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LAWRENCEVILLE STANDING STRONG
IN RESPONSE TO CRISIS Lawrenceville Standing Strong
BY BETH SLAUGHTER SEXTON STAFF CORRESPONDENT
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Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that economically and emotionally flattened cities and towns across America, the City of Lawrenceville has come through the battle with its flag still flying and a list of accomplishments that would make Commodore James Lawrence salute. Lawrenceville, named for the famous commander of the frigate Chesapeake during the War of 1812, and incorporated in 1821, is the second oldest city in metro Atlanta and continues to be an example to other communities on how to lead, serve and succeed.
“As a Lawrenceville native, my love for this city and its residents runs deep,” Lawrenceville Mayor David Still said. “The pride I have in my community has grown exponentially as I have witnessed the innovative responses of our citizens, leaders, faith-based organizations, non-profits and businesses over the past three months in dealing with COVID-19, an economic decline and the discussions on racial tensions exposed recently in other cities in our country.
“I am proud to be Lawrenceville's mayor and excited for our future as we all work in unison with all our partners on these issues.”
Once COVID-19 became a pandemic, the county seat of Gwinnett was swift to act. In mid-March, the Lawrenceville City Council declared a local state of emergency, which provided for the creation of designated lanes on the square for downtown merchants to use for drive-through and curbside service, as well as allowed city restaurants to offer beer and wine sales with take-out orders, and delayed the due date for alcohol excise tax payments for restaurants licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
The local emergency order also allowed the city council to conduct meetings and take votes via teleconference. The city maintained communication through its website and social media and through a special COVID-19 webpage, which included links to important resources and information from Gov. Brian Kemp's office.
City staff worked in shifts to keep the city operational. All city buildings were closed in support of public health, leaving the City Hall drivethrough open for customers to make utility payments. Payment plans and deposit refunds were offered to qualifying utility customers during the pandemic. Convenience fees were also removed from online credit card payments for utility services. A new Lawrenceville Utilities site was launched to provide additional online services for utility customers and to decrease the need for customers to visit City Hall.
In February, downtownlawrencevillega.com was launched as the new tourism site for the City of Lawrenceville, along with a new Instagram handle, @The_DTL, providing two specialized locations for visitors and residents to find details on shopping, dining and entertainment. Throughout COVID-19, this site was used as a location to share the current status of Lawrenceville's downtown businesses.
Amazingly, during these difficult days, Lawrenceville's businesses stepped up to make a difference in the community. Universal Joint, Cosmo's Little Italy and Blue Rooster Bake Shop & Eatery on the Square worked together to provide meals for the COVID health care teams at Northside Hospital Gwinnett. Universal Joint recently shared on Facebook they have served 2,000 meals to Northside Hospital Gwinnett workers since March.
“Many of our businesses were quite innovative during the pandemic,” City of Lawrenceville's Director of Community Relations Melissa Hardegree said. “Universal Joint converted to a family market type business. Local Republic closed for a period of time, but reopened and offered a similar service and has now fully reopened. AR Workshop offered weekly art projects customers can pick up curbside. Fleet Feet offered virtual shoe fittings and curbside pick-up. Cotton Lace Market completely renovated their store during the pandemic and recently held a grand reopening. Performance Power Yoga live-streamed yoga classes to customers from their studio. It was so popular that once the studio reopened for classes, they are continuing to offer some livestream classes. “Aurora Theatre continues unique digital performances online throughout the pandemic. Galactic Quest offered curbside pick-up of comic books to their loyal customers and is now reopened. Sweet Joy Ice Cream offered curbside delivery of delicious treats. Slow Pour Brewing Company, Gwinnett’s first brewery, created a special beer called “Thank You” and gave away free packs of beer to first responders while supplies lasted. These are just a few examples of our innovative and dedicated merchants in downtown Lawrenceville.” In response to COVID-19, the City of Lawrenceville designated $125,000 in matching funds for the Lawrenceville Response Center, a partnership between the city, Impact46, the Lawrenceville Housing Authority, Georgia Center for Opportunity, Lawrenceville Co-Operative ministry, Home First Gwinnett and other non-profits. The purpose is to create an emergency intake center as well as develop a long-term sustainability model for services to vulnerable Lawrenceville families/ residents. The LRC refers residents to industry leaders in the following areas: Homelessness prevention, income loss recovery, and food distribution. In May, the cities of Lawrenceville, Duluth and Suwanee jointly announced their decision to cancel all special events through the end of July in support of public health, Hardegree said. On Sept. 11, the newly renovated Lawrenceville Lawn will open with a Live at The DTL concert and fireworks spectacular. The city is completing a $1.5 million renovation to the Lawrenceville Lawn, which includes an amphitheater, arbor shades for tables, additional bathrooms and public parking. In April, the City of Lawrenceville expanded its #LightLawrencevilleBlue program, which traditionally honors police, to include a #LightItBlue aspect, honoring health care workers and other front line heroes. Citizens purchased blue light bulbs from corporate sponsor Renasant Bank’s drive-through window. All proceeds benefit the Police Benevolent Fund. City Hall and other buildings are now reopened, as have many downtown businesses and Lawrenceville is once again looking forward to a bright future. Cranes currently dot the skyline on multiple construction sites. Currently under construction downtown are the Expanded Lawrenceville Performing Arts Center, The Lawrence Hotel and Parking Deck, the SouthLawn Development, Iron Shield Brewing, Lawrenceville Lawn Renovation, LPAC OutParcel Mixed-Use Project, School of the Arts at Central Gwinnett High School and the final phase of the College Corridor linear park.
