The City took a major step toward digital transformation with the launch of its new Digital Innovation Initiative. Led by the Director of Data Strategy, Analytics, and AI Integration, the initiative unites technical teams across multiple departments to develop a comprehensive strategy, identify opportunities, and implement data-driven solutions that enhance services for residents.
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On May 2, officials, City staff, and community partners celebrated opening the first 1.88-mile segment of the Springway trail. This scenic route connects Roswell Road to Morgan Falls Overlook Park at Cimarron Parkway, providing access to the Chattahoochee River and advancing the Trail Master Plan.
Read MoreSandy Springs celebrated the opening of its new Police Headquarters and Municipal Court Complex on April 12. Officials, staff, and the community gathered at 620 Morgan Falls Rd. to mark the completion of this state-of-the-art facility, highlighting the City’s commitment to public safety and modern services.
Read MoreThe City of Sandy Springs unveiled its newest signature event, OktoberFEAST, a free, family-friendly celebration held October 19–20 at City Springs. Guests enjoyed Bavarian culture with live music, German beers, Bavarian cuisine, and even polka lessons.
The City celebrated the grand opening of Sandy Springs Fire Station 5 on July 1, 2024. Located at 7800 Mount Vernon Rd., this 10,912 sq. ft., two-story facility serves the Panhandle region and features apparatus bays, sleeping quarters, kitchen, conference room, climbing wall, and more.
To celebrate Emancipation Day, the City hosted a festive Juneteenth event with family activities like trivia, a West African drum circle, a student art exhibition, and a Namari Dance Center performance—drawing nearly 3,000 attendees! The event was chaired by Councilwoman Dr. Melody Kelley who coordinated an incredible team of community volunteers and sponsors.
The City of Sandy Springs celebrated the completion of its new fleet maintenance center on June 3. The facility features service bays, a fueling station, offices, parking, and a picnic area. It supports vehicle tech upgrades, equipment retrofitting, and full-service fleet maintenance.
The Sandy Springs Fire Department earned a Class 1 Public Protection Classification from the Insurance Services Office—the highest rating possible—signifying exemplary fire protection capabilities based on ISO’s analysis of key data. The department was first awarded an ISO rating in 2011, but continued to innovated, earning them the top ranking.
Two of the City’s largest projects began in April 2024 to transform the Mount Vernon Highway Corridor. Along with two-way traffic and a multi-use sidepath, the new Spruill Lane connector road—named for the Spruill family—opened in mid-December. When complete, pedestrians can travel seamlessly from City Springs to the Sandy Springs MARTA station.
Read MoreOn Veterans Day 2023, the City officially opened Veterans Park to honor service members from all U.S. military branches. The park includes a memorial plaza, monuments, flags, a fountain, sidewalks, trees, and benches. Pavers are available to honor veterans in your life through Sandy Springs Foundation. A year later, the City would unveil two meaningful sculptures specially designed for the space and donated by local residents.
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Skate City Springs debuted, welcoming 6,000 skaters in its first year! Open from Thanksgiving weekend through mid-January, the 5,000 sq. ft. rink let visitors slide, spin, and twirl under festive City Springs holiday lights.
To educate residents on local government and leadership, the City launched the inaugural Sandy Springs Citizens’ Leadership Academy, offering a comprehensive curriculum and opportunities to meet the Mayor, City Council, and City staff.
The City launched the Environmental Stewardship Program to encourage individuals to become Eco-Stewards, leading efforts to keep Sandy Springs beautiful through hands-on education in the urban forest.
Read MoreThe rebuilt Fire Station 2 officially opened on October 20. Located at 135 Johnson Ferry Rd., the new two-story, 21,144-square-foot station replaces the original 1969 building.
The current Transportation Master Plan was adopted in April 2021, updating the original 2008 plan. Beginning in February 2020, the 15-month process assessed current and future transportation needs, developing projects and strategies to improve safety and operations for all travel modes.
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We let dogs off leash for the City’s first Paws and Pastries event at Morgan Falls Dog Park, offering a fun, safe, socially distanced activity for pets and their owners during the pandemic.
The City marked the 14th MLK tribute anniversary with its first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Art and Film Festival. This family-friendly event celebrated Dr. King’s spirit through interactive art and an educational film sharing his teachings.
Sparkle Sandy Springs began in 2017 with Sparkle Village, featuring decorated miniature houses and a tree lighting at Heritage. As it grew, the event moved to City Green in 2019, adding new elements—including the Sparkle Sandy Springs Holiday Parade.
