On July 16th at 3:00 PM, Timothy Jones blind at birth, will walk across Beaver Ruin Road using an audible HAWK Signal system crosswalk for the first time. Timothy, who was home-schooled, had a love of music and began to play the piano by ear. He then studied for years with Patti Bennett and learned classical music largely provided to him in braille from the Library of Congress in Washington. Betsy Grenevitch, also blind, taught him how to read braille. This remarkable “perfect pitch” talent went on to gain his Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts of Music in Organ from Mercer in Macon where he lived on campus.

Timothy now wants to obtain his Master’s Degree in Piano Pedagogy from Georgia State to teach others, especially children, to learn how to play piano through braille.

To travel to and from school independently, it was necessary to use a crosswalk across Beaver Ruin Road. Gateway85 was already underway with the project and, with a special grant from the Georgia DOT and financial assistance from Gwinnett County DOT, the crosswalk has been installed. The original plan did not include an audible component, but this was about to change.

“This came about by happenstance,” said Robert Michener, Director of Operations for the Gateway85 CID. “We had identified the need for the crosswalk on the very busy Beaver Ruin Road because of the church, the school, and the many apartment communities located within that area. As project manager, I was out to inspect the progress when I was approached by Timothy’s mother. She asked if the system was audible. It was not.” Gateway85 then made another investment of $15,000 to add sound. The entire project cost $205,000

Many will gather for Timothy's birthday celebration at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, July 16th as the system is turned on, and Timothy will be among the first to walk across Beaver Ruin Road, a route he will take daily as he enters Georgia State for his graduate degree in August. According to Gateway85’s Executive Director Emory Morsberger “This is the kind of thing we do. We are always on the lookout for projects to improve traffic, landscaping, reduce crime, and improve the overall quality of life while promoting economic development in the district. Helping this young man continue to pursue his dreams in teaching blind children to play the piano required an extra effort we could not turn down”

Nancy Jones appreciates the help the CID has provided her family. “We are so proud of Timothy’s ambition and courage to live an independent life with many awards and accomplishments. We cannot thank Robert and the entire team at Gateway85 enough!” Timothy’s mother said.”