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Alpharetta officials kickstart safety project on Town Green Fulton County sticks
with existing schools for 2024 projects
By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — At its first meeting of the new fiscal year, the Alpharetta City Council targeted the Town Green for safety improvements as guests flock downtown for entertainment and warm weather festivities. Councilmembers unanimously awarded $206,584 to contractor Tri Scapes July 17 for the construction of three brick walls along the sidewalk of Hwy. 9, or South Main Street, where it runs adjacent to the Town Green. Renovations will also include repairs to the synthetic turf, LED lighting and six trashcans. Hundreds of Alpharetta residents and visitors visit the Town Green weekly for the Alpharetta Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, live music and seasonal street festivals, like the Taste of Alpharetta. As the weather gets warmer, councilmembers have noted increases in the number of guests enjoying the festivities. “I think we all identified this project as a safety issue and a heavy use of the Town Green,” Councilman John Hipes said. “Separating folks on the Town Green and kids from Hwy. 9 means a lot to me, and I know to a lot of other people, to get this project done.” The city opened bidding on the
Davis Drive townhomes receive early approval ► PAGE 4
By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com
CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED
The Alpharetta City Council approved a construction contract July 17 for safety barriers, shown on the left, to run alongside South Main Street, or Hwy. 9, next to the Town Green. City staff estimated the project will be completed by Sept. 29. construction in May. Of the three bids staff received June 29, Tri Scapes, which has been named for other projects at City Center and in MidBroadwell Park, was the lowest. City staff estimates the construction will be completed by Sept. 29 before the Wire and Wood Festival.
NFCC launches drive for school supplies ► PAGE 25
School upgrade The Fulton Science Academy is also set to see four new tennis courts; a concessions stand; an additional driveway and parking; a field house; and a soccer field. The private school,
See PROJECT, Page 26 OPINION
Lessons about fungi within the garden ► PAGE 33
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County Schools will move away from adding new school buildings over the next five years as part of a capital plan aimed at “protecting the investment” in its existing 108 education facilities. In June, the School Board approved a $2.1 billion budget for the 2023-2024 school year, with $612 million targeted for capital projects. Typically, the capital fund goes towards major construction projects — including the cost to build new schools. In the upcoming year, though, Fulton Schools Chief Operations Officer Noel Maloof said the district is headed away from adding schools due to declining enrollment across the county. Instead, the capital plan focuses on renovations, replacements and “behind-thescenes” construction. “Overall, in general the district is shrinking, not at a rapid pace,” Maloof said. “We don’t have the need as we have had the past 20 years to continue building new schools.” Fulton County Schools enrollment is expected to decline over the next 10 years, despite some pockets where Maloof said
See SCHOOLS, Page 28