City of Sandy Springs Newsletter

MAY

2014

City Selects Landscape Architectural Firm

Summer Camp

Upcoming Riverwood Meetings

Sidewalk Construction

Bridge Installation

Traffic Signal Installation

Reminder to Vote

Election Signage

Code Enforcement

Restaurant Guide

Women's Classes

Upcoming Events

CAC Food "n Fun Festival

HSS Events

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Welcome to the May 2014 edition of the Sandy Springs E-Newsletter, a publication that highlights news and events happening within the City. More information from City Hall can be found online at sandyspringsga.gov. You can also telephone our Call Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 770-730-5600.

CITY SELECTS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL FIRM

At the April 15, 2014 City Council meeting, it was announced that the contract for landscape architectural services for the future City Center will go to Atlanta-based jB + a, Inc.

Sandy Springs City Manager John McDonough cited the agency's experience with multi-use green space park projects, including work in the cities of Suwanee and Buford among the factors weighing in jB + a, Inc.'s selection.

Other signs of progress can be found in the City Center area. Demolition is underway on the facility that once was home to the Waffle House (don't worry, you can get your fix of hash browns and grits at their new location just down the street on Roswell Rd). The City has also grassed over land following demolition at Johnson Ferry and Sandy Springs Circle providing erosion control and temporary public-use play fields. Recreation and Parks will permit use and supervise the area. Athletic teams and community groups interested in using the field must contact Recreation and Parks for permitting. The area will be locked unless a permitted group is using the field.

HAPPY CAMPERS, HAPPY PARENTS!

Long considered one of the best kept secrets for being affordable and fun, the summer camps offered through Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks are a wonderful way for children to spend the long, lazy days of summer with old friends and making new ones. Whether your child is an artist, an athlete or both, there is something for everyone. For more information and to register, please click here.

NEXT ROUND OF SCHOOL DESIGN ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS SET FOR MAY 7 and MAY 14

AT RIVERWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Riverwood International Charter School recently hosted a meeting featuring national experts in the field of education, leadership, and technology who discussed how instructional design should serve as a foundation for school design. Two additional forums are scheduled at Riverwood for

May 7 and May 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All Fulton County students, staff, parents and community members are invited. Riverwood is scheduled to receive a 26-classroom addition and major renovation as a part of the capital program funded by SPLOST, the one-penny education sales tax approved by Fulton County voters.

Riverwood is located at 5900 Raider Drive in Sandy Springs.

SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION - ROAD CLOSURE

Sidewalk construction work will begin on the north side of Glenridge Drive between High Point and Colton Roads. The westbound lanes of Glenridge Drive will taper down to one lane before reaching Royervista Drive. Please see the map for specific lane closure areas. The closure will be in place until August 2014.

BRIDGE INSTALLATION

Bridge construction began on the Dunwoody Club pedestrian Bridge. Brief traffic interruptions can be expected. Construction is expected to last 4 weeks and will be done without a detour.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION - INTERSECTION OF JOHNSON FERRY AND WRIGHT ROADS

Work is underway to install the traffic signal at the intersection of Johnson Ferry ad Wright Roads. Currently underway is the installation of fiber optics. The signal heads and mountings are also in construction, built off-site and assembled as one of the final steps in the process. Pedestrian crosswalks will additionally be included as part of the project. The project has a 60-day construction calendar, and is on schedule to meet that deadline, weather permitting.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON TUESDAY MAY 20

Sandy Springs residents can head to the polls on Tuesday, May 20 to vote in the Primary Election. For more information and a full listing of qualifying candidates, please visit the Secretary of State's website- election tab.

UNDERSTANDING THE CITY ORDINANCES REGARDING ELECTION SIGNS

The City of Sandy Springs has various sign ordinances which govern the type and number of signs that can be displayed on private property during an election.

