Tuesday, September 9, 2008

North Fulton CID Expects Worker Population to Double Along Georgia 400 Commercial District by 2030

North Fulton Workers Pining for Park Space, Transit


ALPHARETTA, GA– According to statistics from the Atlanta Regional Commission, the number of employees could double in the commercial district along Georgia 400 known as the North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID).

Stretching roughly from Mansell Road north to McGinnis Ferry Road, the North Fulton CID is home to the shops of North Point Mall, the stores and restaurants of Milton, and the office buildings of Windward Parkway. Currently, more than 77,000 people work in the four census tracks that encompass the CID. By 2030, that number could exceed 155,000.

With no quick fix in sight for congested roads or rising gas prices, workers in the District said they wanted to move their homes closer to work, and have more transit options to get to and through the CID. (The 50,500-sf 1000 Windward Parkway office building, top left photo)

“The overarching goal of the North Fulton CID is to improve the quality of life for the residents and business people who live and work within our boundaries every day,” said Ann Hanlon, chief operating officer of the North Fulton CID. “This employee survey was conducted as part of our Blueprint North Fulton master-plan process and the results are providing many solid ideas to help us achieve our mission.”

When asked about the improvements they would most like to see in the North Fulton area, respondents listed the following five as most important, in order of importance:

More walkable areas
More sidewalks/trails
Transit (light rail) and upgraded bus service
More/better parks and open space

Street appearance
(North Point Mall, middle right photo)

Hanlon said the survey results provide direction for the future work of the North Fulton CID. “What we have heard is that people want to be able to walk from one place to another, they want better transit options and they want to know when they’ve “arrived” in North Fulton.”

Judging from the survey results, land-use planning may be the most important aspect of Blueprint North Fulton. The employee survey pointed to specific mixed-use developments
around North Point, Windward and Old Milton. To describe future development, “mixed-use” was preferred for each of these areas by nearly 75 percent of the employees surveyed.

Almost half (49 percent) of all employees surveyed said they would consider moving to the CID on their next move.

“Employees don’t just want to work here, they want to live in the CID,” Hanlon said. “But, the addition of more residents to the area – and double the number of workers by 2030 – means better roads and a more robust mass transit system.”

Specifically, respondents wanted to see large, regional mixed-use centers with retail shopping, office space and multiple housing options blended together to form a truly livable, walkable community.
These mixed-use communities were thought to be most appropriate in three nodes: North Point Mall, Old Milton (bottom right map) near Kimball Bridge, and Windward Parkway near McGinnis Ferry.

CONTACTS:

Lawrence Gellerstedt, Jackson Spalding, Image Creation, Cultivation and Communication
P 404.214.3556, F 404.874.6545
E lgellerstedt@jacksonspalding.com
www.jacksonspalding.com

Media Contact:
Patrick Hill, Jackson Spalding, (404) 724-2506

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