In the heart of Sandy Springs, a dedicated group of individuals works tirelessly to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of our community. The Sandy Springs Conservancy (SSC), led by Chairman Jack Misiura, is committed to connecting residents with nature and each other while conserving natural resources and enhancing the beauty of our environment. Their efforts have brought to life some of the city’s most cherished spaces, including Morgan Falls Overlook Park, Abernathy Greenway Parks, Lost Corner Nature Preserve, and City Green, and they have ambitious plans for the future.
One of SSC’s most ambitious efforts is the Springway, a 31.4-mile trail system designed to connect parks and green spaces throughout Sandy Springs. SSC partnered with the City of Sandy Springs, the Path Foundation, and Kaizen Collaborative to create the trail plan. Phase 1 is currently under construction. This initial phase makes a big splash featuring a trail that loops through Morgan Falls Overlook Park and Orkin Lake to Roswell Road, with a scenic boardwalk over the lake as a highlight. Expected to be completed by the end of 2024, this phase marks the beginning of a transformative journey for the city’s outdoor spaces.
Micro Project Program
SSC offers grants of up to $5,000 for volunteer groups to create and implement projects enhancing parks, trails, and green spaces in Sandy Springs. When asked about one of his favorite projects, Misiura fondly recalls a scout group’s creation of a fruit tree orchard at Lost Corner Nature Preserve. Other completed projects include installing natural wood benches along the Overlook Trail at Morgan Falls Park, adding new steps and making trail improvements on the lake trail at Morgan Falls Park, and planting native azaleas at Lost Corner Preserve. Projects, chosen based on their potential community impact, must be completed within a year. To apply or get more information, click here.
Trail Blazers Walks
Every second Saturday morning of the month, SSC sponsors the popular Trail Blazers Walks, guided tours through Sandy Springs’ parks, trails, and green spaces. Led by experts in local flora, fauna, and history, these walks offer a fantastic opportunity to connect with community members and explore the area’s natural beauty.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
SSC provides numerous volunteer opportunities for individuals. Outdoor enthusiasts can help at SSC booths during farmers markets or festivals, assist with Trail Blazers Walks, or participate in park cleanups and maintenance. Those preferring indoor activities can help out at the annual invitation-only Thought Leaders Dinner, the major fundraising event for the SSC. Volunteers are welcome to join various committees within the organization to assist with Fundraising, Communications, or Opportunities and Projects. The SSC always encourages suggestions from the public for improving Sandy Springs’ parks and green spaces!
Future Projects
While the Springway trail system is a monumental undertaking, SSC continues to identify and assist with the planning of new greenspace projects. One exciting upcoming project is Old Riverside Park. Currently undeveloped, this riverfront land will soon feature woodland trails, a riverside pavilion, a nature-themed playground,and a pollinator garden. The city is set to begin construction of the new park within the next 12 months.
The citizens and visitors to Sandy Springs owe an abundance of gratitude to those in the SSC who have worked so hard to provide for the amazing amenities and enhancements to our city’s natural resources. There is no doubt that through their work, tremendous value has been added to our community. For more information about SSC’s projects, calendar of events, volunteer opportunities, or to make suggestions, visit their website at www.SandySpringsConservancy.org.
2023 saw the most dramatic decrease in home sales Sandy Springs has seen in recent history. While this trend has continued into 2024, with the second quarter showing further declines in the number of units sold, there is a silver lining.
Sales of single-family homes have dropped by 17%, while condos and townhomes have experienced a 7.7% year-over-year decrease. The good news is that this decline has led to an increase in much-needed inventory, a welcome change after several years of scarcity.
While the increase in inventory is a positive development for buyers, the continued high demand for homes in Sandy Springs has resulted in stable prices for sellers. Q2 saw slight increases in pricing year over year for both single family housing as well as condos and townhomes at 6.5% and 5.6% respectively.
