« Oh no! Those awful developers are improving quality of life again! »

For a few months now I have seen the sign that Loganville is getting a Lowe's at US 78 and Brand Road. Early in the construction, I noticed that the building closest to US 78 was too small to be the home improvement center, but a few weeks later I noted the early stages of construction of a much larger building further back on the property which I took to be Lowe's. I just assumed that the front building was an auto parts store or something similar. This morning I was passing by the site and noticed the new architectural touch to the building nearest the road - it looked suspiciously like the triangular shape on the front of a Best Buy! I then noticed a large sign I had not previously seen which announced that, indeed, the new development - North Logan Commons - would include a Best Buy! A little research back home revealed that the center, which is scheduled to open next spring, will also include a Dick's Sporting Goods, PetsMart and Office Max. A companion development, South Logan Commons, is slated to open across US 78 by 2010. The developer, Faison Enterprises of Charlotte, NC, has a property summary page with a leasing brochure that provides more information on the complex.

First, even though I have lived near Loganville for eight years now, the growth of the area still amazes me. I find the transformation of the area absolutely fascinating. When I was in high school in the late 80s, Loganville seemed like such a far away place. It seemed like just a little town with nothing there. The most notable thing about Loganville was Maxie Price Chevrolet which, as long-time residents will remember, made famous the phrase "Whur's Loganvile?!?" Now, we are getting a Best Buy! Setting aside the fact that I had never heard of Best Buy when I was in high school, had you told me back then this area would change like this, I would never have believed it.

The real point I want to make, however, is the convenience and amenities that development brings. With the addition of these stores in Loganville, residents of both Gwinnett and Walton in surrounding area no longer have to go to Snellville to visit these stores. This saves time and fuel as well reducing miles driven and, in turn, congestion. Aside from going to Barnes & Noble at the Avenue Webb Gin as well as some restaurants (Loganville's restaurant line-up is still pitiful), I have little need to make trips to Snellville. I suspect that a buddy of mine who lives much closer to this new center than I, will love the convenience this brings. But wait! He was just emailing me this week that he is "anti-growth." Hmmm...on second thought, John, you should just keep driving to Snellville since you are opposed to growth and development. I would hate for you to have to compromise your anti-growth stance. Same goes for Mike Beaudreau. Next time Mikes wants a CD or a DVD, he should make the drive to Snellville since it would just be wrong to patronize the businesses of a terrible, greedy developer. Sames goes for all the homeowner association activists in the area. They rail on development, so wouldn't it be hypocritical to take advantage of the conveniences?

The next time you hear the tired and often inaccurate blanket characterization of real estate development as being a detriment to a community take a minute and consider a project such as North Logan Commons. Are the benefits such a development will bring to the Loganville community really a negative like the anti-growth crowd would have you believe? I say a resounding no. I firmly believe that having these conveniences close to home will only improve the quality of life in the southeast fringe of Gwinnett.
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