News Flash

Egg-citement is in the air! 🐣Hop to it. Easter is right around the corner! Join us at Rossie Brundage Park in Norcross on Saturday, April 4 for double the egg-citement. The fun begins at 10:00 a.m. with a thrilling Easter Egg Hunt, hidden treasures and special photo ops with the Easter Bunny and other characters.Then at 1:00 p.m., we are hosting an Eggs-tra Special Egg Hunt just for kids with special needs, offering tailored accommodations for a safe and inclusive experience. Registration is required for this hunt, so click the link below to secure your spot. Arrive early and bring your baskets. This is one egg-stravaganza you will not want to miss!To register, visit eventeny.com

Norcross March 2, 2026, Council Meeting 

NORCROSS, GA (March 3, 2026) – The following is a recap of selected items from the March 2, 2026, City Council meeting. Full agenda, minutes and video can be found here: https://norcrossga.portal.civicclerk.com/event/612/files/attachment/3395

Meetings are also listed on the City of Norcross calendar: https://www.norcrossga.net/calendar.aspx?CID=28

Selected Items from the March 2 Meeting

Comprehensive Plan Amendment AdoptedCouncil adopted an amendment to the City’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan, refining character area boundaries and land-use guidance to better align with Norcross’ vision for growth. The update was developed with Kimley-Horn and informed by extensive public engagement, including four community events and a survey with more than 500 responses. The amendment received Planning & Zoning Board recommendation and was found compliant with state planning standards by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Downtown Parking Design Moves ForwardCouncil approved the 60% planning and engineering design for the future downtown parking project and authorized an additional $98,000 to complete final construction plans and bidding documents. The concept is projected to add 63-70 parking spaces pending approval of final design, and supports Comprehensive Plan goals related to accessibility, public gathering spaces, and efficient use of existing facilities. Construction is currently estimated at $2.5 million, with detailed costs forthcoming.

Thrasher Park Lighting EnhancementsCouncil authorized staff to proceed with a proposal from TheOutdoorLights, Inc. for lighting enhancements at Thrasher Park, including bistro lighting over the amphitheater lawn. The one-time project cost is $38,952.79 and is intended to improve safety, visibility, and the overall visitor experience during evening events.

Public Safety Building Funding AppropriatedCouncil approved the appropriation of $5 million from the General Fund that was previously transferred from the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) Municipal Competitive Trust Fund to support construction of the new Public Safety Administration Building. Using available cash will reduce the amount the City must finance and lower long-term borrowing costs.

Rezoning for Light Industrial UseCouncil approved a rezoning request for a 12.8-acre property to the M1 (Light Industry) zoning district, allowing the full use of an existing industrial site currently operating as a bus company with fleet parking, outdoor storage, and accessory motor vehicle repair and maintenance indoors. The action aligns zoning across the parcel while maintaining required setbacks from nearby single-family homes and prohibiting motor vehicle sales and service uses.

Greenway Mitigation Credits ApprovedTo keep the Norcross Greenway project on schedule, Council approved the purchase of required stream and wetland mitigation credits in an amount not to exceed $112,900. The credits are necessary for federal permitting related to boardwalk and bridge construction near Beaver Ruin Creek and will be funded through Recreation SPLOST, with 80% reimbursement anticipated.

For more information about City Council meetings and initiatives, visit www.norcrossga.net.

The City of Norcross has released the Norcross Police Department’s 2025 Annual Review, highlighting significant reductions in crime, major investigative successes, and continued investments in training, accreditation, and community partnerships. The report is now available online at the City’s website and in hard copy at Norcross City Hall.

The department reported that overall crime dropped by more than 25% in 2025, continuing a multi-year downward trend and placing crime levels well below the 10-year average in nearly every category. Violent and property crimes, including robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and entering autos, also declined, while traffic accidents reached their lowest level in 15 years, nearly 25% fewer than in 2024.

Mayor Craig Newton praised the department’s performance and its connection to the community. “A more than 25% drop in crime is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the professionalism of our officers and the strong relationship they have built with our residents and businesses,” said Newton. “This report shows that Norcross continues to be a safe, welcoming community for everyone who lives, works, and visits here.”

The department, comprised of 53 sworn officers, 20 civilian staff, and two contracted mental health professionals, logged nearly 29,020 calls for service, conducted 23,976 traffic stops, and made 1,255 arrests in 2025. Officers also completed 6,039 hours of training, averaging 92 hours per employee, underscoring the department’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.

“These results reflect our officers’ dedication, strong partnerships with the community, and a proactive, data-driven approach to policing,” said Norcross Police Chief Bill Grogan. “Our goal is to make Norcross an unattractive place for criminal activity while keeping it a safe, welcoming place to live, work, and visit.”

Among the year’s accomplishments:

•    Earned the Excellence in Policing Certification, one of only four cities in Georgia to receive the distinction in 2025

•    Successfully completed Georgia State Certification through the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police

•    Hosted Citizen Police Academies in English and Spanish

•    Fully activated the FUSUS real-time camera integration platform

•    Began development of a Special Response Team

The report also details notable cases involving multi-state fraud investigations, gang-related enforcement, major drug seizures, and coordinated regional efforts that led to multiple arrests and the recovery of firearms, illegal narcotics, and stolen property.

Looking ahead, 2026 priorities include a large-scale active-shooter exercise, full activation of the Special Response Team, the addition of two K-9 units, another Citizen Police Academy, and relocation into the City’s new Public Safety Building.

The full 2025 Annual Review can be viewed at:

https://www.norcrossga.net/187/Police-Department

The City of Norcross is celebrating new support for Norcross Discovery Garden Park, which has been selected as a 2026 Community Garden Improvement Grant recipient by Food Well Alliance. The garden will receive $1,500 to help address infrastructure, supply, and material needs that keep the community garden thriving.

“We’re truly grateful to Food Well Alliance for this Community Garden Improvement Award,” said Paul Sumner, Chairman of the Norcross Discovery Garden Park Board. “It will help us keep up with growing interest from residents who want to connect with nature by growing healthy food, especially those who don’t have space to garden at home. This funding will allow us to expand the number of garden plots and reduce our waiting list, just in time for spring planting.”

Now nearing its 10-year anniversary, Norcross Discovery Garden Park first opened on Oct. 22, 2016. Since then, the garden has grown into a welcoming destination for residents and visitors to learn about organic gardening, explore hands-on demonstration projects, and enjoy a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. Built through teamwork, volunteer energy, and neighborhood support, the garden continues to reflect Norcross’s commitment to sustainability, learning, and community connection.

Food Well Alliance is deploying $132,500 in direct funding to community gardens across its five-county service area. Grants will be distributed ahead of the growing season.

About Norcross Discovery Garden Park

Norcross Discovery Garden Park is a city community garden focused on organic gardening, educational initiatives, and demonstration projects. Since opening in 2016, it has provided a hands-on space for residents and visitors to learn, connect, and enjoy nature in the middle of the city.

About Food Well Alliance

Food Well Alliance supports community gardens and local food systems across a five-county service area by investing in projects that connect people to food and to each other.