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In 2019, the City partnered with the Sandy Springs Conservancy and Path Foundation to develop a Trails Master Plan. The plan proposes 31.4 miles of greenways, side paths, and neighborhood trails connecting 12 schools, 15 parks, and neighboring jurisdictions.
In 2019, the City reviewed options and chose to shift certain services from contractors to city-provided, achieving an estimated $14 million savings over five years by adopting a hybrid public-private model.
To celebrate City Springs’ first anniversary, the City launched City Green Live, a free concert series featuring ten acts over five months. The series activated the lawn with diverse music genres and remains popular today.
Sandy Springs was first recognized as a “Tree City of the World” by the Arbor Day Foundation and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, honoring the City’s renowned tree canopy.
The City officially opened Marsh Creek Rain Garden, an innovative bio-retention facility that manages stormwater for City Springs while providing a passive park for the community to enjoy.
In partnership with Art Sandy Springs, the City launched ArtSS in the Open, a public outdoor sculpture competition at City Springs. Artists from local to national levels submitted work for display around the City Green, with selected pieces purchased annually to grow the City’s public art collection.
The City’s first new road since incorporation, Denmark Drive, was opened. Named for Dr. Leila Denmark (1898–2012), the world’s oldest practicing pediatrician who worked until age 103 and cared for patients across the metro area, including Sandy Springs.
Grand opening of City Springs, including the new City Hall and Performing Arts Center. On May 7, 2018, the community joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate City Hall’s move to its new location at City Springs!
The Transportation Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) began this spring, with the City launching the county’s first official T-SPLOST construction project, improving the intersection of Mount Vernon and Long Island Drive, which was completed that fall.
After a two-year update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Development Code, The Next Ten was approved by the State Department of Community Affairs and Atlanta Regional Commission. The Georgia Planning Association honored the City and Rhodeside & Harwell with the Outstanding Planning Process-Large Scale award.
The first annual, family-friendly Spooky Springs trick-or-treat event was held at Abernathy Greenway Park, drawing around 500 ghosts, goblins, princesses, warriors, and more for a fun Halloween celebration.
After launching the City Springs brand, Mayor and City Council decided it was time to refresh the City’s logo. Based on research, the Communications Department updated the logo and, working with branding partner Imbibe, unveiled the new design in October.
The City’s first Lantern Parade took place on June 18, 2016. Participants “took it to the river” with a parade down Morgan Falls Road to Overlook Park, marking a new community tradition.
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Lost Corner Preserve officially opened on March 17, 2016. The 24-acre site features wildlife, horticulture, and local history. Owned by only two families since 1821, it was deeded to the City by Peggy Miles in 2008.
Read MoreThe City’s first Citizens Fire Academy class graduated. Fifteen community members completed the 56-hour training program.
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The City reached a major milestone by earning its first bond rating: an AAA from Moody’s Investors Service, reflecting its strong tax base, healthy reserves, and manageable fixed costs.
In September, “City Springs” was revealed at the construction site. The groundbreaking event included gathering dirt from neighborhoods across the city, symbolizing the “collective” community coming together in this new development in the heart of the city.
The City signed a Sister City agreement with Western Galilee, Israel—a cluster of 11 municipalities with a population similar to Sandy Springs. Known for tech, medical innovation, tourism, and rich ethnic diversity, Western Galilee is home to Jewish, Arab, Druze, and Christian communities living and working peacefully together.
Eva Galambos, 87, Sandy Springs’ first mayor, passed away on April 19, 2015. When asked about her greatest achievement, she said, “My children.” She was a devoted mother of three and grandmother of six. She married her husband, Dr. John Galambos, in 1949 after meeting at the University of Georgia.
In 2015, the City held public meetings and launched an online survey to gather community input on the planned performing arts center and civic building, the City Center. The revised designs were unveiled in June, reflecting resident feedback on visual aesthetics.
Abernathy Greenway Park, a 20-acre linear park, opened as a true community partnership. The idea began during discussions about widening Abernathy Road. Residents proposed the park, and State Rep. Johnny Isakson championed it, helping integrate the park with GDOT’s road improvements. A community group worked with the City to guide the planning and construction.
On January 6, demolition crews brought down the former Target building at 235 Johnson Ferry Rd—a pivotal step in the City’s downtown revitalization efforts. Approved in 2012, the City Center Master Plan began to take shape with the clearing of this 6.9-acre site, setting the stage for a multi-year transformation. This period of change also marked a leadership transition, as founding Mayor Eva Galambos retired and Mayor Rusty Paul stepped in to continue guiding the City forward.
Mayor Eva Galambos presided over her final City Council meeting, where Governor Nathan Deal presented her with a commendation honoring her dedicated service to Sandy Springs and the State of Georgia.
