newton said the city has grown since he was elected, citing a roughly 50% increase in median household income and a 15% increase in population.
“That’s great; that growth is a sign that they have confidence in our community,” Newton said. “But it also raises an important question for me: How do we keep Norcross affordable?”
What’s new and coming soon
This year, Norcross has cut the ribbon on its state-of-the-art $27 million public safety center, welcomed new employers like Pella, and is close to breaking ground on the $15 million Norcross Greenway.
“There’s a great deal of work we can be proud of; there are also issues that we still need to work through,” Newton said. “Norcross has limited land available … redevelopment can be expensive, and residents have different views about the right scale and the location for new growth.”
Newton mentioned several proposed redevelopment projects around the city, including the Canopy at Crooked Creek, Magnolia Grove, housing at Britt Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard, and Hunter Street redevelopment.
“These projects are in different stages,” Newton said. “Proposals need to be reviewed, and plans can change. Our responsibility is to evaluate them carefully with attention to infrastructure, traffic, housing, and community character.”
Newton said city officials are looking to expand the city’s stock of affordable housing and owner-occupied options for working households and first-time home buyers.
“We need honest conversations about tradeoffs,” he said. “We also need timely information so that people, our citizens, can participate before the decisions are made.”
Newton cited new housing developments, like the Legacy at Walton Crossing and 70 affordable senior apartments at Sage5430, and others on the way, like the Academy Street subdivision and the North Park Cottages.
“They will add another type of housing downtown,” he said. “Because no single development meets every housing need.”
Highlighting community members
The address opened and closed by highlighting community members making a difference, including a city employee, a local business owner, and two caring neighbors.
Newton recognized Mariano Diaz, maintenance coordinator for the city’s public works and parks department, and Shiv Aggarwal, who opened his first Norcross business in 1987. Aggarwal later opened Global Mall in 2001, which now supports more than 100 retail and professional businesses.
“Mariano helps to make a park a place someone wants to visit,” Newton said. “Shiv has helped to create a place where families and businesses can thrive and grow. And their work continues to be a part of other people’s lives.”
Two other community members honored at the address were Prayer Walkers Donna Glaze and Tyne Willis. The duo regularly walks around historic downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, picks up trash, and prays.
“I want to ask every one of you to become a part of the next chapter of Norcross’ story,” Newton said. “When you have a concern, bring it forward. Help us to understand what is happening in your neighborhood and what it would take to make a difference.”
