Sandy Springs to hold virtual focus group with renters

Sandy Springs is asking renters to participate in a focus group on redevelopment of the city’s North End. Four meetings with renters are scheduled to take place by video conference at noon and 4 p.m. on April 7 and noon and 6 p.m. on April 9.

City staff have contacted renters of apartments, condominums, townhomes or single family homes requesting their participation in groups of five to six people. The video conference will take place via GoToMeeting due to the coronavirus outbreak and Sandy Springs current state of emergency.

The focus groups will not be streamed live but the results will be made public said, Sharon Kraun, Sandy Springs director of communications.

Participants will be asked why they decided to live in Sandy Springs and what changes they would like to see in the North End. The area runs along the Roswell Road corridor extending from Dalrymple Road north to the bridge at the Chattahoochee River, as well as surrounding neighborhoods.

“We are taking input from as wide an audience as possible,” said Kraun, Sandy Springs.

Consultants from TSW planning firm will ask attendees for their feedback on potential mixed uses for four aging shopping centers in the community: North Springs Shopping Center, North River Shopping Center and the former Loehmann’s Plaza shopping center.

A similar community meeting held in March at City Hall drew more than 200 people.