Spring 2014

Kennesaw Mayor & CouncilMarkMathewsCrisWelshTimKillingsworthLeonardChurchDebraWilliamsJimSebastianMayorCouncilPost1 CouncilPost2CouncilPost3CouncilPost4CouncilPost5404-392-8554 678-266-0885678-873-7146404-441-4985404-849-0948 404-822-5407

TwomajordevelopmentprojectsonoppositesidesofthecitythatwillchangethefaceofKennesawaremakingrecentheadlines.Ithaslongbeenamajorgoalofcityleaderstoattractinvestmentanddevelopmentinthedowntowndistrict.ThemixeduseprojectenvisionedwhenpropertywasacquiredatMainStreetandWattsDrivewillbeginconstructioninthespring.Thisprojectincludesluxuryrentalapartmentsaswellasretailspace.Thedeveloper,SouthCityPartners,isthesamefirmthatworkedwiththecityontheWest22studenthousingprojectonCherokeeStreet.Inconjunctionwiththisproject,thispastMarch,bondsweresoldwhichwillcoverthecostofnewparkingfacili-tieswithinthedevelopment.Adeckwillprovidepark-ingforapartmentrenters,diners,shoppers,andCityHallcustomersandstaff.Additionalpublicparkingwillbeprovidedinnewon-streetspacesandasurfacelot.Thebondissuancewasthefinalstepthatlaidtheground-workfortheprojecttofinallygetunderway.Thebuild-outisexpectedtolast19monthsandbecompletedbythesummerof2015.AlthoughyoucananticipatesometrafficissuesonbothMainStreetandWattsDriveduringcon-struction,itwillbewellworththeinconveniencetoseethedowntowndistrictcomealive.

Thesecondmajorprojectinvolvesoneofthebusiestcor-nersinCobbCounty,CobbParkwayatBarrettParkway.Atlanta-basedFuquaDevelopmenthas52acresundercon-tractandplanstobuilda450,000squarefootretail/town-homedevelopment.WholeFoodsMarket,thenaturalandorganicfoodsgrocerystore,hascommittedtobeoneoftheshoppingcenteranchors.Itishopedanotheranchorwillbeabig-boxsportinggoodsstore,anddemographicstudiesdonebythedeveloperwillhelpthemdecidewhatmixofstoreswillworkbest.Thelocationofthepropertysituatedonlyamileeastoftwobusyinterstatesandeasilyacces-sibletonorthandwestCobbCountyinsuresthatotherveryattractiveretailbusinesseswillsignontotheproject.ThecurrentuseofthepropertyisCastleLakeMobileHomePark;thedeveloperwillberequiredtocomeupwitharelocationplanforthepark’stenants.Fuquaplanstomakefinaldecisionsontheprojectthissummer,andiftheyareabletocloseonallthepropertyrequired,siteworkwillstartinthefall.However,don’tlookforanystoreopeningsinthenearfuture—thesiteworkaloneisexpectedtotakeatleastayear.Butby2016,thisdevelopmentwilloffersomeexcitingnewoptionsforshoppinganddiningaswellasnumerousjobopportunities.

Development Projects Make Headlines

City News and Views Message from Mayor MathewsAtmyrecentTownHallmeeting,Iwasaskedmanyquestionsabouttheplansandtimingofthevarioustransporta-tionprojectsinourcitythathavebeenfundedbySPLOST.Therearefourmajorinitiativescurrentlyinvaryingstagesofprogress.

•TheprojectatRutledgeRd&CatheyLaneinvolveslanewideningandaddinganewtrafficsignalatMain&Cathey.PhaseIoftheprojectiscomplete(widen-ingMain&turnlanesintoSwift);PhaseIIwillincludeimprovementsonCatheyLaneandaroundaboutatRutledge/Catheyonceright-of-wayacquisitioniscomplete.•ThePineMountainRoadprojectbeingdonejointlywithCobbDOTincludesroadwideningaswellasaddingcenterturnlanesandsidewalks.Ithascompletedthedesignstageandisnowinright-of-wayacquisition.

•AninitiativewillmakeOldHighway41afourlaneroadandaddatrafficsignalatStanleyRd;itisinpermitting/right-of-wayacquisition.

•ThewideningofCollins&StanleyRdsandtheinstallationofaroundaboutandsidewalkononesideisalsoinpermitting/right-of-wayacquisition.

