Sandy Springs is most affluent city in Georgia

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Sandy Springs named most most affluent area in Georgia and second most affluent in the South, slightly behind Arlington, Virginia and is also among the top 10 wealthiest areas in the nation.

In its rankings of 420 U.S. communities with populations above 75,000, Portfolio.com said Sandy Springs is the ninth-most affluent area in the United States. The city has a per capita income of $55,752, a median household income of $71,592 and median house value of $486,500. Some 17.6 percent of its households boast annual incomes of $200,000 or more.

Roswell, Georgia, ranked 49th overall and eight in the South with a per capita income of $36,001, median household income of $75,490 and median house value of $322,800.

Atlanta came in 79th in the United States with a per capita income of $35,128, median household income of $48,865 and median house value of $254,600.

Check out these great luxury Sandy Springs neighborhoods.

Sandy Springs Named Tree City USA

The City of Sandy Springs was recognized by the non-profit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the first year Sandy Springs has earned this national designation.

“This is quite an honor,” said Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos. “For many years, the Arbor Day Foundation has inspired people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. To have their recognition at this point in our City’s life means a great deal.”

Sandy Springs has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“We commend Sandy Springs’ elected officials, volunteers and its residents for providing vital care for its urban forest,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”

Neighborhood Association Presidents Meeting

April 13, 2010
5:00 pm	to	8:00 pm

The City of Sandy Springs will be holding an HOA/Neighborhood Association Presidents Meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 5:00-8:00 p.m. The meeting will focus on neighborhood-related issues such as traffic calming, code enforcement, disaster preparedness, neighborhood watch, vacant properties and other interesting topics.

Opportunities to network and build relationships with other neighborhood representatives will also be provided.

The meeting is open to all City of Sandy Springs homeowner association and neighborhood group presidents. If the president is unable to attend, an alternate board member may be registered.

(Light refreshments will be served)

Sandy Springs City Hall, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500.

Pre-registration is required and is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the event is full or until March 24, 2010. To register, please complete the online registration form. For more information, please contact Dan Coffer, Community Services Coordinator.

Roswell Road Bridge Widening Public Meeting

January 26, 2010
5:30 pm	to	7:30 pm

The City of Sandy Springs will hold a public information open house regarding the proposed design of the Roswell Road Bridge over I-285 widening project on Tuesday, January 26, 2010.

The open house will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sandy Springs City Hall Council Chambers, located at 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500, Sandy Springs, GA 30350.

The project will include the construction of additional width on the northbound side of the existing bridge. This will allow for two, 11′ wide, northbound and southbound travel lanes as well as full, 11′ wide, dedicated left turn lanes onto the entrance ramps for I-285. Additional width to the westbound and eastbound on-ramps for I-285 will be constructed to accommodate dual ramp meters and additional storage capacity. Short sections of a concrete raised median are also proposed at both ends of the bridge to improve operational circulation. Construction is anticipated to begin Spring 2010.

Representatives from the City of Sandy Springs and its consultants will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with plans and displays. Members of the public will have an opportunity to attend the open house at their convenience to ask questions and discuss the project with these representatives. There will be no formal presentation.

[where: 30350]

North Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan

January 12, 2010
6:00 pm	to	8:00 pm

Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Sandy Springs, Roswell and Mountain Park will be holding public information meetings as part of the North Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The purpose is to provide the foundation and framework for transportation and policy recommendations across the distinctive and unique cities of North Fulton.

The resulting document, TRIP (Transporation Resources Implementation Program), will guide the accomplishment of this effort. Input of the public will be sought throughout the project schedule.

Sandy Springs transportation needs will be discussed in the context of the North Fulton County Region.

• Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010

• Time: 6-8:00 P.M

• Location: Sandy Springs City Hall, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500, Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Super Speeders are New State Revenue Source

Georgia Super Speeder Law

(Note: For those local Sandy Springs drivers, the picture above is not taken from GA 400, otherwise known as the Georgia Autobahn. These are professional drivers on a closed track and trying to match their speeds on GA 400 or I-285 will now cost you a couple Benjamins.)

The new “Super Speeder” law just took effect on January 1st and it’s about to get really expensive on Georgia roads. The law targets drivers going 75 miles per hour or more on two-lane roads and 85 or more on multi-lane roads like interstates.

That means, going 85 miles per hour or more on most Georgia roads, including interstates, will cost a speeder an additional $200. On two-lane roads, meaning one lane each way, the extra fine kicks in at 75 mph. And that is on  top of whatever ticket the speeder gets for going over the speed limit.

The state will send a letter notifying the speeder of the $200 fine, which must be paid within 90 days of the letter’s date.

Drivers who don’t pay will have their licenses suspended.

State officials pushed for the law to cut down on devastating high-speed crashes, while raising funds for trauma care.

