WWW.DACULAGA.GOV DACULA, GEORGIA A DYNAMIC CITY ON THE VERGE OF TRANSFORMATION
DACULA, GA AT A GLANCE DACULA, GEORGIA WHAT: A City Redefining Itself Amidst Growth and Opportunity WHERE: Gwinnett County, Georgia WEBSITE: www.daculaga.gov A DYNAMIC CITY OF TRANSFORMA 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
Established in 1905, Dacula is a vibrant and welcoming city at the eastern edge of Gwinnett County, Georgia. Bursting with southern hospitality, this friendly city combines a small town quality of life, with proximity to top notch work and education opportunities. With a longstanding reputation as a bedroom community, Dacula is currently working to redefine its identity, as it embraces commercial and residential growth. Y ON THE VERGE ATION 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
“For at least 50 years, our motto was ‘The City of Homes’. We really were a bedroom community for people that commuted to Atlanta to work in some of the larger industrial complexes,” depicts Mayor Trey King. Noting that the city has experienced a housing boom every ten years since the 1980s, he adds,“Now we’re experiencing something that we have never experienced before. I would say it’s exponential growth in the city, as we are one of the few places in Gwinnett County that are not built out.” A key factor in this growth is Dacula’s ideal location just 30 miles from Georgia’s major cities of Atlanta and Athens, making it a desirable place for those seeking the balance between small town life and big-city career opportunities. While generations of families have continued to call Dacula home, the community is growing its commercial and residential offerings, attracting an influx of families and professionals. “We still have that hometown feel,” shares Brittni Nix, City Administrator. “There’s a lot of good accessibility with our road networks and our location, and there’s a lot that’s attractive to new and existing residents.” BUILDING A NEW COMMUNITY CORE Complementing Dacula’s historic downtown, the city is creating a new public gathering space known as the City Core Project. The first phase of the project will see the addition of a new municipal building, a city hall parking deck, amphitheater, and green spaces for community gathering. “We do have this great sense of camaraderie amongst the community members, but there has been no real official gathering space, so it’s been difficult to facilitate events and take things to that next level,” Nix acknowledges.“We’re really hopeful that this space will continue forward with that sense of community.” The second phase of the project will include private development, introducing new retail areas, and creating a walkable, thriving city center. “All of this came out of our urban redevelopment plan that we officially approved last year to really help revitalize the area as a whole. The long term vision is to have the new city core are and the historic downtown 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03 DACULA, GA
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there where people love to come and gather as a community, and we have a Veterans Memorial there to honor our fallen and their families,” describes Mayor King. He adds that 35 parking spaces have recently been added to accommodate increased visitors to the area. Across the city, the 12-acre Maple Creek City Park has undergone a $1 million revitalization, featuring connect and merge so you really have a holistic downtown area,” she relays. COMMUNITY SPACES Dacula is proud of its city parks, each offering space for visitors and residents to relax and enjoy time with friends and family. Olde Mill Park, the smaller of the two, is adjacent to the historic downtown, and is a beloved area of the community. “We have a gazebo 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03 DACULA, GA
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources to extend sewer services into the City Core Project area, an important step in facilitating this new development. “We have worked extensively with the county, and we were fortunate enough to receive some ARPA funds that we designated to cover a portion of that sewer project,” details Mayor King. Additionally, the city identified areas lacking reliable new playground equipment, adult exercise stations, additional park benches, improved walking trails, beautification efforts, and an enclosed toddler playground. “It’s pretty amazing,” boasts the mayor. INFRASTRUCTURE, COLLABORATION AND WORKFORCE TO SUPPORT GROWTH With expansion comes the need for updated infrastructure, and Dacula has partnered with 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
A Legacy Of Excellence In Developing Commercial Real Estate Jeremy is a seasoned professional with over 23 years of hands-on experience in the field of commercial real estate. His comprehensive expertise spans a diverse spectrum, encompassing all aspects of the industry. With an impressive track record in shopping center development, redevelopment, brokerage, leasing, property management, and construction management, Jeremy's skills are deeply rooted in practical knowledge. With a proven history of delivering results and a reputation built on integrity, Jeremy stands as a true leader and influencer within the realm of commercial real estate. Yarbrough Development is a boutique commercial real estate development firm specializing in creating high-quality retail sites tailored to the unique needs of businesses and communities. With a hands-on approach and the flexibility to adapt to market trends, we focus on delivering thoughtfully designed commercial developments that enhance customer experiences and drive long-term value for tenants and investors. At Yarbrough Development, we build more than just commercial real estate; we create destinations where businesses thrive and communities connect. Whether it’s a retail shopping center, mixeduse development, or stand-alone outparcels, our commitment to quality, innovation, and strategic execution ensures long-term success for all stakeholders. Jeremy Yarbrough, CCIM, CLS 678.689.0395 Yarbrough Development, LLC, 1505 Lakes Parkway, Suite 190, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
