Charles Mitchell served as Project Manager Sustainability Consultant for the first phase of infrastructure development within a 2,000-acre innovation district known as the Rowen Knowledge Community. Located in Gwinnett County, Georgia, the project is envisioned as a hub for research, education, and economic development, with long-term goals of creating over 100,000 jobs and contributing up to $10 billion annually to the state economy.
Initially focused on achieving SITES certification, the project later shifted toward pursuing Greenroads Certification, aligning with Rowen’s commitment to climate-ready infrastructure and sustainable development. Charles supported the integrated design team in implementing strategies that prioritized ecological performance, resource efficiency, and long-term resilience.
His leadership included:
Coordinating sustainability goals across disciplines.
Supporting certification efforts through documentation and design alignment.
Advising on stormwater strategies, native landscaping, and low-impact development practices.
The first phase delivered two miles of Greenroads Certified complete streets, multi-use trails, and smart city infrastructure across 800 acres of fully entitled land 2. The infrastructure was designed to mitigate climate impacts through biofiltration, reduced heat-island effects, and people-centric design.
Charles’s work helped lay the foundation for a transformative, sustainability-driven community that integrates research, innovation, and environmental stewardship.