Spotlight On: Joe Allen, Executive Director, Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District
July 2025 — Economic uncertainty is becoming the main challenge for Gwinnett County, but there is positive momentum toward prosperity, Joe Allen, executive director of Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District, told Invest:. Allen also touched on the changing dynamics in the county, particularly when it comes to redevelopment. “The name of the game is going to be redevelopment, and the rest of the country will replicate that in the coming years.”
What changes over the past year have most impacted the organization?
The Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID) experienced significant momentum in 2024, marked by collaboration, innovation, and a renewed commitment to transforming the district into a vibrant, safe, and dynamic community.
A major highlight of the year was Gwinnett County’s strategic acquisition of the two Macy’s sites at Gwinnett Place Mall. This bold step represents a pivotal moment in the district’s redevelopment and revitalization journey, laying the foundation for the long-envisioned Global Villages concept. By securing this key property, Gwinnett County has strengthened the district’s potential as a hub for economic development, creating new opportunities for businesses and enhancing the overall community experience in the heart of the county’s central business district.
The CID Board of Directors also maintained a strong focus on public safety throughout the year. Significant investments in security infrastructure, combined with strengthened collaboration with local law enforcement, have contributed to a safer environment for businesses, residents, and visitors. This continued focus on safety is essential to building community confidence and supporting sustained growth.
Partnership remains at the core of our success. In close collaboration with Gwinnett County, we have made measurable progress on key initiatives, including transportation improvements, infrastructure enhancements, and forward movement on the revitalization of Gwinnett Place Mall. This united effort is shaping Gwinnett Place, not only as a premier destination for business today, but also as a thriving, inclusive community for generations to come.
How has the county’s rapid urbanization changed the dynamics of the CID?
Over the past 40 years, Gwinnett County has undergone a remarkable transformation — from a community that was once 90% Caucasian to now being the most diverse county in the United States. At the Gwinnett Place CID, we’ve long celebrated and embraced this diversity. Our tagline, “A world of places in one place,” reflects the authenticity and vibrancy that make this area truly unique.
Diversity isn’t just a demographic reality here — it’s a strength that shapes our identity, fuels our economy, and enhances the community experience. As the county continues to grow, that growth is increasingly taking the form of redevelopment rather than expansion. With limited greenfield space remaining, the future lies in strategic and intentional redevelopment.
We are focusing on reimagining aging 1980s and 1990s-era shopping centers into vibrant, mixed-use spaces. Our vision for Gwinnett Place is one of urban transformation: higher density, more walkable and bikeable areas, and greener, more sustainable development. Part of this involves reevaluating outdated requirements, such as excessive surface parking, which no longer aligns with modern needs or community goals.
By embracing redevelopment and leaning into the strengths of our diverse population, we are working to create a Gwinnett Place that honors its past while boldly stepping into the future — a thriving, inclusive district where people want to live, work, and connect.
What is the typical redevelopment that you are expecting?
Gwinnett County and the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID) are proud to partner closely to realize the transformative redevelopment of the Gwinnett Place Mall site. This collaborative effort is driven by a bold and shared community vision: Global Villages — a vibrant, international, arts- and culture-focused neighborhood that reflects the rich diversity and dynamic future of Gwinnett.
Gwinnett County now owns 76 acres of the mall site, setting the stage for this visionary project. The Global Villages project will feature a thoughtfully planned mix of housing, trails, office space, retail, and a central park. A signature feature will be an international community cultural center, along with welcoming, programmed gathering spaces, designed to create an inclusive, vibrant destination for residents and visitors.
This vision directly aligns with the goals of Gwinnett County’s 2045 Unified Plan, which seeks to promote inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economic growth. Once construction begins, Global Villages is expected to serve as the spark that ignites broader revitalization throughout Gwinnett Place, including the redevelopment of nearby aging shopping centers and small malls.
The future of Gwinnett Place is global, green, and grounded in community — and the journey is just beginning.
Image provided by Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District:
What are the critical partnerships to push forward key initiatives?
Gwinnett County has long benefited from visionary leadership that recognizes the power of collaboration. In many communities, progress can be hindered by a lack of coordination among local agencies and stakeholders. But in Gwinnett, unity is a driving force.
Gwinnett County Government, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, and Partnership Gwinnett serve as essential connectors, bringing together diverse voices to advance transformative initiatives. This inclusive approach ensures that every stakeholder has a seat at the table, turning shared goals into shared successes.
Nowhere is this spirit of alignment more evident than at Gwinnett Place. County leadership’s deep commitment to the area, shown through significant public investments, strategic planning, and ongoing engagement, underscores its value to the broader community.
Through comprehensive outreach, in-depth research, and sustained collaboration, we’ve built a broad consensus around a shared vision for the future of Gwinnett Place. Together, we are turning vision into action and ensuring that Gwinnett Place remains a dynamic hub of progress, connection, and opportunity for all.
Could you expand on the infrastructural side of the equation?
A wide range of projects is currently underway around Gwinnett Place, many in conceptual or engineering phases, signaling a dynamic period of growth and transformation. These initiatives span key corridors and include infrastructure upgrades like pedestrian bridges, intersection improvements, roundabouts, and expanded sidewalks. Over the next few years, residents and visitors will see increased construction activity that reflects our shared investment in a more connected and accessible community.
One exciting possibility on the horizon is the creation of a micro-transit zone, in partnership with a neighboring CID. While the recent transit referendum did not pass, which would have funded this initiative, we are actively exploring alternative funding models. The goal is clear: if each stakeholder contributes financially, the cost is manageable and shared, ensuring no one bears the burden alone and ultimately creating a more connected Gwinnett County.
Efforts continue on several key roadway transportation projects, including work on the I-85 at Pleasant Hill Road Interchange Modification Report. In 2024, initial concepts for the McDaniel Farm Connector, linking McDaniel Farm Park to Ring Road, were finalized. Another major initiative, the Pleasant Hill Road Pedestrian Bridge, advanced in 2024 with the completion of concept design plans. Concept planning also began for a new trail along Venture Drive. In addition, roadway operational improvements are moving forward along Steve Reynolds Boulevard, with construction anticipated to begin in late 2025. Improvements at the Pleasant Hill Road/Koger Boulevard/Crestwood Parkway intersection are also expected to begin in late 2025, followed by work at the Pleasant Hill Road/Breckinridge Boulevard/Shackleford Road intersection.
These infrastructure improvements represent more than just roads and trails — they reflect strategic leadership, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to enhancing mobility and quality of life in Gwinnett Place. With continued public-private collaboration, the future is moving forward, one project at a time.
What are your top strategic priorities for the next two to three years?
Much of Gwinnett Place’s future hinges on the redevelopment of the former mall site. Once that project gets underway, it has the potential to serve as the spark that ignites widespread reinvestment, revitalization, and redevelopment across the district. It’s the kind of anchor transformation that gives other developers the confidence to take the leap.
We’re already seeing interest in nearby properties, including other large shopping centers in the area, but many are waiting to see what happens at the mall site. Once progress begins there, we anticipate a ripple effect of growth and redevelopment.
Looking ahead, the coming years promise a dramatic transformation. With continued momentum and strategic leadership, this area may soon become almost unrecognizable — in the best possible way.
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