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Monday, July 17, 2006
A tale of two Norcrosses
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are many who call Norcross home who do not necessarily live inside the city limits of Norcross.
The “true” citizens of Norcross are sometimes very quick to tell me that when I use the city as a geographic reference, the “problems” I write about don’t exist in their community.
I wanted to know if the quality of living within the city limits really lives up to all the hype in comparison to unincorporated Norcross.
I spent a Saturday morning driving around the city of Norcross and just observed “life on the inside.”
I began my trip through the city on Holcomb Bridge Road via Atlantic Boulevard. I was bowled over by the sudden change of scenery and small-town charm. I saw an obvious sense of pride in the community.
Approaching the city center, I spent some time in Thrasher Park and the adjacent business strip lined with antique shops, cafes… and the citizens of Norcross all coming together.
I stopped at the Northern Star Coffeehouse on the strip and spoke with employee and 17-year Norcross resident Anna and 20-year Norcross resident Joseph. Both were young and, in my eyes, they represented the city’s future. They embody the proud, tight-knit community they live in.
“Huge difference,” said Joseph when I asked him about the differences between the city of Norcross and unincorporated Norcross. Anna agreed with him and said the city has a more peaceful atmosphere with mostly friendlier people than those who live beyond its boundaries.
From the inside looking out, Joseph stated he thought the biggest problem with unincorporated Norcross was there was no sense of community.
It took Historic Norcross 136 years to nurture and develop its identity, style and atmosphere. The small-town charm cannot be replicated in unincorporated areas of Norcross such as Gwinnett Village.
The Village is going to have to find its own unique identity.
I left the historic district of Norcross feeling surreal as I took Lawrenceville Street, passed the surprisingly magnificent City Hall then over to Buford Highway. I felt as if I were instantly awakened from a beautiful dream and reality was punching me in the face.
That reality exists while still in the city of Norcross. While beautiful at its core, it is faced with some of the same problems as unincorporated Norcross, such as crime and community decay. The city hase a smaller portion of these problems in comparison, but the same problems nevertheless.
While having plenty of reasons to be proud, Norcross residents should be concerned with the goings on in the fringes of its city limits as well as in communities that surround the city,especially in Gwinnett Village.
They will only be able to hide behind their rose-colored glasses for so long before these problems penetrate their utopian shroud.
Norcross Mayor Lillian Webb obviously sees the importance of Gwinnett Village to the city of Norcross. She sits on the board of Southwest Gwinnett Village Community Improvement Association, which deals with Gwinnett Village issues. She understands that what is good for Gwinnett Village, is even better for the City of Norcross.
What do you think are the biggest differences between the city of Norcross and unincorporated Norcross? Should Gwinnett Village incorporate as a city?
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