Suwanee Wins 2026 Visionary City Award for Town Center on Main

Suwanee was named a 2026 Visionary City Award honoree by the Georgia Municipal Association in collaboration with Georgia Trend on January 27, 2026. The city earned the Medium Cities Category honor for Town Center on Main, a multi-year effort that rerouted Main Street to unify the city’s historic Old Town and Town Center into one connected, walkable downtown.

Town Center on Main removed long-standing barriers that once separated neighborhoods and commercial corridors. The project created new greenspace, pedestrian connections, and gathering spaces intended to strengthen everyday civic life and encourage foot traffic between shops, restaurants, and public venues. City leaders say the redesign reflects sustained community input and long-term planning aimed at making downtown more accessible for residents across Forsyth County.

Larry Hanson, CEO and executive director of GMA, commented on the award: “Suwanee’s Town Center on Main shows how intentional design and collaboration can strengthen civic life and downtown vitality. This project brings people together and reinforces the city’s people-centered approach to growth.”

Mayor Jimmy Burnette framed the recognition as a validation of Suwanee’s planning work and community engagement. “Town Center on Main has become a centerpiece of daily life in Suwanee and reflects our long-term vision for creating places that bring people together,” Burnette said. The mayor and city staff have highlighted the project as central to future events, placemaking and local economic activity.

For residents, the immediate impacts are tangible: expanded sidewalks and green gathering areas offer safer routes for walking, more room for outdoor events, and clearer connections between Old Town’s historic businesses and the newer Town Center amenities. City officials expect the pedestrian-friendly layout to support downtown programming and to provide more options for weekend outings, farmers markets, and community festivals that draw both longtime residents and visitors from across Forsyth County.

The award also signals regional recognition of Suwanee’s approach to municipal design and partnership-building. Local officials plan to build on the Town Center on Main framework for future enhancements and community-driven projects.

For more information about Suwanee and Town Center on Main, contact Assistant City Manager Denise Brinson at 770-945-8996 or denise@suwanee.com. The Visionary City Award highlights a completed phase of downtown renewal and points to further programming and activation that residents can expect in the months ahead.