For those that have already been pulled over, apparently the excuse of not knowing about the new law is no excuse at all. Keep an eye on the mailbox for your bill from the state.

Widening Roswell Road Bridge on Sandy Springs Agenda

With the start of 2010 right around the corner, Eva Galambos is working hard to continue her vision for the city of Sandy Springs. Having received 84% of the vote in the November election, it’s pretty clear that the Sandy Springs residents are excited about her leading us into the future.

Her past four years have been spent getting the city of Sandy Springs up and running. During her first stint in office, the city launched a unique outsourcing model for local government that is quickly being adopted by other cities, tripled police protection and started road and sidewalk improvements.

The biggest issues that Mayor Eva Galombos campaigned on was to widen the Roswell Road bridge over I-285 (something that is desperately needed); to cut the surcharge residents and businesses pay for water service; and begin redeveloping downtown. These items now make up the agenda for the city.

The city is in talks with the state about widening the Roswell Road bridge. Galambos wants the state to pay for it, too.

And Sandy Springs is in the early stages of a lawsuit with Atlanta, in a bid to cut the 21 percent water surcharge that officials estimate costs users $6 million to $7 million a year.

As for revitalizing the downtown area north of the Perimeter, Galambos wants to get property owners in the area on board before any plans, and payment ideas, are hatched.

The revitalization effort alone could take all four years of this term, which officially begins January 1st.

Sandy Springs Holiday Toy Drive

Sandy Springs’ four fire stations and police department headquarters are taking unwrapped toys for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite (CHOA) and the North Perimeter Optimists Club this holiday season. Donations may be made until December 21st at the following locations:

Sandy Springs Fire Station #1, 1425 Spalding Drive

Sandy Springs Fire Station #2, 139 Johnson Ferry Road

Sandy Springs Fire Station #3, 6025 Heards Road

Sandy Springs Fire Station #4, 4697 Wieuca Road

Sandy Springs Police Department Headquarters (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), 5995 Barfield Road.

CHOA serves patients from infants through 21 years of age. The toys will be delivered by our fire and police personnel to patients who are in Children’s Hospital of Atlanta during the holidays.

Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful to Host Free Tours

November 15, 2009
11:00 am	to	3:00 pm

As part of America Recycles Day, Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful will host tours of the recycling center on Sunday, November 15, 2009. See behind the scenes at the recycling center, learn what happens after items leave the facility and learn about buying products made with recycled materials.

Videos, tours, information and refreshments at 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. The Recycling Center is located at 470 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs, Ga 30350.

 For more information, contact Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful at 770-551-7766.

About America Recycles Day:

America Recycles Day, held every year on November 15th, is a national campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of recycling and buying products made with recycled materials. Originally a program of the National Recycling Coalition, it is currently under the auspices of Keep America Beautiful.

In recognition of America Recycles Day, Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful, a division of Keep North Fulton Beautiful, conducts recycling center tours and public education on this day.

Sidewalk Program Update

River Valley Road Sidewalks Construction
Construction is underway on sidewalks on both sides of River Valley Road from Riverside Drive to Amberidge Trail. This project, originally developed by Sandy Springs Revitalization, Incorporated, involves construction of new curb and sidewalks as well as associated driveway tie-ins and utility relocations. Repaving is scheduled upon project completion. An overall construction period of six months is planned. To date, new retaining walls, curbing, sidewalks and driveway tie-ins have been installed from Riverside Drive to Colewood Way.

Lake Forest Elementary School Sidewalk Design
A consultant is designing a sidewalk on Lake Forrest Drive from the I-285 underpass to Hammond Drive to provide improved pedestrian access within the neighborhood. The project includes improvements to the intersection of Lake Forrest Drive and Hammond Drive. Requests for variances to support proposed construction are currently under review.

Ridgeview Middle School Sidewalk Design
A design is underway to develop a complete sidewalk system along Peachtree-Dunwoody Road in the vicinity of Ridgeview Middle School. Surveying began along the portion of Peachtree-Dunwoody Road from the Glenridge Connector to Trimble Walk Lane to include indentifying specimen trees near the proposed route. An online public survey was conducted in December and a preliminary study plan was shown during the January 12, 2009 City Open House. A presentation of preliminary concept plans is being planned.

Riverwood High School
Construction is complete on this project to install sidewalk on one side of Powers Ferry Road from Dupree Drive to Heards Drive. Pedestrian crossings and ramps were also constructed at Heards Ferry Road and Heards Drive.

Woodland Charter Elementary School
Sidewalks have been installed on one side of Spalding Drive from the school to Georgia 400.

Spalding Charter Elementary School
Design will soon begin on this project to construct sidewalks on Brandon Mill and Riverside near the school.

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