Sandy Springs residents told city officials and consultants they liked the greenspace proposed for its North Springs MARTA Corridor project but were divided on tradeoffs and expenses for the project.
The city held a workshop during the day on Aug. 22 about project concepts. Approximately 40 people dropped in at city hall to share their feedback. A public information meeting followed at 6 p.m., with at least 20 more people attending.
Michelle McIntosh Ross, the city’s planning and zoning manager, said the project corridor is a 1.75-mile stretch of Peachtree Dunwoody Road from Abernathy Road to Spalding Drive and the North Springs MARTA Station.
Sandy Springs resident Doug Morgan said bringing together the transit with the neighborhood and improving walkability is a huge benefit for the city. He liked that the hilly topography would force some green space if buildings were constructed on the undeveloped 13 acres of MARTA station property.
Adam Hicks said he was worried about tree loss, while other residents thought 12-foot side paths were too expensive and wouldn’t be used.
Many residents at the Flats at North Springs don’t know the location of a pedestrian bridge that connects their multifamily development to the transit station, said Sarah McColley, a senior urban designer at Perkins and Will. Motorists drive past the station on Peachtree Dunwoody Road without knowing its location.
McIntosh Ross and city consultants said making lanes and configuration more uniform on that section of Peachtree Dunwoody was another project goal, as was identifying a preferred route to extend the PATH 400 trial north to the station area.
An online survey and two pop-up events at the North Springs MARTA Station – from 7:30-10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, and Saturday, Aug. 31 – will offer more opportunities for residents to let the city know what they think about the concepts.
More information about the study can be found on the city’s website.
Sandy Springs received funding and support for this project from the Atlanta Regional Commission through its Livable Centers Initiative program. MARTA and the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts are partners in the study.
