Sandy Springs’ plans for a new downtown moved one step further Thursday when about 60 residents turned out to shape a design scheme for a mile-long stretch along Roswell Road near I-285.
The session was the latest in a months-long series of public meetings held to field resident comment about the multimillion-dollar project. The city has already spent or committed $20 million to the project so far — all in cash.
Consultants from Boston-based Goody Clancy hope to have a single plan — one that includes general streetscapes, locations and transportation options — in place by the end of the year.
“We have the opportunity to influence a new zoning code, and that’s a rare opportunity in a city,” resident David Shonk said following the two-hour session. “I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Residents were asked to rate more than 100 slides of street scenes depicting residential and commercial buildings. Those designs judged most appropriate were recorded along with comments.
Eric King, a landscape architect, said the detail of the choices convinced him the city is serious about drilling down to the fundamentals of what residents want to see in a downtown.
“I’ve been to these before where I’ve felt like it was rigged, that they were steering you in a direction,” he said. “I feel like this is a step where they really want our input.”
Results from the survey were not immediately available, but many residents gravitated toward a diverse architecture scheme that allowed room for sidewalks and landscaping, particularly in retail areas.
Plans for a new City Hall and a downtown area date back four years to when the city paid $8 million for a 7-acre site near the corner of Roswell and Johnson Ferry roads. Two of the four proposed plans call for locating the government complex on that site, then adding commercial retail and office space nearby. Residential space would be included in some of the outlying areas.
Sandy Springs pays $1.4 million a year to lease its current City Hall in a one-story office park on north Roswell Road, but the size and layout of a new municipal complex won’t be determined until consultants compile resident surveys, city spokeswoman Sharon Kraun said.
In the meantime, residents are still debating over residential density and how much green space to include in the area, which runs from about Hammond Drive north to Abernathy Road.
Linda Bain, executive director of the Sandy Springs Conservancy, attended Thursday’s session to ensure green space is given its due, she said.
“We have a great opportunity right now to think about these gateways and a city center and to distinguish ourselves from surrounding communities,” she said. “We want to be a unique and interesting destination.”
About the Author