With a balanced mix of increased inventory and stable prices, Sandy Springs continues to be a thriving community for both new buyers and long-term residents. The evolving market conditions highlight the resilience and appeal of this vibrant city’s real estate market.
|
Year |
|
April – June 2023 |
April – June 2024 |
Difference YOY |
|
Single-Family Homes
|
Total Sold |
196 |
162 |
17.3% Decrease |
|
Average Sales Price |
$1,234,702 |
$1,314,861 |
6.5% Increase |
|
|
Condos/Townhomes
|
Total Sold |
182 |
168 |
7.7% Decrease |
|
Average Sales Price |
$362,249 |
$382,484 |
5.6% Increase |
Sandy Springs residents are lucky to have one of the most extensive and healthiest industries in all of Georgia: the healthcare industry. In addition to housing three major, highly rated hospitals, Sandy Springs is home to numerous medical laboratories and doctors’ offices that employ thousands of people.
According to Ashley-Grace Jaberi of Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, the best estimate for the number of healthcare industry workers in Sandy Springs, provided by BusinessWise, is approximately 12,400.
The enormous hospital complex concentrated around Johnson Ferry Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Road did not go unnoticed by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). The MARTA Medical Center Station, which cost $22.9 million, opened on June 8, 1996. According to a MARTA spokeswoman, the station “was built to provide convenient transit access and connectivity to the many medical facilities and job centers in the area such as Northside Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Children’s Healthcare Scottish Rite Hospital.”
She added, “The closest rail stations are Dunwoody Station to the North and Buckhead Station to the South.”
According to the Fulton County Board of Health, there are 22 community health and hospital systems in the greater Atlanta metro area, including the cities of Atlanta, Alpharetta, Marietta and Sandy Springs. Notably, 40 percent of the hospital beds available in the Atlanta metropolitan area are located in Sandy Springs, thanks to its three major, top-ranked hospitals.
Founded in 1880, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital is Atlanta’s first faith-based and its longest-serving hospital. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy. St. Joe’s, as Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital is often called, is a 410-bed adult acute-care facility recognized as one of the top specialty-referral hospitals in the Southeast. It employs over 2,100 staff members and nearly 1,100 physicians.
The hospital trains physicians from around the world in robotic cardiothoracic surgery and is the only American Heart Association Mitral Valve Reference Center in Georgia. It is known for its expert physicians and specialty services including oncology, heart and vascular, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and neurology.
The U.S. News and World Report ranked Emory Saint Joseph’s as the number two hospital in Georgia and metro Atlanta for the eighth consecutive year. It is also the first community hospital and one of only two hospitals in the world to achieve its seventh consecutive Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program, for excellence in nursing. The ANCC also awarded the hospital Magnet with Distinction, a new distinction recognizing the highest performing organizations, making Emory Saint Joseph’s the first hospital in the world to receive this honor.
Northside Hospital Atlanta (although located in Sandy Springs) is the largest hospital in Georgia by number of beds. It has a net patient revenue of nearly $2.8 billion, making it one of the top 50 hospitals in the country. It has 13,000 employees and 2,400 physicians, including its adjacent medical office buildings. System-wide, it has more than 30,000 employees and 3,800 physicians.
Fondly and jokingly referred to as the “baby factory” due to its extensive maternity practice, Northside Hospital is renowned for much more than just its maternity services.
The Northside Hospital Cancer Institute (NHCI) is one of the top two community cancer programs in the United States. It is the largest and most comprehensive cancer hospital network in the state of Georgia, and its cancer research program is one of the largest community-based oncology/hematology programs in the country.
Northside Hospital’s Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program delivers among the best survival rates in the U.S. for bone marrow transplants. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind in the Southeast.
The Northside Hospital Stroke Center has been designated an Advanced Primary Stroke Care Center of Excellence by The Joint Commission. Moreover, the Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute is Georgia’s leader in joint replacement surgery and the industry leader in innovative rapid recovery protocols. According to Northside’s website, the hospital features the only dedicated surgery center in the nation specifically designed for outpatient joint replacement surgery.
Not willing to settle on its previous accolades, Northside Hospital recently launched a major marketing campaign to present its mission and share its stories across the Atlanta region. According to the hospital, two years of the pandemic have necessitated a different tone, one that reflects how people are feeling and coping. Entitled “Look To Northside,” the campaign anchors a media and storytelling program that is progressive, forward-focused and community-oriented.
Not to be outdone by the area hospitals dedicated to adults, Children’s Healthcare has also been expanding to serve the Sandy Springs area since it moved to its location in July 1976. It is now a nationally ranked, freestanding 319-bed pediatric acute care hospital affiliated with the Emory University School of Medicine and the Morehouse School of Medicine, as a member of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s) system. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens and young adults aged zero to 21.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is nationally ranked in 10 pediatric specialties. It operates as both a children’s general medical and surgical facility and serves as a teaching hospital.
