Sandy Springs city leaders, in accordance with requirements to review the Next Ten Comprehensive Plan, will be holding a community input meeting at city hall on Wednesday, August 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss potential redevelopment of the Sandy Springs Crossroads area, which is located just inside of I-285, along Roswell and Northwood roads.
The “Crossroads” area comprises over 2500 apartment units and is home to some of our most diverse and economically challenged populations in the city. Still, the individuals that live in this area have families to take care of. They’re cooks, nurses, teachers, entrepreneurs and more.
Most importantly, they’re our neighbors. That’s why we need to do our part to ensure that any redevelopment of the Crossroads area includes respectful consideration of what potential displacement would mean for them, our city’s local businesses and our community as a whole.
In 2015, the Sandy Springs City Council approved rezoning of a similar area near Roswell and Wieuca roads and, in the process, demolished 4 apartment communities (Versailles, Chastain, Andalusia and Belle Isle) resulting in 825 apartments being destroyed and more than 2,226 residents being displaced.
Not only were these residents displaced but they also received no compensation for moving expenses and were given just a two week notice.
We cannot let this happen again. Sandy Springs should be a place where we look after each other and come together to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to live and succeed here.
That’s why we’re asking you to join us at city hall on Wednesday, August 30 to share your ideas on how redevelopment can occur without displacing our friends and neighbors.
Our collective voices can make a difference.