Right-of-wayacquisitionisacomplicat-edprocesswhichcouldtakemanymonthsifnotyearsofnegotiation.Wearenotalwaysabletoachievetheexactresultthatwouldoptimizeourplans,butwegetthebestresultspossiblegiventheconstraints.Wearealwaysopentodialoguewithstakeholdersandappreciatetheirinputandconcerns,aswedemonstratedattheTownHallmeeting.Unfortunately,wecan’tprovidespecificsaboutthefinaloutcomeuntiltheprocessiscomplete.However,weareatleastpleasedtoseeprogressontheseimportantprojectswhichwillimprovetrafficflowthroughthecityforresidentsandcommuters.

Seeyouaroundtown,

Inside Kennesaw - Spring 2014

Property Tax Exemption Offered to Seniors Didyouknowthecityoffersataxexemptiononannualpropertytaxesforresidentsages65andolder?Youmustprovideaphoto-copyofidentificationsuchasaGeorgiadriver’slicensetoqualify.Ifyouapplynow,youwillreceiveyourexemptiononthefollow-ingyear’staxes.TheapplicationcanbefoundonthePropertyTaxpageofthecitywebsite,www.kennesaw-ga.gov.Only new appli-cants need apply. AdditionalquestionscanbedirectedtoChristyHuielat770-424-8274,ext3015.

KKB Sponsoring Recycle-Shredding Event Keep Kennesaw Beautiful (KKB) ishostingacommu-nityElectronics/MetalRecyclingandPaperShreddingEventonSaturday,April26from9amto2pmatthePublicWorksfacility,3080MoonStationRoad.Theserviceisfreeandisopentoall.Itemsacceptedincludecomputerequipment,smallappliances,telephones,cam-eras,VCR/DVDrecorders,andmicrowaves.Metalitems

acceptedmustbesteel,aluminum,copper,brassorlead.TVsandCRTmonitorswillbeacceptedforafee.Formoreinformation,visitwww.kennesaw-ga.govorcallMirandaJonesat770-424-8274.

Shop and Dine Downtown This SpringBeginninginMay,theDowntownDevelopmentAuthorityisagainhostingavenueforlocalfarmerstoofferavarietyoffoodsandlocallygrownandmadeitemsattheKen-nesawFarmersMarketinAdamsPark.EachTuesdayfrom7am-1pm,vendorswillbesellinggarden-freshproduce,spices,jams&jellies,soaps,andotheroffer-

ings.Arriveearlyforthebestselection.Also,plantojoinyourfriendsandneighborsattheweeklyfoodtruckralliescalledDinner at the Depot everyMondayeveningatDepotParkfrom5-8pm(weatherpermitting). Customerscanpurchasefoodtograb-and-goortoenjoywhilepicnickingattablessetupinthepark.Formoredetails,checktheDinnerattheDepotFacebookpage.

KPD Launches Hide It, Lock It, or Lose It CampaignTheKennesawPoliceDepartment(KPD)islaunchinganewcampaigncalled“HideIt,LockIt,orLoseIt.”Thishighlysuccessfulcampaign,createdbytheDanaPoint,CAPoliceDepartment,hasthegoaltodiscouragetheftfromvehicles.Accordingto2013crimestatistics,77%ofcrimereportedinKennesawwaspropertycrime,with30%ofthoseinvolvingtheftsfromvehicles.Evenmoresignificant,80%ofthosevehicleswereunlocked!

Thesimplemessageistohidevaluablesinthetrunk,underseats,ingloveboxesorothercompartmentswithinthevehicleandlockvehicleseverytimeyouleavethemunattended.Personalresponsibilityisthebestpreventiontosafeguardpersonalpropertyandtopreventbecomingavictim.Overthenextseveralmonths,theKPDwillbeusingthiscampaigninvaryingformsofcommunicationincludinghandouts,messageboards,andsocialmedia.

Big Shanty Festival TheBigShantyFestival,Kennesaw’sbiggest

specialeventoftheyear,willbeheldthisyearonApril12-13.TheFestivalwhichtakesplaceindowntownKennesawisfunforthewholefamily!Itfeaturesover250boothsofcrafters,artisansaswellasliveentertainmentonseveralstages,children’sactivitiesandmorethan40foodvendors.TheFestivalopenswithakick-offparadeonSaturdayat9:30amfeaturinglocal

highschoolbands,colorfulfloatsandover1,000youngmarchers.Admissionisfree.Visitwww.kennesawbusiness.orgorcall770-423-1330formoreinformation.

