North Fulton housing summit addresses ‘frozen’ market ► PAGE 3 Fe b r u a r y 2 9 , 2 0 2 4 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 , N o . 9
Mt. Vernon Highway construction projects prepared to crank up
Suited for work, man puts music in hands of kids
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Over the next two years, more than $27 million in construction projects will be underway on Mount Vernon Highway in Sandy Springs. Public Works Director Marty Martin said construction is expected to begin in March on two major projects. The City Council approved a $12.39 million contract with Marietta-based Excellere Feb. 20 for construction of the Mount Vernon Highway multi-use path. The pedestrian project, labeled TS192, extends from Vernon Trace near the Sandy Springs Library to the MARTA station on Abernathy Road. It will provide multi-modal connectivity from City Springs to public transit at Perimeter Center, eventually connecting into PATH 400 and proposed paths on Peachtree Dunwoody. Multi-use paths, 8 to 10 feet wide, will be constructed on the southern side of Mount Vernon Highway, and a 6-foot-wide sidewalk will be installed on the northern side. The project will widen Mount Vernon Highway, containing an eastbound and westbound lane in each direction and a center two-way left-turn lane.
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Matt Houchin is more than just a producer, performer and “T-shirt wearer.” He has also embarked on a year-long campaign to raise $1 million for Free Guitars 4 Kids. Houchin voluntarily signed himself up to wear a Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt every day of 2024, something no one has ever done. With about 30 T-shirts already, he said he will be gathering more throughout the year. Because rock stars are made, not born, the nonprofit Free Guitars 4 Kids strives to put stringed instruments into the hands of children who are unable to afford one. So far, the nonprofit has distributed 1,300 guitars across the United States, Jamaica and Uganda. When Houchin reached out to a friend at the St. Louis-based nonprofit, his idea turned into a reality. “I was moving, and I have a bunch of Hard Rock Cafe T-shirts,” Houchin said. “And, I just thought, what if I wore a
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Matt Houchin, the man behind the “2024 Hard Rock Shirt-a-thon,” stands in front of his Sandy Springs home Feb. 19 on Brandon Mill Road. Hard Rock shirt every day for a year?” The idea stuck in his head, he said. The discontinued model Originally from Bloomington, Minnesota, Houchin said his favorite T-shirt is from the Hard Rock Cafe at the Mall of America, which closed in January 2021.
See HOUCHIN, Page 12
MATT HOUCHIN/PROVIDED
Matt Houchin, wearing his Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt from Key West, Florida, glides on the ice at Skate City Springs Jan. 21.
Other roads affected Additionally, the project adds new turn lanes at Glenridge Drive, Barfield Road, Crestline Parkway, Peachtree Dunwoody Road and Perimeter Center West.
See WORK, Page 10