As I reflect on 2015, I’m filled with pride at our accomplishments. I proclaimed 2015 as “The Year of Public Works,” and we kept to that ideal. We delivered a year of marked improvements, procedural advancements, community discussion and looking ahead. We made significant road improvements and undertook a variety of plans to propel us forward in a smart and thoughtful way.
Among our more notable achievements, our Public Works Department widened a portion of Jones Bridge Road from two to four lanes and added landscaped medians and sidewalks. We also began construction on roundabouts at Bell and Boles Roads and at Crossington and Sargent Roads. We launched a multi-year effort to repave our neighborhood streets, resurfacing 34 miles of roadway in 34 neighborhoods. The City partnered with Waze, the world’s largest group-sourced navigation network, to provide motorists with timely traffic information and to learn more about traffic patterns.
The Johns Creek Fire Department’s hard work led to improved citywide fire safety ratings used by insurance companies, saving residents and businesses money. The department added a new, custom-made swift water rescue boat that improved response time saving people in the Chattahoochee River. Our police department began carrying special medication in each vehicle that reverses effects of heroin overdose.
In our parks, the City conducted a 5-month-long study in which we surveyed thousands of residents and parks users about what they want to see in our park system. After exhaustive research and analysis, we developed a draft to guide park investments for the next decade. While the parks study was underway, we installed public art and upgraded some of our playgrounds, including equipment for kids with special needs. We expanded our Parks Without Borders program with Alpharetta to include recreational baseball and lacrosse. We also purchased land for a neighborhood pocket park on Morton Road.
In one of our most notable achievements, we purchased 133 acres on the Chattahoochee River for a park, addressing a stated desire by the public for more park land. More discussion is required before we will move forward with any development.
The City also worked with a consultant to develop a Strategic Economic Development Plan (SEDP) draft. The SEDP represents a citywide strategy to make Johns Creek competitive, while protecting the City’s outstanding residential quality of life.
Although not required until 2017, the Community Development Department has already begun updating its 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The review will include diverse interest groups and encompass land use and development ordinances to refine the City’s strategic land use plan.
We finished the year as the safest city in Georgia and ranked third best city to live in the U.S. In 2016, the City plans to build on the accomplishments of 2015, move projects forward, improve the lives of our citizens and sustain our high quality of life. I am proud to represent our exceptional City and look forward to 2016.
to your business!