Kennesaw Grand PrixTheKennesawGrandPrixisthepremier5KraceseriesinnorthGeorgia.Itisrunonamostlyflatandfastas-phaltcourse,professionallytimedandUSAT&FCerti-fied,throughdowntownKennesaw.ThecourseisperfectforcompetitiverunnersseekingaqualifyingtimeforthePeachtreeRoadRace,butthefestival-likeatmospheremakestheseracesperfectforbeginnerrunners/walkersaswellasfamilies.Eachracebenefitscityfacilitiesorprojects.Registeronlineatwww.active.com.Theentryfeeof$25($35onraceday)includesaracet-shirt.ThespringracesincludetheSwift-CantrellClassiconMay10andtheDreamDashonJune14.Forcompleteinformation,visitwww.kennesawgrandprix.com.

Outdoor Movie SeriesThisyear’sOutdoorMovieSerieskicks-offitstriooffree,family-friendlyflicksonSaturday,May3withascreeningofthefilmDespicable Me 2.ThenonSaturday,June7,enjoyThe Legos Movie.Showingsbeginatdark,butentertainment,kidsactivities,andgiveawaysstartat6pm.Bringablanketorlow-backchairs,butpop-uptents,canopiesorbeachumbrellasthatcanobstructtheviewofothersarenotpermitted.

Concessionswillbeavailableforpurchase.ParkingisavailableinsidetheparkandatneighboringKennesawElementarySchool.Cancellationsmayoccurduetoweatherconditions;raindatescanbefoundatwww.kennesaw-ga.gov.

Go Skateboarding DayTheannualdaytocelebrateallthingsskateboardingwilltakeplaceonSaturday,June21from11amto4pmatKennesawSkatepark.TheholidaywasconceivedbytheInternationalAssociationofSkateboardCom-panies(IASC)tohelpmakeskateboardingmoreaccessibletotheworldthroughvariouseventsheldinmajorcitiesaroundtheworld.Ourgoalistohavethelargestgatheringinthesoutheast!Itwillbeafun,high-energyeventfilledwithfood,music,giveawaysanddemonstrationsbypros.Lookfordetailsatwww.skatekennesaw.com.

Fun Things to DoCity Earns Accolades

TheCityofKennesawtooktophonorsinthemedium-sizedcompaniesdivisionofthisyear’sAtlantaBusinessChron-icle’sAtlanta’sHealthiestEmployersAward.Thecityplacedfourthin2013.Themedium-sizedcompanycategoryincludesemployersof100-499employ-ees;Kennesaw’sfull-timeworkforceis201.TheawardcitedthetestimonialofAssistantParks&RecreationDirectorBenSouthard,whocreditsthecity’swellnessprogramwithsavinghislife.Acolonoscopyhewasencouragedtoobtainbythecity’shealthcoachRuthIngramdetectedcancerwhichwasremovedthroughaseriesofsurgeries.Benisnowcancer-freeandcommittedtoahealthierlifestyle.

Additionally,KennesawwasnamedintheTopTenofthe50safestcitiesinGeorgiaaccordingtoaFebruary17blogpublishedbyhomesecuritycompanySafeWise.Thecompanycompilesthelisttohelpfamiliesevaluatewhichcit-iesandtownsarethesafestandbestbypouringoverthemostrecentFBICrimeintheU.S.Report&combiningthosestatisticswiththeirownresearch.Ken-nesawplacedtenthonthelist,andwasdescribedashavingmultipleschoolsthatearntoprankingsonschoolrat-ingssites;hostingavibrantparksandrecreationdepartmentwithanumberofprogramsdesignedtopromotethephysical,social,andmentalwell-beingofresidents;andpossessingvaluableculturalassetsliketheSouthernMu-seumandSmith-GilbertGardens.

