Gateway85 Gwinnett Community Improvement District is seeking proposals from experienced muralists to design and create powerful and inspiring outdoor murals that define the Southwest corner of Gwinnett County, roughly defined by Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Beaver Ruin Rd, Britt Rd and the DeKalb/Gwinnett County line inside the Gateway85 Community Improvement District. These murals will anchor two prominent locations in the district.
Project Background: The Evolution of Gateway85 “A Place in Motion”
To understand the Gateway85 district today is to understand a rich 50-year journey of transformation, resilience and cultural rebirth.
The Technology Boom (1970s–1980s): The area’s rise began in 1972 with the opening of the Western Electric cable manufacturing plant, which brought thousands of well-paid, union jobs and a forward-thinking corporate culture. Gwinnett County matched this growth with visionary investments in water, transportation and public schools. By 1980, the adjacent Bell Labs patented fiber optics, cementing the district as the technology hub of the Southeast.
The Downturn (2000s): The dot-com bubble burst hit the district hard. Massive layoffs by the plant’s owner at the time, Lucent Technologies, triggered severe wage loss and commercial property devaluation.
The Recovery (2001–Present): In the wake of this economic devastation, the Gateway85 Community Improvement District (CID) was formed. The resulting affordable commercial and residential rents attracted a wave of immigrants and entrepreneurial spirits. Over the past 25 years, a reimagined Gwinnett County school system and an explosion of cultural and business diversity have driven a remarkable economic recovery.
The Challenge: Infrastructure and Connection
Today, Gateway85 faces two distinct challenges as it continues to evolve:
Pedestrian Safety: The district has the highest percentage of households without a car in Gwinnett County (12%). While it boasts the county’s largest population of pedestrians, cyclists, scooterists and transit riders, the built environment remains unfriendly and occasionally dangerous for non-motorists.
Social Cohesion: While Gateway85 is a vibrant, majority-minority district with over 90 languages spoken, this immense diversity has not yet fully translated into a unified sense of community.
The Project Vision & Scope
Building on successful initial public art projects, including the Jimmy Carter Boulevard mural dedicated on October 1, 2025, and a utility box wrapping partnership with the Norcross Public Arts Council, Gateway85 CID is expanding its placemaking footprint.
With generous support from the Gwinnett Creativity Fund, the CID seeks to commission public murals at a key location within the district, the Southwest corner of Live Oak Parkway at Thompson Parkway.
Our Goal: To make our streets and sidewalks inherently more welcoming for non-motorists and motorists alike, while simultaneously building community, fostering civic pride and celebrating the diverse people and businesses that call Gateway85 home.
Mural Specifications
Dimensions: See below location
Surface: Concrete
Location:
Site Dimensions
About the Sites
Located within Gateway85’s central business area, the Live Oak Parkway site sits at the heart of one of the district’s most diverse commercial centers. The surrounding area is home to numerous Asian-owned businesses and restaurants, including the Hong Kong Supermarket located directly across from the Live Oak site. These locations represent the cultural richness that have helped shape Gateway85 into a thriving economic hub. Public art at these sites should celebrate the diversity of the community, and acknowledge the many people from around Asia who have found opportunity and built businesses here.
Theme
“A Place in Motion” explores the idea that Gateway85 is more than commercial corridors; it is a district connected through movement. The artwork should celebrate the people, cultures and continuous movement that define our district. From around the country and around the world, people have come to Gateway85 to build businesses, establish communities and contribute to the area’s economic and cultural growth. Proposed murals should celebrate the rich diversity of the district and honor the many backgrounds, experiences and journeys that have made Gateway85 a destination of opportunity and a place that people proudly call home.
Style: Open to artistic interpretation; should be welcoming, uplifting and visually engaging for pedestrians and passing vehicles. Gateway85 is seeking a bold, culturally reflective and visually impactful artwork
Timeline
Proposal deadline: November 20, 2026
Artist selection: December 13, 2026
Work begins: February 1, 2026
Work concludes: April 1, 2026
Mural completion and unveiling: By May 1, 2027
Proposal Requirements
Please submit the following in a PDF document that is 8.5×11 and doesn’t exceed a total of 5 pages (front and back):
A written concept for the mural, including how it reflects “A Place in Motion”
Artist statement and resume
Portfolio of previous mural work (3-5 examples preferred)
Estimated budget (including materials, travel, equipment and artist fees broken out per category. Lump sum totals only will not be considered.)
Proposed project timeline and any special installation considerations
Evaluation Criteria
Artistic quality and originality
Relevance to the district
Experience with outdoor public art/murals
Feasibility of execution within the timeline and budget
Community impact and visual appeal
Compensation
This is a paid commission. Final budget will be determined based on scope, materials and experience.
