Sandy Springs Together

Everyone Deserves a Voice

Research Library

Sandy Springs must avoid the risk of unintentional gentrification

We support the city’s decision to request proposals for the redevelopment of four under-utilized shopping centers on the north end of Sandy Springs, and the creation of a Community Center as is outlined in the Parks and Rec Master Plan.

The potential redevelopment of these properties will most likely send a message that the North End is “open for business” as the North End Revitalization Task Force Plan stated was needed to stimulate economic growth in this area of town.

We are, as is most everyone, in favor of economic growth on the North End and realize that a stimulus is most likely needed. However, we are concerned that there is no actionon the city’s part to create a place for the families presently living in the neighborhoods, a stated goal of the Task Force.

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Cities Start to Question an American Ideal: A House With a Yard on Every Lot

A number of major U.S. Cities are making a shift in single family zoning amid mounting crises over housing affordability, racial inequality and climate change, and beginning to incorporate more required workforce housing.

Cities Start to Question an American Ideal: A House With a Yard on Every Lot (Published 2019)

Rising concerns about housing affordability, racial inequality and climate change are causing cities nationwide to re-examine their attachment to the detached house.

GDOT to invest billions in toll lanes, displace 40 single-family homes along the way

A recent article published in the Sandy Springs Reporter raised an important concern regarding the Georgia Department of Transportation’s recent decision to bring toll lanes to Sandy Springs, rather than MARTA rail expansion.

These toll lanes will cost billions of dollars. Yes, billions.

Not only that, they will displace 40 single-family homes, causing unnecessary hardship for working families in our city. The idea behind this project was to reduce commute times for workers, so you might be wondering … by how much?

1 minute.

This multi-billion dollar project has been promised to reduce commute times by one, single minute.

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Sandy Springs does not have to make the same mistake again

The following is in response to the city of Sandy Springs issuing a RFP for ideas to  revitalize four under-utilized shopping centers that will provide “detailed concepts for how each property could be developed to attract developer interest” quote from:    Sandy Springs to study redevelopment of four north end shopping centers.  (Sandy Springs Reporter dated 5/31/2019) 

Response from Melanie & David Couchman:

We are pleased that the city has decided to pursue the redevelopment of the North End by focusing on “repurposing” four underutilized shopping centers, an alternative approach that was outlined by the three dissenting task force members in the Appendix of the Task Force Plan.

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Founders of Sandy Springs Together attend event to study affordable housing in metro region

Left to Right: Sandy Springs Together founder Melanie Couchman, Carol Naughton, President of Purpose Built Communities and a panel member for the event, and Sandy Springs Together founder David Couchman.

The Founders of Sandy Springs Together, David and Melanie Couchman, attended “Defining Atlanta: Q2 Affordable Housing” an informative event hosted by the Atlanta Business Chronicle to explore the topic of affordable housing in the metro-region.

The event included panelists of private and public sector backgrounds. One of the panelists was Carol Naughton, pictured above. Carol is the President of Purpose Built Communities and served as a panel member for the event.

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Welcome to Sandy Springs Together

We are excited to launch the Sandy Springs Together website and to begin working with you to build a better, stronger and more inclusive community.

In this section, you will find the most-up-to-date news and information about changes coming to our community. You will also find ways to impact that change in ways that benefit everyone.

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