The City’s first annual Sandy Springs Stars and Stripes Celebration took place on July 6, 2013, at the Concourse Corporate Center lawn, featuring live music and a fireworks show.
To enhance quality of life, promote economic development, and strengthen community connections, the City launched the City Center Master Planning initiative. Over the course of nine months, extensive input was gathered through stakeholder meetings, public forums, and open houses. The result was a plan, adopted by City Council, to create an active, pedestrian-friendly downtown—what would eventually become known as City Springs.
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The first Sandy Springs Police Citizens on Patrol class graduated, offering trained residents the chance to assist with traffic control at accidents, work sites, and events, as well as conduct residence and business checks when owners are away.
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From its incorporation until June 2011, CH2M Hill served as the primary contractor under an innovative Public-Private Partnership model. As the contract approached its end, city leaders initiated a new procurement process. Following a comprehensive review of available options, they concluded that dividing services among multiple contracts would result in significant cost savings. As a result, contracts were awarded to seven firms, each selected to provide the best value while maintaining high service standards.
Read MoreSandy Springs opened Overlook Park after purchasing the land from Fulton County with funds from the Sandy Springs Society. Discovering the river view, leaders invested $3.4 million to add hiking trails, a playground, a 300-person pavilion, and a historic 1840s chimney.
The ribbon was cut for the Sandy Springs Farmers Market, founded by Andy Bauman and Jeff Langfelder. Featuring fresh produce, artisan foods and more, the Sandy Springs Farmers Market quickly became a community favorite. Originally located in the Fidelity Bank parking lot at Sandy Springs Circle and Johnson Ferry Road, the Saturday morning marketed moved to City Springs once it opened.
Read MoreCo-founded by the cities of Sandy Springs and Johns Creek, ChatComm serves as Sandy Springs’ 911 Emergency Call Center. Operated through a Public-Private Partnership with IXP Corporation, ChatComm has been recognized as a model of success, consistently exceeding industry standards for 911 response times. Since its inception, the service has expanded to include the cities of Dunwoody and Brookhaven, further strengthening regional emergency response capabilities.
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Mayor Galambos and City Council members cut the ribbon for Heritage Sandy Springs, the site of the city’s original spring. The facility features an entertainment lawn and greenspace, making it a popular venue for weddings, events, and family gatherings.
Read MoreThe Sandy Springs Police Department launched its Citizens Police Academy, a 9-week course letting residents closely explore police operations. It offers participants a chance to meet officers, learn about their training, and build connections with those who protect the community daily.
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Newell, Inc. became the first Fortune 500 company to establish its headquarters in the City of Sandy Springs. Governor Sonny Perdue and Newell Rubbermaid CEO Mark Ketchum held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and announced the creation of 200 new jobs in the city.
One year after incorporation, Sandy Springs established its own Fire Department, led by Chief Jack McElfish until his 2014 retirement. Like the Police Department, it replaced Fulton County services. The department was officially commissioned on December 19, 2006, at the city’s first City Hall.
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The City acquired parkland and two fire stations from Fulton County, securing 12 parks: Abernathy Park, Allen Park, Big Trees Forest Preserve, Bull Sluice, East Conway Pocket Park, Hammond Park, Island Ferry Park, Johnson Ferry Road Greenspace, Morgan Falls Park, North Fulton Tennis Center, Sandy Springs Historic Site and Park, and Ridgeview Park.
The Sandy Springs Police Department was established to deliver effective, responsive law enforcement for the community. Eleven officers helped organize the department ahead of its July 1 launch, when it officially took over from Fulton County with 86 officers—42 from Fulton County PD.
At 12:01 a.m. on December 1, 2005, Sandy Springs officially became a city—the first new city in Georgia in more than 45 years. Founded on a groundbreaking Public-Private Partnership model, Sandy Springs partnered with the private sector to deliver core city services. This innovative approach allowed the City to launch operations just six months after the referendum passed, setting a precedent for efficient and responsive local government.
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Shortly after voting for incorporation, residents elected Eva Galambos as the City’s first mayor. She and the founding City Council—Tibby DeJulio, Dianne Fries, David Greenspan, Ashley Jenkins, Karen Meinzen McEnerny, and Rusty Paul—were sworn in by a Georgia Supreme Court justice.
Read MoreEfforts to incorporate Sandy Springs began in 1966, sparked by Atlanta’s attempts to annex the unincorporated area in North Fulton County. After four decades of advocacy, 94% of residents voted in favor of incorporation on June 21, 2005.
