Resident: Sandy Springs' Image Hasn't Had "Open Discussion it Deserves"

What attracted you to move to Sandy Springs?

Was it the trees, woods, intimate neighborhoods with proximity to a large urban area? Was it traffic congestion, tall buildings, bustling activity, urban density? The answer begins to define our image. Before proceeding with a major development (i.e., our City Center/Performing Arts Center), any city planner will tell you there needs to be a clear concept of our city image because that is what the City Center will project.

No such image of Sandy Springs has been overtly agreed upon. There is pressure to move forward with an expensive city center even though a decision of our city’s image hasn’t had the open discussion it deserves. We need to be sure it is the image we want.

To my knowledge there has been 1 phone survey to gauge citizen reactions to the 750 to 1,000-seat PAC. It was structured to force apparent support and asked only 2 questions: what is your degree of support for the proposed PAC and would that degree change with corporate funding.

Whoever authorized this poll didn’t seem to want to consider other options but wanted the results to look as if there was significant support for this specific plan.

I urge you to insist that this important decision of city image be made in public with citizen input: write all the city council members and mayor (addresses are at http://www.sandyspringsga.gov/City-Government/City-Council); attend as many city meetings on the City Center as you and friends can (Wednesday, August 27 @ 6:00 PM); make your feelings known on the city’s website (http://sandyspringscitycenter.com/performing-arts-center/); speak up in Nextdoor and letters to the editors.

Susan Joseph, Sandy Springs