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage PaidKENNESAW, GA

PERMIT 1

CITY OF KENNESAW2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave.Kennesaw, GA 30144

Inside Kennesaw - Spring 2014

Key ContactsBuilding Services: Mark Rice770-429-4554mrice@kennesaw-ga.gov

City Clerk: Debra Taylor770-424-8274dctaylor@kennesaw-ga.gov

City Manager: Steve Kennedy770-429-4544skennedy@kennesaw-ga.gov

Economic Development: Bob Fox770-794-7075rfox@kennesaw-ga.gov

Finance: Gina Auld770-424-8274gauld@kennesaw-ga.gov

Parks & Recreation: Doug Taylor770-422-9714dtaylor@kennesaw-ga.gov

Planning/Zoning: Darryl Simmons770-590-8268dsimmons@kennesaw-ga.gov

Police Department770-429-4535

Property Tax: Christy Huiel770-424-8274 Ext 3015chuiel@kennesaw-ga.gov

Public Works: Earnie Via770-421-8582evia@kennesaw-ga.gov

Events/CityServicesCalendarFormoredetailedinformationonevents,visitwww.kennesaw-ga.gov

Southern Museum TheSouthernMuseumofCivilWarandLocomotiveHistory,homeofthefamous“Gen-eral”locomotive,offersanarrayofprogramsandactivities.ASmithsonianInstitutionaf-filiate,theMuseumfeaturescollectionsofrareCivilWaritemsandweapons,anexhibitandshortmovieaboutTheGreatLocomotiveChase,Georgia’sMerciBoxcarandafull-scalereplicaoftheGloverlocomotivefactory.TheJolleyEducationCenterfeatureshands-oninteractiveexhibits.Regularprogramsincludeinterpre-tivetoursandtheweeklyMommy&MeSeriesforyoungchildren(Thursdays,10-11am).Discountedgrouptours,travelingexhibits,andspecialseasonaleventsarealsooffered.TheMuseumisopenMonday-Saturdayfrom9:30am–5pmandSundayfrom1–5:30pm.For a schedule of events and programs, please call 770-427-2117 or visit our web-site, www.southernmuseum.org.

Smith-Gilbert Gardens Locatedon16acres,Smith-GilbertGardensisanoasisofart,historyandflora,offeringtours,educationalprogramsforchildrenandadults,andopportunitiesforvolunteering.TheGardensareopenTuesdaythroughSaturdayfrom9amto4pmandSunday,11amto4pm.Adultad-missionis$7.Guidedtoursfor5ormorepeoplecanbearrangedbycallingtheGardenoffice.Foralistingofadultandchildren’seducationalprograms,pleasevisitthewebsite.TheGardensgiftshopfeaturesprints,potteryandjewelrybylocalartistsaswellashoneyfromourbeehives.

For more information or to schedule an event or meeting, please call 770-919-0248 or visit www.smithgilbertgardens.com.

Community EventsApr5(Sat)-Bunny Breakfast, CommunityCenter,seatingsat8,10am

Apr12-13(Sat/Sun)-Big Shanty Festival,downtown,10am-6pmSatand12-5pmSun(paradebeginsat9:30amSat)Apr26(Sat)-E-Recycle & Paper Shredding Event, PublicWorks,9am-2pm;Drug Take-Back Day, KennesawJail,10am-2pmApr29(Tue)-Summer Camp Expo, Com-munityCenter,5:30-8pm

May3(Sat)-Cemetery Decoration Day, KennesawCemetery,10am-2pm;Rose Gar-den Gala,Smith-GilbertGardens,6-10pm;Outdoor Movie (Despicable Me 2), Swift-CantrellPark,6pm

May10(Sat)-Swift-Cantrell Classic 5K, downtown,7:30am

May13(Tue)-Red Cross Blood Drive, Com-munityCenter,2-7pm

May17(Sat)-Backyard Camp-out, Swift-CantrellPark(raindateJun14)

Jun7(Sat)-Outdoor Movie (The Legos Movie), Swift-CantrellPark,6pmJun14(Sat)-Dream Dash 5K, downtown,7:30am

Jun21(Sat)-Go Skateboarding Day, Ken-nesawSkatepark,11am-4pm

City Services Schedule ChangesMemorial Day: City Hall closed Monday, May 26, no city services. Trash collection schedule: all routes during the week of the holiday are pushed forward one day.Call 770-421-8582 for more information.

Official publication of the City of Kennesaw, GA; published quarterly, & mailed to sanitation customers.

Editor: Pamela Davis770-424-8274

pdavis@kennesaw-ga.gov