Woodstock Mayor Reviews Successes, Reveals Plans for 2019
In Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques’ recent State of the City address, he mentioned plans for the redevelopment of the Morgan Ace Hardware property among the projects coming up in downtown Woodstock. That space will include a 400-space parking deck and boutique hotel, along with intersection improvements, a sidewalk extension, and meeting and office space.
Henriques listed major accomplishments of 2018, including completion of the mural, winning the recycling challenge for the sixth year, re-certification as a Tree City for the 18th year, 24 events hosted by the Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, and getting the city’s comprehensive plan approved early.
Among the city’s economic developments were: the opening of Costco on Ridgewalk Parkway and Reformation Brewery’s new facility downtown; Dean’s Store winning the 2018 Most Creative Community Public Relations Initiative Award; the farmers market’s 10th anniversary, and the city’s Main Street organization rebranding to INWDSTK, to encompass all of Woodstock.
The mayor announced the city’s new tagline – “Our Story Crafted by Your Dreams” – included on the city logo.
A Look at 2018
Woodstock Police
• Rates as one of the safest cities in Georgia on multiple lists.
• Property crime fell 17 percent.
• More than 600 people have graduated form the Public Safety Academy.
• More than 100 children helped by Shop with a Hero program.
Woodstock Fire
• Responded to 5,755 alarms in 2018.
• Responded to 4,494 calls in the city, and 1,261 calls in Cherokee County.
• Conducted 1,968 life safety inspections.
• Maintained ISO 1 rating, highest rating possible.
Public Works
• Installed or improved five new turn lanes.
• Installed six new signalized pedestrian crosswalks downtown.
• Enhanced 11 existing crosswalks.
• Renovated and expanded City Center parking lot.
• Opened Streetscapes Phase 2 on Main Street.
Economic Development
• INWDSTK volunteers donated 25,000 hours of their time, providing the community more than $600,000 in value.
• National accreditation renewed by CAPRA (Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies).
• 2,400-square-foot expansion of senior center completed and opened.
• Grant awarded to connect Greenprints Trail from Highway 92 to Noonday Park in Cobb County.
Finance
• Unrestricted fund balance now more than $6 million, while maintaining millage rate at 2011 levels.
• Received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award for third consecutive year.
• Received the GFOA Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 25th consecutive year.
Community Development
• Permits totaled $152.2 million in new construction were issued.
• Total for four years now at $658 million.
• Collected more than $1 million in impact fees for Parks and Recreation.
• Issued 459 new business occupation licenses (25 percent were home occupations).
• Issued more than 3,269 total permits.
What’s Next
Projects Underway in 2019
• Restrooms and playground under construction at Elm Street Green.
• Expansion of Ridge Trail.
• New community garden on Arnold Mill Road.
• Renovations of the gazebo at the Park at City Center.
• Redevelopment of the Morgan’s Ace Hardware location to include intersection improvement, sidewalk extension, a parking deck, a boutique hotel, meeting and office space. The parking deck will allow city officials to move forward with timed parking in downtown.
Road Improvements
• Neese Road/Highway 92 intersection (2020).
• Woodpark Place extension to South on Main (2020).
• Highway 92 from I-575 west (dual turn lanes at Molly Drive and Woodstock Square, conversion of Home Depot turn lane to a thru lane (2019, 2020).
• Neese Road realignment (2020-21).
• Mill Street conversion to two-way traffic (2020-21).
• Trickum Road widening to Cobb County (2020).
• Trickum Road intersection improvements (under design).
• Towne Lake Parkway interchange improvements (under design).
• Ridgewalk interchange improvements (under design).
Other approved projects
• Third fire station (two sites acquired, anticipate a
Ridgewalk Parkway location).
• Development of Little River Park.
• Design of the new Johnston property park on Main
Street at the new Morgan’s Ace Hardware site, across from Woodstock Knoll at the Ridgewalk Parkway/Main Street intersection.
• Received grant for a community orchard.
• Create a plan for a bigger senior center.
• Convert the existing senior center into a veteran’s center
fo the American Legion and Marine Corps League.
• Expand the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee to
include River Ridge High School.
2019 Woodstock Summer Concert Series schedule
May 11: Mark Wills
June 8: Better Than Ezra
July 13: Who’s Bad (Michael Jackson tribute band)
Aug. 10: Little River Band
Sept. 14: Molly Ringwalds
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