Gwinnett County Government Communications Division News Release:

Gwinnett Chairman Charlotte Nash and Snellville Mayor Tom Witts signed an intergovernmental agreement Tuesday to work together on the design of a new branch library and city market building as part of the city’s Towne Center project. The signing ceremony followed adoption of the agreement by the Board of Commissioners.

Nash said, “I’m excited about this joint venture with the city. The SPLOST-funded library will occupy about one-third of the space in the proposed three-story building and will be located on the first floor. The County will pay a third of the design cost for the building plus our share of an adjoining parking deck.” The new and larger Towne Center facility on Wisteria Drive will replace the existing branch library building at 2740 Lenora Church Road. The new library building will continue to be known as the Elizabeth H. Williams library.

Snellville leaders said the city market could include restaurants, retail shops and other public, civic or educational facilities. “With the help of Gwinnett County, the new City Market and Library will be a centerpiece of our ambitious plan to create a new downtown Snellville, one that will spur commercial and residential growth and be a catalyst for development in the city for decades to come,” said Witts. “We are grateful for the help of our county leaders, moving us closer toward our goal of making Snellville a better place.”

“This will be a great addition to the western side of the county,” said District 3 Commissioner Tommy Hunter. “I’m glad we’ve been able to work together to make it happen, and this agreement is a testament to the willingness of the County and cities to work together to improve the lives of our residents.”

The city also agreed to provide and maintain stormwater detention facilities for the area. Following finalization of space requirements by both parties, the County and city will hire a firm to design a mutually satisfactory building that meets minimum LEED sustainability standards.

The County recently worked with the city of Lilburn on a shared library and city hall building that opened last October.