Sandy Springs Rolling Back Reopening Plan, Delaying Events

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The City of Sandy Springs is pulling back on reopening plans as cases of the coronavirus continue to surge. Changes include returning to virtual meetings of the city council and a delay in restarting events at City Springs.

“The health and safety of our residents and staff are our priority," Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said. "The upward trend in cases is concerning. We are in unchartered territory and must adjust course based on what health officials and the data tell us. Given what we know today, we feel it is prudent to look closely at activities where people tend to gather."

The July 21 meeting of the city council set initially as in-person and virtual will only be live-streamed. The July 22 meeting of the planning commission will be held in-person and live-streamed to accommodate public hearings already advertised. Future city council, planning commission and board of appeals meetings will be live-streamed until further notice.

The city is also canceling its planned summer concerts and is putting on hold hosting entertainment events in the Performing Arts Center, making a determination later this year on reopening dates.

“We are all feeling the strain from COVID-19, economically, physically and mentally," Paul said. "I understand the powerful desire to insert elements that bring back a sense of normalcy, but we are not there yet in terms of getting control over the outbreak. We all need to heed the advice of health officials: avoid large crowds; practice diligent hand washing; keep a 6-foot distance; and wear a mask when in public places.”