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City advances $50 million court, police facilities expansion By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED
Renderings show a $50 million expansion project for the Sandy Springs Police Department’s headquarters building, which the city’s Public Facilities Authority approved at a meeting May 30.
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs Public Facilities Authority has approved final cost estimates and updated plans for a $50.3 million expansion of the city’s police headquarters and Municipal Court complex. Approval for the project, which is expected to break ground in July, came at a special-called meeting held at City Hall May 30. “The City’s top priority is to provide exceptional customer service to all residents and visitors while ensuring the safety of the community,” Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said in an email to Appen Media. “Our new police headquarters and municipal court complex will create a more efficient and seamless experience for all visitors, as well as provide police and court staff with the resources needed to carry out their work.” Updated plans show the project will add more than 20,000 square feet to the existing property at 620 Morgan Falls Road. Officials said the expansion will add new space for the city’s Municipal Courthouse and room for future growth for Public Safety services. Plans also call for the city to construct a new fleet maintenance building off Roswell Road. Sandy Springs Police Chief Ken DeSimone said they hope to build a facility that is more accessible and convenient to residents. “We want it open 24/7 because right now the Police Department technically is only open to the public from 8 in the morning to 5:30 in the afternoon,” DeSimone said. “Without any other way
See EXPANSION, Page 20
Group recruits faith-based leaders into affordable housing discussion By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A North Fulton think tank hopes to bring faith-based workforce housing to Metro Atlanta as congregations nationwide have started building
affordable homes. The North Fulton Improvement Network describes itself as a “think tank” made up of community leaders from local nonprofits, faith groups and government organizations focused on “exploring financial vulnerability in our community.”
North Fulton Improvement Network Chairman Jack Murphy has focused his sights on affordable housing in North Fulton County. The homes are “workforce housing,” dedicated to middle-income workers.
See HOUSING, Page 19
DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA
Local think tank North Fulton Improvement Network hopes local congregations, like Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, can take on the task of building affordable workforce housing.