North End Revitalization Task Force

In a previous State of the City address, Mayor Rusty Paul identified the creation of a healthy and vibrant retail environment, along with affordable housing opportunities in the city’s north end, as a top priority for City leadership.

In January 2018, the City Council adopted redevelopment of the North End as a City priority. Factors contributing to this initiative included aging low-density rental housing from the 1960s and 1970s, a declining retail environment, and a perceived lack of reinvestment compared to other parts of Sandy Springs.

A task force was appointed in March 2018 to guide the process. The task force focused on four primary activities as part of its visioning and planning efforts:

• Citizen engagement, including meetings with residents of the North End and other areas of the city to better understand concerns, priorities, and ideas for redevelopment
• Work sessions to assess existing conditions, explore future redevelopment visions, identify obstacles, develop draft recommendations, and provide guidance to the City Council
• Creating a structured process for gathering input from landowners, businesses, and nonprofit organizations involved in workforce housing
• Preparing a written report documenting the task force’s findings and recommendations

• North End Revitalization Final Report (PDF)
• North End Revitalization Task Force Appointment Resolution (PDF)

Task Force Meeting Schedule

The task force was scheduled to meet on the following dates:

• August 8
• August 22
• October 3
• October 17
• November 1
• November 15
• December 5

• December 5, 2018 North End Revitalization Task Force Agenda (PDF)
• North End Boundary Map (PDF)

October 18, 2018, Public Meeting

The dialogue regarding the future of North End redevelopment continued during a public meeting held on Thursday, October 18, 2018, at City Hall. More than 150 people attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the consultant presented draft visions and goals related to education, housing, housing affordability, arts and culture, economic development, transportation, and green infrastructure.

Following the presentation, community members participated in an open house to provide feedback and input. The meeting served as a follow-up to the public visioning workshop held in July 2018.

• October 18, 2018 Public Meeting Summary Report (PDF)

Meeting Summaries

• August 8, 2018 North End Revitalization Task Force Meeting Summary (PDF)

July 25, 2018, Public Visioning Meeting

The North End Revitalization Task Force held a public visioning meeting on July 25, 2018, at Sherwood Event Hall in Sandy Springs’ North End. Approximately 270 residents attended.

During the two-hour session, participants discussed two questions regarding the future of the North End. Working in 15 discussion groups, attendees shared 347 ideas and concepts focused on how the North End could evolve while continuing to support existing residents.

One component of the task force’s mission was to explore opportunities for adding new residents to the North End while preserving a place for current community members.

• Public Visioning Meeting Report (PDF)