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Downtown Development,Soccer Time & A New CEO
Downtown Development,Soccer Time & A New CEO
Downtown Development Authority wants to change Main Street, while kids get to play Spring Soccer
Loganville News and Events
Mar 13, 2026
Trivia Question❓What was Loganville originally known for in the late 1800s that helped it grow as a town? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Things Happening In Loganville (and surrounding areas) |
❓ Trivia at The Patriots’ Grill (Loganville)
🤠 Spaghetti Dinner American Legion Post (Loganville)
🎶 2unes with the Invisible Band (Loganville)
⚽️Registration for the N Zone Youth Spring Soccer League Registration is now open for the N Zone Sports Gwinnett Youth Spring Soccer League, starting March 28, but registration closes March 15. |
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The Loganville Downtown Development Authority (DDA) could be just weeks away from taking the next step toward redeveloping a key downtown property at 254 Main Street.
The authority is expected to soon consider issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify developers interested in transforming the 0.47-acre city-owned property, which currently includes a parking lot, playground, green space, and a “Welcome to Downtown Loganville” sign.
The project has been widely viewed as a first step toward revitalizing downtown Loganville, though plans for the site — along with a nearby 0.91-acre city-owned parcel at 4436 Pecan Street — have stalled for months while the DDA and city council worked to align on a vision for the properties.
Late last year, the Loganville City Council provided the DDA with a framework outlining how the combined 1.38 acres of downtown property could be redeveloped. The council encouraged the authority to pursue a “thoughtfully designed infill redevelopment project” that would bring energy to the downtown core and promote long-term economic growth.
City leaders also signaled they are open to including the Pecan Street property in the project if a developer’s proposal fits the city’s long-term plans for downtown.
To move the effort forward, the city council and DDA approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) allowing the authority to market and negotiate the potential sale of one or both properties to a developer whose proposal best fits the city’s vision. Any final sale, however, must still be approved by the city council.
Unlike the council, which typically must accept the highest bid when selling public property, the DDA has broader flexibility to evaluate proposals based on overall value, including the developer’s vision, experience, and financial capacity.
The authority is currently debating how detailed the RFQ should be. One option would give developers broad freedom to propose ideas for the properties, while another would outline more specific development expectations.
Following the DDA’s March 4 meeting, Chair Tara Argo, a downtown business owner, said the authority was not yet ready to release the RFQ. The document must also be reviewed by the city attorney before it can be approved.
A final decision could come at the DDA’s March 21 meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Loganville City Hall council chambers at 4303 Lawrenceville Road.
Preliminary materials discussed at the March 4 meeting offered clues about the direction the authority may take. The agenda packet described a vision for high-quality, pedestrian-friendly mixed-use developmentfeaturing two- or three-story buildings along Main and Pecan streets.
Concept ideas include a restaurant-ready corner space, an outdoor courtyard, and a rooftop terrace, along with architecture designed to reflect a traditional Main Street style with brick masonry, defined storefronts, vertical windows, and varied rooflines.
Renderings shared with the authority illustrated possibilities such as a two-story brick building with a ground-floor restaurant and rooftop terrace, alongside attached retail spaces with large glass storefronts. DDA members also indicated they may favor a more detailed RFQ that clearly outlines the city’s expectations.
“I do not think we are going to want to use the simple one, because we are a very opinionated city,” Argo said during the meeting.
New DDA member Terry Parsons noted that even a more structured RFQ could still attract a variety of proposals from developers interested in helping launch a new chapter for downtown Loganville. |
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Registration is open for the N Zone Sports Gwinnett Youth Spring Soccer League, with games set to begin March 28. Families interested in enrolling their children must register by March 15, as the deadline is quickly approaching.
The spring league is open to boys and girls ages 3–13 and welcomes players of all skill levels. The program focuses on teaching the fundamentals of soccer while helping young athletes develop confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a positive and encouraging environment.
All Saturday games will be held at Truth Chapel Church in Loganville.
