By Amy Wenk
amywenk@reporternewspapers.net
Sandy Springs resident Kim Bornstein was pleased with what she saw at City Hall on Feb. 22.
That evening, the volunteer with North Springs Charter High School perused maps of possible locations for streetscape enhancements along Roswell Road from Dalrymple Road to the Chattahoochee River.
The proposed project would connect sidewalks, install ramps for disabled people and add street lighting and other aesthetic features to 3.6 miles of Roswell Road, primarily on the eastern side.
Bornstein was happy to see North Springs included on the displays prepared by Mulkey Engineering and Consultants, although no designs or concepts have been developed.
“We are thrilled they are going to improve the streetscape along Roswell Road,” Bornstein said at the meeting to gather public comments. “We’re interested in improving the school’s grounds.” North Springs’ overgrown road frontage could become “safer and more attractive” for children, she said.
Federal dollars are allocated for the streetscape project.
Since 2008, the city has collected $500,000 to $600,000 a year from the U.S. Department and Housing Development’s Community Development Block Grant, said CDBG Program Manager Vann McNeill. If the council decides in May to devote all of the 2010 funds, the city will have $1.8 million for the project, he said
Council members have talked about devoting the next two years (2011 and 2012) of CDBG funds to the project, added McNeill.
He could not estimate the total cost of the project.
Streetscape upgrades would be completed in phases. McNeill said the first phase could begin construction in August or September.
Katherine Feeman liked the idea because of the federal aid. “It looks like these are much needed capital improvements,” said Feeman, Dist. 1 representative for the Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods. “If the federal government is going to provide funds for this, I’m all for it.”
The concept plans can be reviewed until March 8 at the municipal court entrance at City Hall, 7840 Roswell Road. Residents are invited to send comments and suggestions to the Sandy Springs Public Works Department, Transportation Planning Division, ATTN: Project T-0012, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500, Sandy Springs, Ga. 30350.