The hospital features a state verified level II pediatric trauma center, one of only two in Georgia. Its regional pediatric intensive-care unit and neonatal intensive care units serve the region. It is also known for providing neurosciences, orthopedics, and inpatient rehabilitation.
Sandy Springs residents driving in the area may have noticed that Children’s Healthcare also has a rooftop helipad dedicated to critical pediatric transport.
Nationwide, overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. Each year, approximately 1.8 million job openings are projected on average across these occupations, driven by employment growth and the need to replace workers who depart from these fields.
That projection paints a rosy picture for the healthcare industry in Sandy Springs, served by its own Marta Station and located around the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Road.
In its 10th year, Orbit Arts Academy is one of several live performance theater troupes in Sandy Springs that is not only providing residents and visitors with exciting entertainment, it is also training new generations of thespians, musicians and dancers.
“We started with a handful of kids and now we’re teaching over 400,” said Shane Simmons, musical director and accompanist who has been with Orbit for nine years. “We cater to young people ages six through 20,” split between several “companies” and classes based on the children’s ages.
“This is for people who want to take part in all aspects of performing arts,” he said. That includes theater arts education, and training in film and television, tap and ballet, voice, and piano.”
In the fall, the children work on their skills, and in the spring, each company performs a musical. In the summer, there are more shows and camps “for kids who love to work.”
On Feb. 10, the non-profit Academy just held its Orbit Theatrical Gala, complete with a theatrical production and silent auction to raise funds for operational expenses, production expenses, outreach and scholarships.
Another non-profit theater company and arts academy in Sandy Springs is Act3 Productions, a 76-seat theater located at 6285 Roswell Road. The organization offers a variety of musicals, dramas, improvisations and original productions performed by professional and amateur actors of all ages. Its goal is to expose young people to drama, dance, music, visual arts, technical production both onstage and behind the scenes.
A semi-professional theater company, Act3’s mission “prides itself in offering local artists a professional-level experience through compensation for their work and opportunities to interact with industry professionals,” according to its website. Another goal is to “build a sustainable and vibrant cultural presence and continue to contribute to making Sandy Springs a vital destination for the arts.”
Although its first performance was in January 2010, because of the Covid pandemic, Act3 considers itself to be in its 10 season.
In February, it is offering “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” and in March, “Lend Me a Tenor.” More importantly, in the next 30 days, it will be announcing its lineup for the next season, according to Mary Sorrel, executive director.
According to Act3’s website, patrons can now bring their own wine bottles to their shows. “We’ll have cups for purchase at concessions,” it says, as well as “a cooler for white wines and corkscrews.” Sorrel said it’s the only theater in Sandy Springs that offers this option.
The City Springs Theatre Company, formed in 2017 by Sandy Springs residents, performs musical theater productions and offers arts education programs in affiliation with the City of Sandy Springs in the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.
In 2018, City Springs Theatre Company launched a conservatory program dedicated to training the next generation of performers and technicians in musical theatre. The conservatory offers private lessons, a pre-professional company, summer musicals for high school and middle school students, and it participates in the Junior Theater Festival. The pre-professional company trains students ages 12 to 18 who are interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts.
In its short history, the City Springs Theatre Company has served more than 174,000 patrons and 135,000 students through main stage musicals and educational programs.
And that number is certain to grow. In March, the organization will stage Walt Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast” in Byers Theatre. In May, it will present “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” and in from July 12 to Aug. 18, it will showcase “Jersey Boys”.
Some people complain about traffic congestion. Others do something about it. The City of Sandy Springs appears to be in the latter category.
A year short of celebrating its 20th anniversary, Sandy Springs can brag that its population has grown to 108,601, making it the state’s sixth largest city, and the second largest city in the metropolitan area. According to a U-Haul International study released a year ago, Sandy Springs is the No. 25 growth city in the country. Between 2000 and 2022, the population jumped by more than 20,000.
That has meant new houses, new condos, new apartment complexes, and more retail options to serve the growing community. And yes, it meant more cars.
