2: Task Force Overview

The following is a brief summary of the North End Revitalization Task Force Plan, with an assessment of each initiative by Sandy Springs Together.

Sandy Springs Together is in favor of smart development that prioritizes policies and practices that protect against displacement and gentrification including the “right of return” for residents who are displaced.

In addition, we favor redevelopment of under-utilized shopping centers and office parks BEFORE demolition of existing apartments.

Strategic Initiative 1 and Recommended Starting Point: Housing Development new construction:

The Plan: Begin with Catalyst Project, (page 40 and page 41)
- Focused in the North River Area – contiguous “60 – 80 acres or more” (diagram page 26 )
  - Demolish up to 1200 affordable/workforce rental apartments in good condition
  - Build single-family, detached homes $289K – $1.5M
- Model to “serve as a template for future developments” throughout North End (page 40)
  - Possibly into other parts of Sandy Springs (I-285/Roswell Rd. is a potential)
  - Each redeveloped area will be a “community”
- Create a “sense of place”; single family homes, walkable, updated retail and green space.
Weakness of plan:
- No representation on Task Force of key stakeholders
- Requires displacement of 1000 – 3000 residents
- Requires Taxpayer dollars – $1-1.5MM per acre used to “buy down” cost of land and cost of construction (page 12 – financing gap).
  - City to be partner in building infrastructure for “FOR PROFIT” Developers.
  - City to give Developers tax incentives and abatements – to lower cost
- No accommodation for current resident displacement, or return once development is complete
  - No path for entry level home ownership, causing permanent displacement
  - Plan calls for multi-family, mixed income many years later, timeline not in plan
  - Deplete Public School student enrollment –possibly cause school closure

Strategic Initiative 2: “Greenline”, non-motorized walk/bike path

The Plan: Build a network of paths
- Task Force Discussion: Extends from Morgan Falls Rd to Chattahoochee River at Roberts Dr./ Ga. 400 Overpass
- Will connect MULTIPLE NEW development communities
Weakness of plan:
- Although we voted FOR this initiative, it could potentially displace residents

Strategic Initiative 3: Tame Roswell Rd.

The Plan: Roswell Road will be “tamed” and made more walkable
Weakness of Plan: there are no weaknesses, this is a high priority

Strategic Initiative 4: Create connections throughout the North End

The Plan: reconfigure streets to allow more east/west connectivity
- Street grids reconstructed
- Allow more east/west transit, connecting North River Pkwy, Roberts Dr. and Dunwoody Pl.
Weakness of Plan: (see diagram on page 26 of plan)
- Although we voted FOR this initiative, it could potentially displace residents
- No plans for accommodating displacement of residents

Strategic Initiative 5: Create access to the Chattahoochee River and its public lands

The Plan: Build green space and parks
- Ties into Greenline and Chattahoochee River/Roswell Rd. pedestrian bridge to Roswell
Weakness of Plan: there are no weaknesses, we are in favor of this initiative.

Strategic Initiative 6: Build a community center for the North End

The Plan: Community Center is desired by whole community
Weakness of plan: there are no weaknesses, this is welcome amenity.

Next: Section 3 >