Alpharetta Postpones Downtown Revitalization Plan Reveal

UPDATED 2:15 P.M.: Alpharetta has postponed a presentation on a concept to revitalize its downtown until later in the month, the city reported this afternoon.

Previously it was reported that City Council could as soon as Monday introduce the  latest plans for its downtown. But now that has been postponed to later in May. The only meeting scheduled for City Council on Monday, May 9, is an executive session at 7:30 p.m., which will include pending litigation on its agenda.

City Councilman D.C. Aiken said a concept has been discussed by council members that includes a new City Hall, downtown greenspace, space for a new library branch and the shift of a section of Haynes Bridge Road to accommodate some of these features.

The city has bought land on the east side of Haynes Bridge Road to accommodate the concept, confirmed Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard.

The cit hasn't offered Milton Center (old Milton High) to Gwinnett Tech for its North Fulton campus, but it was aware of the Fulton County School system's offer of that property, and is supportive of that offer.

"There are no plans for amphitheater in downtown. A new City Hall is possible," Drinkard said about the concept, first reported by the Alpharetta Roswell Revue & News.

Acting  Downtown Alpharetta Trade Association (DATA) Board Chairman Dick Debban said he thinks this is the opportune time for the city to act.

"We are all in favor of trying to float a bond for this thing to try to get something going," he said. "I think that's what the downtown needs, something to get things started down there."

Councilman Aiken said a concept that's been discussed–but not voted on–would require moving a section of Haynes Bridge Road staring even with Publix. That would give the project a lot more park space, he said.

Nothing specific is planned involving other buildings, which Aiken said would require more detail on the financial end. When the concept is presented, a new city hall, courtyards and greenspace will be seen.

"We want businesses, restaurants, shops, all of that is encompassed in this, but that's something that the free market also determines," Aiken said.

During the May 2 City Council meeting, Aiken asked Finance Director Tom Harris if the city could float the bond and not raise taxes. Harris said yes, up to $29 million.

"Whether it's that or not probably will probably more be determined how citizens look at it during show and tell periods, so to speak," Aiken said.

He said this is something the city's waited for four or five years since the first concept came before City Council. Assuming local residents like the plan, however it's tweaked, and it is done without raising taxes, Aiken said "it's going to be a home run."

If everything goes according to the plan that's only been discussed so far, Aiken believes dirt could be turned during the first or second quarter of next year.
"We already own the land, not like we have to buy it," he said. "We're not using bond money to acquire land."

"There is a concept that we have yet to vote on. I do know that possibly the concept will be presented on Monday, but I don't know that for a fact," Aiken said.

If the concept moves forward, some public meetings would be held before the City Council would vote on whether to put the bond referendum on the ballot.

"I think it's an outstanding concept, I think it's an outstanding plan," he said. "However, somebody in the crowd might think different."

Alpharetta has offered three acres of land within 20 acres it has for the downtown project, but won't build the new library branch for the Atlanta-Fulton County Library System, he said. But the city is waiting to hear from the county on its offer. If the offer isn't accepted, that shouldn't matter.

"I think it accelerates the revitalization of downtown if they choose to go there. But wihtout it, I don't see why we wouldn't go through with it. It isn't a cost issue. We already own the land."

Donald Mitchell, a DATA board member, said the group is in total support of a city center project or a village project.

"I think finally the stars have lined up and the financial backing is in place to do it in a responsible way," said Mitchell, owner of Donald Mitchell Designs.

He welcomed the city's offer of land to the Atlanta-Fulton County Library System for a new library branch.

"It's all like a shot of adrenaline for Alpharetta," Mitchell said.

He said this should make Alpharetta the premier shopping district of North Atlanta.

"We're just excited that the council is thinking in this direction," Mitchell said. "We'll want to keep the charm about this city, and I think this will do that."

Demolition of buildings on the city's downtown property has begun, Drinkard said.

"Basically, those are old structures that the city owns that were not in use. They needed to come down because they were not in use. They had asbestos in them, lead paint.