Tuesday Open House Crystallizes Plans for Sandy Springs' New Downtown

Master planning firm Goody Clancy has held several public input meetings with residents on what Sandy Springs' new downtown should look like. An open house will be held from 6-7:30 p.m., today at City Hall on the latest plans.

They include a multi-use civic space at the old Target site on Johnson Ferry Road, with office space, a performing arts area, green space and mixed-use housing and retail nearby.

A formal recommendation of the master plan is expected to be presented to City Council in December. 

Has your voice been heard during the public meetings?

During an Oct. 30 public input meeting Sandy Springs resident and neighborhood activist Patty Berkovitz wondered if public feedback is being taken into consideration. 

“I want to feel if I’ve been spending time here that I’m listened to,” said Berkovitz to Ben Carlson, from Goody Clancy. “We want green space, and the Target site to be green space, not divided up into retail and a parking deck…”

Carlson said plans have evolved with a host of ideas being considered.

Plans include roundabouts off Mount Vernon Highway, bike paths, walkable streets with plantings, removing driveways to businesses on Roswell Road, burying street wires and ponds for collecting stormwater.

Downtown development would have to include private investment, officials say. “The city cannot do this alone. The private sector must participate,” said city spokesperson Sharon Kraun. Goody Clancy’s next steps include identifying opportunities for private investment, she added.