What are your thoughts and impressions on the concept plan for the redevelopment of 22-acres of City-owned property in Downtown Alpharetta?
58 positions on forum
L Jones Inside Alpharetta
Deborah Zemlock Inside Alpharetta
There are some things in the concept that I like, but I have some reservations.
I had reviewed the initial design proposal, and subsequent modifications on line from the first few meetings. Like others, my initial impression was "it's way too stiff, formal, monumental, and unapproachable." I also have had deep concerns about the potential loss of trees from rerouting Haynes Brdg. Rd, and the initial design for the passive park area, which appeared to eliminate all the existing fabulous huge trees, and plant artificial rows of trees along the walkways. This is a key example of "nature does it better"...the existing trees are randomly and beautifully arranged, and provide great diversity (including the largest native Holly I have ever seen).
Last evening (7/21) I was finally able to attend the mtg. at City Hall. I was very impressed by how well you have listened to community feedback, and modified the plan accordingly. I am thrilled to see that there will be a plan to save the existing trees in the park area. I hope this area will have a very casual, natural feel...the kind of place that invites you to bring a book, sit down under a tree, and relax in the shade. Please don't make it too structured, or paved! Less is more here. The other green space looks more stiff than I prefer, but I understand the rationale for the visual lines to the new City Hall. If there ends up being some cafes along that area, perhaps they will enjoy outdoor seating areas along "the green".
I would still love to see more use of under-building parking, to minimize the amount of impervious surface created for buildings and parking areas. If that is too cost-prohibitive, how about using a pervious parking surface? I believe there are several options available, and it would be greatly in line with Alpharetta's green initiative. Perhaps there would even be some company who would partner with the city as a demonstration project. Additionally, if we could have green roofs on any structures, that would be fabulous.
Thank you for your work on this project, and for so effectively seeking input from the public, and communicating with us throughout the process.
Name not shown Outside Alpharetta
I like the concepts and look forward to further details.
Don't try to copy Charleston colors. Red brick looks good with our red clay. Leave the "beach feel" for the beach.
jim Lappe Inside Alpharetta
I am opposed to the idea.
I am opposed for multiple reasons:
1. The plan shows no new small shops to attract people to Downtown and create an attractive destination like Roswell
2. It includes demolition of the existing City Hall and replacing it with a "palace" at taxpayers expense
3. Multiple foreclosed or otherwise vacant commercial properties exist along Hwy 9 that could be acquired for use by the City to house staff at much less cost
4. Parking ramps are expensive to build and maintain and the proposed ramp is not convenient to commercial businesses now located in Downtown Alpharetta
The $29 million cost will come out of taxpayers pocketbooks for a project on very dubious benefits.
Name not shown Inside Alpharetta
I like the idea of redeveloping Downtown Alpharetta but do not like this concept plan.
Like most of the other commentors I agree that the idea of revitalizing our downtown area is excellent and something I look forward to. This plan looks sterile and uninviting though and I don't see how it'd actually bring commerce to the area. It seems like using what we have, the present stores and streets would be a good place to start. Adding wide sidewalks and shade trees would invite people in the summer, where a wide open park or stagnant reflecting pool won't. Creating an area similar to Canton Street in Roswell would be nice, where there's inviting shops and sidewalk cafes. That's a place you want to linger.
While I love books and libraries, I also agree that a library is a dying thing. A community center would be better, or better yet use the library money to expand the existing library and provide free wifi along with those shade trees. That'd encourage people to linger, eventually shop and bring actual people to the area. Something will have to be done for pedestrians as well, with the traffic as it is, it's simply too dangerous to move on foot around Main street.
I don't think a parking deck is a bad idea but making it more like the Atlantic Station parking would be a better one. If we're going to renovate an area, you may as well do it right the first time rather than having to redo it repeatedly.
Mike Fucito Inside Alpharetta
I like the concepts and look forward to further details.
I really like the overall design and concept. I think it will be good for the City image and our property values. We need a new library and a more functional City Hall building.
Name not shown Inside Alpharetta
I like the concepts and look forward to further details.
Conceptually I like the idea, the plan obviously has a long way to go. A couple of thoughts:
- rotate City Hall to be opposite of the new library creating a true endpoint to both ends of the reflecting pool axis. Discussions kept using the Washington Mall as reference, but the current configuration does not have anything at the other end of the reflecting pool opposite the library or opposite of the City Hall axis.
Putting CH directly off of the road opens it up to better vehicular and pedestrian access. Perhaps a loop raod entry off of Academy Street with parking.
- If CH is rotated it opens up the two open spaces to an axial alignment - CH previously bisected everything by being placed in the middle. these two spaces really should be connected to provide a more wide open feel. The open space that is flanked by future development now lends itself to more of an open air market feeling. Resaurants can spill out in to the space, perhaps a fountain/quasi stage in the middle. The "park" area can and should become more passive, and less lineal. Work with existing trees and make it more of a Central Park theme. Perhaps grade an area of grass to form a bowl for a small amphitheater.