Parents who register their child this week will also receive a free N Zone Sports drawstring bag, while supplies last.
N Zone Sports Gwinnett offers youth sports programs designed to keep children active while building important life skills through play. The organization provides programs for children ages 2–14, including preschool enrichment activities, elementary after-school sports, and youth leagues.
Families interested in participating in the spring soccer league can register online at nzonesports.com/gwinnett. |
Quote Of The Day |
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” |
Eastside Rehabilitation Hospital names first CEO |
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LOGANVILLE, Ga., March 11, 2026 — Tom Morris has been appointed chief executive officer of Eastside Rehabilitation Hospital, a joint venture between Encompass Health and Piedmont. The hospital, under construction at 2945 Loganville Highway, is a 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital and is expected to open to patients in June 2026.
“I am honored to lead the opening of Encompass Health and Piedmont’s new hospital in Loganville and to serve as its first CEO,” said Morris. “Developing strong teams and delivering excellent patient care are my top priorities. We look forward to providing patients with high-quality rehabilitative care close to home.”
Morris brings more than 25 years of health care leadership experience to his role as CEO. He previously worked for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as senior vice president of hospital operations. Morris led hospital operations for operative services, nursing, imaging, laboratory, respiratory care, emergency and trauma. He is known for building strong physician networks, developing leaders and executing strategic initiatives.
“Tom has a proven track record of driving hospital excellence,” said Ronnie Wagley, president of Encompass Health’s South Atlantic region. “He is skilled in workforce strategies, patient satisfaction and regulatory compliance. Eastside Rehabilitation Hospital will have a strong impact on many patients’ lives under Tom’s leadership.”
Morris earned a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Trevecca Nazarene University. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Morris also serves as a board member for Mosaic Atlanta and has previously served on the boards of the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce and Snellville Tourism and Trade.
“We are pleased to welcome Tom to lead Eastside Rehabilitation Hospital,” said Larry Ebert, CEO of Piedmont Eastside. “Piedmont and Encompass Health leadership have worked hard to create a state-of-the-art hospital that will help patients in their healing journey. Tom’s expertise will help make this vision a reality.”
Piedmont Eastside Medical Center’s inpatient rehabilitation unit in Snellville, Georgia, will relocate to Eastside Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital will be Encompass Health’s ninth hospital in Georgia and eighth joint venture hospital with Piedmont. Eastside Rehabilitation Hospital will provide essential rehabilitative services to help patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions regain function and independence. Patients will receive a minimum of three hours of intensive therapy five days each week, frequent physician visits and 24-hour nursing care.
About Encompass Health
Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 174 hospitals in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is recognized as America’s Most Awarded Leader in Inpatient Rehabilitation by Newsweek and Statista and is ranked among Fortune's World’s Most Admired Companies™ and Forbes’ America’s Best Companies. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, X, Instagram and Facebook.
From Fortune.© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Fortune® is a registered trademark and Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Encompass Health.
About Piedmont
Piedmont is empowering Georgians by changing health care. We continue to fuel Georgia’s growth through safe, cost-effective, high-quality care close to home through an integrated health care system that provides a hassle-free, unified experience. We are a private, not-for-profit organization with more than 12,000 donors annually that for centuries has sought to make a positive difference in every life we touch in the communities we serve. We care for more than 4.5 million patients and serve communities that comprise 85 percent of Georgia’s population. Our patients conveniently engage with Piedmont online, as they scheduled more than 560,000 online appointments and over 120,000 virtual visits. With nearly 50,000 care givers we are the largest Georgia-based private employer of Georgians, who all came for the job, but stayed for the people. In 2024 and 2023, Piedmont has earned recognition from Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and also as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women. In 2022, Forbes ranked Piedmont on its list of the Best Large Employers in the United States. Piedmont provided more than $607 million in community impact in Fiscal Year 2024.
For more information, or to book your next appointment, visit piedmont.org. |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: A railroad stop along the Georgia Railroad |