YARBROUGH DEVELOPMENT A Boutique Firm Dedicated to Quality Commercial Real Estate Developments throughout the Southeast. Commercial development is in high demand across North America, especially the Southeast, and finding the right fit for a project is paramount. With a host of real estate development companies for investors to choose from, one commercial developer has built a leading path that sets itself apart from the others. Yarbrough Development is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and building a formidable reputation in the commercial real estate industry through exceptional developments and trusted partnerships. Small enough to offer hands-on expertise with a development scope that perfectly meets the desires of commercial and community interests, Yarbrough Development offers unparalleled, top-tier design and development services that seamlessly align with a community’s desired direction. With the design ability to create high-quality retail developments coupled with the flexibility to adapt to ever-changing market trends, Yarbrough Development collaborates very closely with its valued client base to produce expertly planned commercial developments that keep the customer and investor’s best interests top of mind. With years of industry experience, design excellence, and the keen ability to track industry and market trends, Yarbrough Development remains a cut above its competition. With a proven record of ensuring that every project is executed with meticulous mindfulness and reflects long-term value for its clients and investors, Yarbrough Development holds true to its mission to create destinations where businesses thrive, and communities connect. Yarbrough Development focuses site selection, entitlements, design, construction, leasing, property management and shopping center development. Boasting a profile that crosses an impressive array of retail and commercial developments,Yarbrough Development ensures that every development is tailored to the needs of the community. Particularly proud of its working relationship with the City of Dacula, Yarbrough Development collaborated with Mayor King and city staff to create a quality development that will add to the nearby retail landscape. The company’s first development in the city, Greeson’s Corner, is currently under construction and is slated to open in the summer of 2025. Consisting of two outparcels anchored by 5/3 Bank and Chick-fil-A on a busy city intersection, Greeson’s Corner is set to cater to the needs of residents and will be a terrific addition to the thriving City of Dacula. Yarbrough Development’s dedication to superior workmanship, community focused design, and innovative solutions, backed by unmatched industry expertise, has established it as a leader in commercial real estate development.
internet and designated ARPA funds to expand broadband access, opening up connectivity for residents and businesses.While he acknowledges the increase in remote workers, King says the majority of Dacula’s workforce consists of skilled blue-collar workers employed in supporting industries for the automotive sector, major Fortune 500 companies, and healthcare. “As the community transitions, Dacula is finding home for a lot more professionals,” he admits. “We have more and more people that are able to work from home in fields such as cyber security or in project management. So, that’s kind of developing now, and I think that trend will continue. But our core community has always been a skilled blue-collar community. I think that’s one of our biggest assets.” Mayor King emphasizes the outstanding relationship Dacula has with Gwinnett County, and the importance of this partnership moving forward.“This is one of the last outpost of Gwinnett County where something could be built,” he underscores.“Anything that comes into the city, we want it to be amazing. We want it to be something that we can appreciate not just 5 years from now, but 50 years from now.” RESIDENTIAL GROWTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Looking ahead, Dacula is addressing an increased housing demand with an influx of residential developments. The city currently has five major single-family housing projects underway, totaling nearly 800 new homes, in addition to its first-ever townhome and multifamily housing developments. A 55+ senior living community is also expected to come online within the next five years, bringing 120 units to the community. “We have over 1000 units right now that were recently developed or are actively under construction at various price points, ownership and rental. We’re really tackling this issue and making sure that we have spaces for people to live,” Nix asserts. Along with residential expansion, Dacula is inviting new economic opportunities through logistics and industrial development. “We have an upcoming logistics center with multiple warehouses, which 11 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03 DACULA, GA
is an exciting opportunity for the city ,” Nix conveys. “There would be multiple warehouse spaces that companies could rent out and utilize. While the project is not managed by the city of Dacula, we’ve been helping facilitate their plan reviews and helping to get the project off the ground. Hopefully, that will start this year.” The city also benefits from proximity to the Rowen development, a knowledge community with potential to bring a range of new job opportunities. “That’s a joint venture between Gwinnett County and the Rowen Foundation,” Mayor King explains. “Historically, the city of Dacula has been in what we call the Innovation Crescent, which is an area between Atlanta and Athens that was undeveloped at one time. Now we are seeing the beginnings of that Innovation Crescent come to life through the Rowen Project, targeting the agricultural, medical and environmental industries. This will be a big benefit to this community, as far as jobs, and other places to get an education. We’re just at the very beginning of that at this point.” PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Looking ahead, Dacula’s vision includes completing the City Core Project, revitalizing the historic downtown, and ensuring smart, sustainable growth to provide continued opportunities and enhance quality of life for both current and future residents. With this in mind, Mayor King shares that leadership is about more than just infrastructure and economic development. “You always have to give your best, do your best, and leave the next generation, or the people that follow behind, in a better place,” he expands. “The most rewarding part is being able to help people, being able to uplift the community. We want to create something that the people that live here can be proud of.” 12 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
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PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n DeThomas Investments, LLC www.dethomasinvestments.com n Yarbrough Development, LLC 678-689-0395 Yarbrough Development is a trusted leader in commercial real estate development, committed to integrity, quality, and long-term success. Partnering with local municipalities and investors, we create vibrant, high-quality commercial developments that enhance communities, drive economic growth, and deliver value through thoughtful planning, expert execution, and a commitment to excellence. 14 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
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