85 Planning and Designing Better Communities Over the years, Sandy Springs, Georgia, has woven a unique tapestry of stories about itself. The opening of the Interstate 285 expressway in the 1960s connected this rural area into an inner-ring suburb of Atlanta. Attempts by Atlanta leadership to annex the area encountered fierce resistance. Sandy Springs remained an unincorporated area of Fulton County for over 40 years until voters overwhelmingly approved to incorporate the city in 2005. Today, Sandy Springs is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Atlanta metro area. Half the city’s housing stock is apartments, making it an attractive alternative to young people who can’t afford Atlanta’s rising home prices. Only a few cities in the US have more Millennial new residents. The city’s leadership embraces this growth and strives to build the kind of city these newer arrivals desire, ensuring that rapid growth does not jeopardize existing communities. This commitment to balance requires a constant dialog with those who run the city and the residents they serve. A geographic approach, utilizing smart maps generated with GIS technology, is instrumental in helping city planners visualize, communicate, and moderate this discussion. Navigating the Crossroads The Crossroads neighborhood, a vibrant community centered on the intersection of Georgia State Route 9 and I-285, is a compelling case study in the city’s diligent efforts to balance interests of residents and newcomers. This neighborhood is a microcosm of the city’s population and the challenges it faces in managing growth while preserving unique character. The west side of State Route 9 is home to a Hispanic community with deep roots in Sandy Springs. “A big concern is gentrification and the threat of being priced out of existing communities,” said Tyler Lents, a GIS expert who works for the City of Sandy Springs. A New Urban Vision for Atlanta’s Most Popular Suburb
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