In order to help you understand how these ordinances apply to the signage on your property, the City has created this guide

CODE ENFORCEMENT DO'S AND DON'TS

Spring is a great time to get out the "to-do" list and get busy on home improvement projects. To keep Sandy Springs beautiful and safe for all of the residents and visitors, the City offers the following friendly reminders:

Exterior paint: If the exterior of your home is peeling and flaking, it's time to consider adding a new coat of paint.
Motor Vehicles: Please work on your car in your garage or driveway and not in your yard. If the project includes painting, it's only permissible inside an approved spray booth.
Tall weeds and grass: We know that grass sometimes takes off, growing "like a weed." The lawn needs a trimming if it gets higher than ten (10") inches tall.
Grading and Drainage: If you're planning yard renovations, please keep a watchful eye on grading and maintenance to prevent erosion and accumulation of stagnant water.

For more information, visit the Code Enforcement page on the City's website

SANDY SPRINGS RESTAURANT GUIDE

Sandy Springs Hospitality & Tourism is compiling an online restaurant guide to highlight the great local eateries around town. Please let your restauranteur friends who operate in Sandy Springs know, and have them contact Justin.Pratt@sandysprings.org with information about their restaurant. The guide can be found at www.VisitSandySprings.org/Savor.

MONTHLY SAFETY CLASSES PROVIDED BY SSPD

The Sandy Springs Police Department sponsors monthly classes for Women's Self-Defense and Firearm Safety. The next Women's Safety class is May 15 and will cover a variety of topics including how to respond to a physical attack, and increased awareness. There's no charge to participate.

For more information, contact Sergeant Ron Momon Sandy Springs Police Crime Prevention Unit at 770-551-6947 or rmomon@sandyspringsga.gov

UPCOMING EVENTS

National Kids to Parks Day - Saturday May 17, 2014 at Hammond Park

Sandy Springs and other cities across the nation are committing to a simple motto: "Active kids are healthy kids," and National Kids to Parks Day encourages residents to use local parks and recreation sites to develop more active, healthy lifestyles. Activities will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include: potato sack races, Tug-a-War, Water Slides, Inflatables and much more. All events are free.

TIME FOR CAC'S FOOD 'N FUN FESTIVAL!

Please mark your calendar for CAC's 2nd Annual Food `n Fun Festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All festival-goers are asked to bring a food donation to help fill the CAC Food Pantry for the summer. The pantry often goes empty in the summer months when requests for food from families are the highest.

Hunger Awareness Walk, register now online. Adults $10 each (includes festival admission), Kids ages 14 and under walk and festival admission are free!
Cool Food `n Fun T-shirts are available online for $10, advance purchase only by April 26.
Team registration information is online.

Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks is one of the event's sponsors. Additional information is available online at: www.ourcac.org

NEIGHBORHOOD CONTACT UPDATE

Help us keep you informed! Please complete this online Home Owners Association/Neighborhood Contact Form so we can keep you updated on city related projects and activities.

HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Starting with the weekly Farmer's Market, this month's children's gardening program, "Little Diggers," Banks and Shane kick off this season's Concerts by The Springs and love is in the air with Rings by the Springs!

Concerts By The Springs
Now celebrating its 18th annual year, Concerts by the Springs is held at Heritage Green, on The Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn. Scheduled on Sunday evenings throughout the summer, the first concert is scheduled for Sunday May 11, 2014 and will feature Atlanta's popular duo, Banks and Shane. All concerts are from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and are FREE to the public. Click here for more information.

Little Diggers: Wildflower Seed Balls

Saturday, May 17, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Heritage Sandy Springs, 6110 Bluestone Road, Sandy Springs

Led by garden educators from the North Fulton Master Gardeners, in each of the free workshops, children ages 6 - 10 and accompanying adults will learn about simple gardening techniques, basic horticulture and the science behind plants.

Rings by the Springs

An all-day series of mini-weddings on Friday, May 30th, where up to eight couples may enjoy a beautiful garden ceremony without the stress of planning a large event.

For $500, each couple will receive: one hour of exclusive access to the historic park, seating for 20 guests in a beautifully decorated gazebo, short ceremony with music, complimentary bouquet, champagne toast and cupcake cutting, and professional pictures.

For more information contact Heritage Sandy Springs.

Don't Forget: The Heritage Sandy Springs Farmers Market will run every Saturday, April-November from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Photo supplied by Flickr user Willam Cho