Alpharetta Wants To Revamp Vision For North Point District

ALPHARETTA, GA -- The city of Alpharetta is launching an initiative to update the master plan for the area around North Point Mall.

A team of nationally recognized experts in planning, design, retail development, and walk-ability has been engaged to assist in the effort to revamp the area referred to by the city as the North Point Activity Center.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Alpharetta residents and property-owners to work directly with our team to make the North Point area more inviting, walk-able and lively,” stated Alpharetta Director of Community Development Kathi Cook.

The North Point Activity Center includes all of the area along North Point Parkway between Mansell Road and Haynes Bridge Road. It also extends to the west to include the area along Westside Parkway.

The eight month process will update and clarify the community’s vision for the North Point Activity Center, identify strategy and policy enhancements to maintain and enhance the district, and prioritize public investments particularly related to maintaining mobility and enhancing the area’s walkability and vitality. Area residents and property owners will be invited to participate in the process through a series of three workshops to be held this fall and in early 2018.

The team will be led by Kimley-Horn, an Alpharetta and Atlanta-based planning and design firm with significant experience in Alpharetta and North Fulton. Joining the team are Jeff Speck, a nationally recognized planner, urban designer, and author who focuses on creating walk-able districts and cities, and George Banks and Kristi Rooks of Revel.

Banks is a 20-year retail veteran with extensive food and beverage and entertainment experience including the development of Krog Street Market Food Hall. Rooks is an expert in creative, innovative retail strategies. Geoff Koski, president of Bleakly Advisory Group, will lead the community-building effort’s market study and analysis.

The original North Point Livable Centers Initiative Master Plan, adopted by Alpharetta leaders in 2008, resulted in numerous improvements to the district, including landscaping interchanges along S.R. 400 corridor, intersection improvements along Mansell and Haynes Bridge roads and North Point area design guidelines that have improved the character and quality of new development.

It also gave birth to the Encore Parkway Corridor Project that will be completed later this month in partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia Department of Transportation and North Fulton Community Improvement District.

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