The City of Lawrenceville Mayor and Council voted unanimously to move forward with plans for an expanded arts and education center in its downtown. Though the City is fronting the investment, fifty percent (50 percent) of the total is planned to come from the City’s arts and educational partners. The expanded facility will include a 500-seat theater, encompass the existing theater facilities managed by the Aurora Theatre and incorporate additional educational space, a cabaret theater, office space and room for complimentary development on the Crogan Street side of the block. This decision furthers the City’s vision to be ‘the college town of tomorrow… where art comes alive in a talent-rich regional epicenter…’ set forth in its new 2040 Comp Plan.

“This exciting project continues the dynamic transformation of the downtown area,” said Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson. “Lawrenceville is the heart of Gwinnett and maintains a central area rich with activity for all generations. This facility will bring the arts community together with educational opportunities and all the other amenities that our vibrant community has to offer to create a dynamic core for Gwinnett County.”

The facility will be constructed on the block surrounded by Pike, Clayton and Crogan Streets with its front entry opening onto Clayton Street across from the Historic Gwinnett County Courthouse Grounds. The Aurora Theatre contracts with the City to manage, operate and craft programming for both its current venue and the future facility being proposed. Though the facility is expected to transform the landscape of downtown, City officials remain dedicated to retaining the historically intrinsic nature of downtown Lawrenceville’s architecture and infrastructure and blending it with a progressive community engagement center.

“Staff is diligently working to ensure that this facility honors the progressive vision of the Council while still contributing to the historic significance and aesthetic appeal of the square,” added Chuck Warbington, City Manager. “We have heard the public comments and desires of our community and look forward to delivering a product that all residents and patrons to our downtown can be proud of and enjoy.”

The community provided much needed input on the design and direction of the project and with that input, the City will move forward to begin demo and construction in the next 90 to 120 days.  The facility is expected to be complete by mid-2020.