Norcross to Purchase Old Cotton Gin, Women's Bathroom to Be Built Near Thrasher Park and More City Council News

Aside from Monday night's big news, which was the approval to sell Norcross' water and sewer system to the county, the city council had a large agenda for its regular April meeting.

One of the major topics of the evening was the purchase of the Old Cotton Gin at 125 Lawrenceville Street, which is located between the Norcross Welcome Center and the Norcross Police Department. The item was passed 3-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Hixson voting against it. Councilman David McLeroy was absent from the meeting.

According to the agenda notes, the city will use the historical building for connectivity, parking expansion and future expansion for other things.

"This is a good property, primarily because of its strategic location," said Councilman Keith Shewbert. "It's right in the middle of the civic center of the city, and it presents multiple options going forward for things we could use it for."

The purchase price is listed as being no more than $632,500, which will be funded with $362,500 from the Prior Year Fund and $270,000 from the MEAG Capital Fund. Shewbert added that the building was on the market about five years ago for more than $1 million, so the recent price is a good deal.

Hixson, who did note favor the purchase, said that he doesn't think it's currently a smart buy for the city and the funds should go to other city projects.

Pat Eidt, the chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, spoke before the council to show his support in purchasing the building.

"We see, as far as the development of the overall DDA, this being a linchpin to help in the growth of the city," said Eidt.

Also passed was the restroom conversion of the Norcross Depot, located near the Norcross Station Cafe and Thrasher Park. The building would be converted into a women's-only bathroom with four stalls.

One of the major driving factors of this project is to have more stalls available for women since their line tends to be considerably longer during events such as the summer concert series.

There was some debate about turning it into a men's and women's restroom, but Parks and Recreation Superintendent Mary Beth Bender said there's not enough room for it to be compliant. Hixson suggested that it could be a unisex restroom, but the council did not move forward with that option.

A third item that was approved was the removal of the West Peachtree Street sidewalk project from the Community Development Block Grant.

The CDBG, which aims to complete some projects mentioned in the LCI study that was completed last year, was originally passed in February with the means to build an extended four-foot sidewalk on the eastern side of West Peachtree.

Since it passed, some locals living on that street have spoken in front of the council at meetings to request that they don't want the sidewalk there. They reasoned that their front yards wouldn't have enough setback from the sidewalk.

"We're very happy," said resident Marilyn Saunders about the removal.

A four-foot sidewalk may be built on the other side of West Peachtree, but that would be decided and discussed at a later date.

The only item that was tabled Monday was the compensation for the mayor and council, which will be discussed at the April 15th policy work session. At the policy work session in March, many councilmen voiced that the mayor's annual pay, which is currently $6,900, should be increased. A legal ad on the issue will run sometime soon.

The other items on the agenda passed, either through discussion or by consent: the change in conditions of the rezoning case for the construction of new homes at 152 Thrasher Street; the intergovernmental agreement with Gwinnett County to lease the fire museum on Lawrenceville Street; a budget amendment for various land surveys and appraisals; and an amendment to the community development fee schedule.

See also:

• Norcross City Council Votes in Favor of Selling Water-Sewer System to County

Don’t miss any Norcross news. Subscribe to Norcross Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.