-main street and the shops that comprise it MUST be brought in to this City Center. Widen the walks, add a median in the middle, provide raised crosswalk at both ends and the middle. If traffic & Highway 9 must continue to go through here - slow it down and make it a pedestrian experience rather than a vehicular one.
-I liked the idea of saving existing City Hall and turning it in to a resaurant, shop, or maybe a museum. Maybe the Visitor center moves here. Its historic and efforts should be made to try and save it.
Patrick J Brennan Inside Alpharetta
I like the concepts and look forward to further details.
This is I like but:
-I do not see how the existing buildings on Main Street such as the stores at the intersection of Main Street & Academy are incorporated into the plan;
-The parking deck for 450 vehicles is over the top on the need for this development;
-If the DOT moves forward to build a barrier on Hwy 9, how does this effect access to the new development?
-Is Fulton County on board for the library design that works with the design of this project?
-As far as "private" investment in this project, we see more companies closing office space and have employees work out of their homes that further reduce the need for office space;
-Will the City issue guidelines as to the type of retail that will be allowed into this development? In some cases, some of these new plans end up with 99-cent stores.
-Public transit is barely mentioned as part of this plan
Too many open issues to encourage people to support this plan. We do not need another Prospect Park & unfinished Westside Parkway where the City had no ability for even getting the road completed due to legal issues with the bankrupt developer. If we want "private" investment in these types of projects, we need to be "smart" of how we work with these private parties. We do not need a half completed eyesore in the middle of the City due to a private party's financial or legal problems
Jerry Hopkins Outside Alpharetta
I like the concepts and look forward to further details.
This is a great plan to keep downtown Alpharetta attractive to its citizens and business owners. Will the long term plans include an extension of Haynes Bridge that would parallel Main Street?
Let's do it!
Donald Mitchell Inside Alpharetta
I like the concepts and look forward to further details.
After attending last nights meeting, I love the plan that allows for green space fronting main street. This will allow for a beautiful lawn in front of our existing historic business district. The only thing I think it needs is a disappearing fountain in the center of the lawn. Other city halls have had these and they become a great gathering place for families and kids. A huge arch walk way in the middle of city hall would allow for both of the green spaces to be connected as one campus and maintain unity of design. I was a bit surprised to find so much concern over the parking deck. This is going to be hidden from site by the other buildings. Many cities have these and they blend in so much that they are often lost. Athens is a good example of utilizing multi level parking decks. They allow for more green space, parks and recreation areas. They are also beneficial for businesses as they allow for quick access to merchants.
The Le Font like design for the green space mall has been utilized for centuries around the world to accentuate the surrounding buildings and maintain a sense of nature in what could easily become an urban jungle if buildings are to fill in the space. If we recall in early American history, when planning Washington D.C., we consulted with the French to borrow the concepts of expansive lawn space in front of their public buildings. Granted we are not Washington, but incorporating this design concept of a mall, creates the same wonderful effect of an open space which allows for large civic gatherings. Even in our national mall, this becomes the space where art, music and heritage festivals take place.
Even in the piazzas of Italy their are major roads that surround the squares such as the cathedral square in Milan. Yet there are still patio restaurants, fountains and lots of public art. Also not mentioned in last nights discussion, was the importance of public art. Every significant city of any size utilizes public sculpture, art and fountains in their city landscapes. In other successful cities, that have been voted as having good quality of life, they maintain planters and landscaping with lots of flowering plants. This city center concept is the right preliminary layout for Alpharetta. It will be interesting to see how it transforms our city for the better.
There are some things in the concept that I like, but I have some reservations.
I need more information regarding the plans for Brooke St. and the future site of the Police Athletic League Program.
Brooke St.: I feel that you will totally ruin Brooke St by squeezing a lot of cars through it. I also don't like the crazy, severely angled turn to get new Haynes Bridge/old Brooke St. out of the way for your plans. I think you should have the park as a separate park and keep Haynes Bridge where it is. I know Haynes Bridge currently edges one side of the property now, but as you know, that is the steep, drainage area that would not be usable as a park. The other side, the usable side, which is flat and full of mature trees and lawn, is the very part you are planning on running a noisy st. through. I walk on Brooke St. and Haynes Bridge every day, so I see all the things you are having done there (homes and trees being cut or taken down), which many Alpharettans do not. I love the park concept, but to put a busy road through the beautiful park makes no sense to me. It then becomes a thoroughfare, not a quiet, soothing space that a park should be. Think of Wills Park, a space with great paths and trees like the new park should be. Now imagine it with Haynes Bridge Road running through it, not the same feel.
PAL: There has been no mention that the PAL bldgs are even there currently in your plans, or where you will house this program after you remove their bldgs. I see many youth playing, working out and being dropped off there. I know that tutoring and boxing occur there. Please share where you will continue this program, so I can get more excited and have "buy in" with your plans.