What are your thoughts and impressions of the refined site plan for the Alpharetta City Center Project as released June 2012?

Overall, I like this plan and believe it is the right direction for Downtown.

I have been actively involved with the re-development of downtown Alpharetta for many years. I have seen many conceptual plans, both small and large in scale. While I still cannot see everything that will be included in the ultimate product, I am confident that downtown Alpharetta will be far better than it is today. I disagree with other comments made that there has been any misrepresentation of what might be developed. Throughout several iterations of this project, there has always been unspecified "Future Development". What would you expect this development to be? I for one, have no problem with proportional mixed-use...even with a residential component.

I support the revitalization of Downtown Alpharetta but do not like what I see in this plan.

I like having the city hall and library face each other, but something doesn't seem right with the parking garage and traffic. The original plan seemed to have the city center as a more pedestrian friendly space by having traffic routed around the center. Parking entrance was more from the main road into the garage in the old plan. Now traffic is flowing into the garage through the town center. Also, what about sidewalk width to allow for outdoor patio seating. Also, having a center with the splash park for kids it's better to have it a no car zone unless of course the splash fountain has been removed. I think it should still be included b/c that was one of the features that attracted my family to support the project. Also, the exterior architectural details should be elegant, refined and well thought, bright, optimistic, classic. Lots of flowers would be nice. Thanks for soliciting our input and listening to our concerns.

I support the revitalization of Downtown Alpharetta but do not like what I see in this plan.

I have concerns over City control of the design in the use of Mixed Use in the parcels for private development. I understand the need for some residential to further the success of the businesses in the downtown district, however feel that the city should exercise caution with this. The concept for the Crabapple Village district was similar and has failed to achieve the Village look that was originally proposed AND has failed in the success of many of the businesses. Being told that the drawings and artist renderings that have been used to draw support (and yes to the bond vote) were just concept drawings doesn't boost my confidence in the City. Uses for the privately developed parcels need to be weighed carefully to avoid a copy of Avalon, and thus competition between the two developments for leases; and also to avoid yet another development popular for "nightlife" only. You can only have so many bars, tasting rooms, beer growler boutiques and restaurants and still have a healthy entertainment area for families.

Overall, I like this plan and believe it is the right direction for Downtown.

Having multiple street access to City Hall, the parking garage, and the buildings slated for future development is a better integrated or balanced approach. The design resembles a small campus just like the one my daugher was on in college!

Overall, I like this plan and believe it is the right direction for Downtown.

It seems that the ultimate success of the plan is what ends up in the 'future development' space. We need businesses that will draw people to downtown especially restaurants with outdoor dining space. If you look at downtown Roswell, the dining establishments combined with a number of interesting boutique shops is the draw. A city hall, library and parking garage in themselves really mean nothing to the success of drawing visitors to our downtown. I'd like to see more specifics on what's planned for the future development.

I think I may like this but am having a hard time envisioning what it would actually look like when built.

I do not see any plan that will eliminate the traffic issues on Main Street or on Haynes Bridge Road especially in the PM rush hour. Haynes Bridge will continue to back up during the PM rush hour possibly all the way back to the proposed round about that will defeat the purpose of the round about. These traffic problems will further complicate access and exits from the proposed parking deck & access to the new library. These traffic issues and challenges must be addressed as part of this development.

I support the revitalization of Downtown Alpharetta but do not like what I see in this plan.

The new plan is at least three times as dense as the 2011 Master Plan that was approved by voters. The Mayor and Councilman Mitchell ran on platforms of less density, so what were those promises worth? The new plan appears to add hundreds of apartments and condos, even though voters were promised there would be no high density residential, and the new architect said that residential was not necessary. The new City Hall has been moved into Brooke Street Park, reducing the park's size. The new City Hall increased from three to four stories so that the apartments could be added. The old City Hall will be demolished, even though voters were promised that it would stay. There is even a big building that wraps around the side of the Publix.

The architect is great, but the direction that the City gave him is the problem. The City's bid package to the architects said, "While this plan (the 2011 plan that we approved) has passed through a number of community input workshops that were very valuable, it is only a preliminary effort. It was useful in explaining the project components to the community".

We hire a good architect to improve upon the approved Master Plan. There are many good, necessary changes, such as the interconnecting streets, on-street parking, wide 20-ft sidewalks and deeper stores to allow for loading/deliveries. Most people could accept those improvements to the plan that they approved. However most people wouldn't accept creating a whole new plan that adds apartments, condos and triples the density of the private development. It seems like classic bait and switch.

Overall, I like this plan and believe it is the right direction for Downtown.

Looks well placed and easy access around the entire project... a suggestion, and this might already be in the plan is to have locations for vendors for street fairs and the such for community activities like "Taste of Alpharetta" and other fairs that we have in Alpharetta.

I am opposed to the idea.

Why would you create a "downtown" with "living space"? There should be a cool, green area for taking leisurely walks. Why create a closed in downtown with buildings that obscure the open feeling? Where is the other plan depicting small shops? I will never go to "downtown" where people live and park. Crimes just waiting to happen, not mention the feeling of watching/watched from windows. A little more objectivity is needed. And the more "corners" and "nooks" created in a small area, the worse it gets. Modernizing it will only be regretted later. We don't need car horns beeping, trash generated from the living quarters. The area is just too cramped the way it is with the street system, yet the plan proposes more "street" concrete; the only concrete needed are sidewalks in that area. No cars, other than a street entrance/exit for shoppers. The Parking garage should be located behind Publix, as the plan depicts. Shops should reflect a relaxed environment, not a "double-decker" shopping center appearance. We have plenty of shopping centers. I'm not sure why residents want glass and glitter in a green space. More architectural design is needed so it does not appear to be glass towers. Put some real shape into the buildings to carve out a novel way of seeing a "downtown". Maybe visit communities in the USA that have architecture. At least create store fronts that are attractive. Right now, as the plan stands, I won't be going downtown, other than to visit the library and leave.

I support the revitalization of Downtown Alpharetta but do not like what I see in this plan.

I like the design of concept one with some changes. Keep the small amount of surface street parking off of Academy street but remove the surface street parking in the other areas and place the parking garage behind Publix. The other area that were surface parking should then become green/park areas for people.

I am concerned at all of the mixed use buildings. If these all become apartments or condos how will there be close to enough parking for the tenants and visitors?