Old Alpharetta is Where It's At

There is something happening in Alpharetta.  It’s not Avalon – literally.  It’s not City Center.  That is happening right before our eyes and yes, it has potential to be nice, but no. No.  What is happening is located in downtown Alpharetta and it involves 2 perpendicular thoroughfares and 2 side streets.  It is the Milton Avenue, Roswell/Canton Street, Old Roswell/Old Canton Street trapezoid.  This is where it is happening. This is where it's at. 

For decades this little area sat still while the Mayors and Councils from the early 1980’s through the 2000's were busy presiding over another build-out of Alpharetta - the North Point business corridor and the Windward development; as well as the park system - notably the Greenway.  I remain in awe over their skill and vision in doing all of the above.

But now, this year, someone, or a collective force of somebodies, has made the Old Alpharetta trapezoid….wait for it, wait for it…..desirable. 

Maybe our current Council did it!  They have talked about the future greatness of City Center ad infinitum.   Could it be that some of that future talk spilled back into the present?

It could that the events in the trapezoid this year have been, in a word, awesome.  Thank you, Special Events for the city of Alpharetta.  Food Truck Thursdays have had great food, music and that big, shady tree.  The Farmer's Market is hopping. My husband and I went yesterday and got tamales, butter bread, blueberries from south Georgia and best of all - 2 popsicles from King of Pops.  

It could be that people in general like quaint things like wonky side streets and the look of old buildings from any era but our own. Who cares if it’s the back of some buildings. Make the back into the front!  Better parking on the back side anyway.  And people really, really like big trees that provide shade.  Eh-hem, told you so.

For the first time – ever – I found myself believing that this would be a great place to have a condo – right there in downtown Alpha-ready.  Folks my age are leaving their 4/3's with basements for this very kind of thing, you know.  I have an acquaintance at work that raised her kids in Gwinnett County, but now resides at the corner of Peachtree and 28th', sipping wine on her balcony and watching the cars and people of Buckhead.  

I don’t want to move to Buckhead, though.  Too much traffic and noise.  And I may reminisce about the Disco Kroger in Buckhead, but I want my nice, suburban Kroger and Publix. I like Alpharetta. 

So, I can understand the desirability of a townhome or condo in the most quaint, historic, tree filled section of Alpharetta with plenty of food and goings-on nearby.

Given the parameters of preserving historic buildings, incentivizing small businesses and restaurant owners to take a chance on location, well maintained sidewalks (yes, the concrete planters count in this) and keeping the shade trees, I only have one thing to say – start developing.  Old Alpharetta is a gold mine.