Sandy Springs stands at a pivotal moment in our city’s economic journey. We are home to large and influential multinational corporations, exciting startups, and regional companies that employ thousands of people and drive our economy. We also have entrepreneurs and small business owners who operate the local shops and restaurants we frequent in our everyday lives and who are the backbone of our community.
As a City Councilman and recently appointed Vice Chair of the Sandy Springs Development Authority, looking ahead I see many opportunities. Notably, we must advance Phase 2 of our City Center; redevelop outdated and obsolete commercial properties; rejuvenate Sandy Springs’ North End; and address the looming commercial office market crisis.
Long before our City Center’s inception, I co-founded the Sandy Springs Farmers Market, transforming the dilapidated Target parking lot into a thriving community space on Saturday mornings. Now in its 15th season, the farmers market, along with other events, concerts, and festivals in our City Center, epitomizes our residents’ desire for a central hub offering a lively gathering space for entertainment and opportunities to support local shops and restaurants.
While our City Center has flourished, there is still work to be done. For Phase 2, it is clear our residents want a balance between growth and preserving our community’s character. I have heard repeatedly they want an emphasis on connectivity, walkability, green space, and public art. They desire more owner-occupied housing and a “village feel” with locally inspired retail shops and restaurants, featuring outdoor dining and open, connected social spaces. And they want it to be safe. Learning from the experiences of neighboring communities, we must recognize the need for thoughtful planning and careful oversight of nightlife to ensure a vibrant, yet safe and family-friendly environment for all to enjoy.
Beyond our city center, opportunities for redevelopment in Sandy Springs abound, especially the commercial strip shopping centers and multifamily residential complexes that are past their useful life or beyond repair. We should encourage and incentivize the redevelopment of these older properties, and in the case of apartment complexes, hold property owners and managers accountable to ensure that all residents have access to safe and well-maintained housing.
Sandy Springs’ north end presents a prime opportunity for new investment and redevelopment. By directing city resources and economic incentives here and engaging all the stakeholders, we can cultivate a more vibrant community, enriching residents’ lives with diverse amenities and opportunities for shopping, dining, and quality housing, all within a safe and welcoming environment.
Lastly, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for our commercial office sector, with vacancy rates soaring and some office buildings facing obsolescence and possible foreclosure. We should view this crisis as an opportunity to collaborate with property owners and all stakeholders in our community to creatively reimagine and repurpose these properties. By transforming them into mixed-use developments or innovative working spaces accommodating forward-thinking businesses, we can better meet the diverse and changing needs of our community. The message should be clear: Sandy Springs is open for business, and we welcome new investment in our city!
Looking Ahead
As we embark on these ambitious endeavors, our commitment to quality of life for all who live and work in Sandy Springs must be resolute. We must aspire to attract a new generation of young people and families who will drive our future by supporting our schools, workforce, and local economy. We must be unwavering in our efforts to maintain Sandy Springs as an attractive, exciting, and safe community for all who call it home. And as we navigate this journey, transparency, community engagement, accountability, and fiscal responsibility must be paramount. Together, we can shape a future that reflects the absolute best of who we are, and all that we aspire to be.