There are more than 315 miles of roadways in the Sandy Springs local street network. Some of have become congested over the years.
But the city is in the midst of widening roads, and planning for the future. Since the beginning of this decade, Sandy Springs has been encouraging the public to participate in open house meetings to discuss and learn about proposed improvements to ease traffic congestion in the city.
As far back as 2009, the city started concentrating on several notable traffic problem areas.
Four years ago, it was focused on Hammond Drive from Roswell Road to Glenridge Drive. The city noted that this portion of Hammond Drive lacked sidewalks and marked crosswalks, as well as insufficiently providing for MARTA — all of which led to an increase in neighborhood cut-through traffic, negatively impacting adjacent roadways.
According to the city, based on traffic data collected in 2019, Hammond Drive between Roswell Road and Glenridge Drive carried approximately 17,500 vehicles a day, a higher volume of traffic than the capacity of the two-lane roadway.
To further exacerbate the traffic problem, the city understood that the area of Hammond Drive between Boylston Drive and Glenridge Drive is the narrowest section of Hammond.
In 2022, the city approved continuation of preliminary work on Hammond Drive between Boylston Road and Glenridge Road, to the tune of nearly $3 million.
Then earlier this year the city council agreed to request $2 million from the State Road and Tollway Authority to complete financing of the Boylston/Hammond intersection. The funding would be in the form of a $1.1 million low-interest loan and a $900,000 grant. According to the city council, to be eligible for this funding, projects must enhance movement as well as drive economic development.
The city already has $3.5 million from its capital improvement funds, but the project is expected to cost $5.5 million, to cover the installation of sidewalks and paths and the readjustment of the intersection. The city expects construction to start this summer.
Public Works Director Marty Martin said, “The project will continue to spur economic development by creating a safer transportation environment.” The project includes the widening of Hammond Drive to four lanes. He added that the proposed sidewalk and pathways would contribute to the city’s goal to make the city better for pedestrians as well as bike riders.
Martin said that the city will know whether it will obtain the requested funds by early this summer.
Then, last August, Sandy Springs residents were apprised of the city’s Powers Ferry Transportation Study whose purpose is to improve pedestrian, bicycle, transit and vehicular travel in an area that “straddles I-285 at Northside Drive and serves as the western gateway” to the city, a report stated. “The area is home to a regional employment center and residential neighborhoods, is served by small scale retail, and provides access to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.”
According to the report, the study will develop an implementation plan “to move projects and strategies forward. It will further evaluate these improvements and determine the feasibility and costs association with implementation.”
The nine-month study that launched in May last year is supposed to be completed this spring. Throughout the study process, residents have been encouraged to share ideas and provide feedback on the proposed transportation improvements in the area. An open house for the public is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Residents and business owners may come to complain, but the city plans to take those complaints into account as it moves the city forward, both literally and figuratively.
As the second annual Dine Like a Local program opened in Sandy Springs on Jan. 2, already the foodie affair appeared to be pulling in more people than last year’s inaugural event. As of Jan. 3, 272 signups were counted, compared to 188 on the same date last year, according to Jennifer Cruce, executive director of Visit Sandy Springs, which sponsors the program. A total of 1,406 signups were made last year. The program runs through March 31.
Several improvements were made for this year’s Dine Like a Local which encourages both Sandy Springs residents, the wider Atlanta community and visitors from out of town to sample the two dozen restaurants that are participating in this year’s passport program.
Cruce said the whole process has been simplified this year. Diners sign up online to receive a free digital Dine Like a Local passport. Then passport holders can visit any of the participating restaurants and check in at each stop for a chance to win a number of prizes throughout the duration of the program, including restaurant gift card giveaways.
Last year the check-in process included a promo code that restaurants had to provide. “This year, people check-in on their phones via GPS. It’s much easier,” said Cruce. “Every two weeks, a $25 gift card to one of the participating restaurants” is given out. Each month, passport holders can win other gifts such as picnic baskets full of branded merchandise.
There are no visas required, nor are the passports actually stamped. When the holders visit a participating restaurant, they must click the check-in button to earn points. According to the instructions, “Your visit to any participating restaurant will only count for points once a month, so make sure to diversify your palate!”
There are three separate giveaways to choose from: bi-weekly, monthly and the one-time grand prize giveaway, which is a Yeti Roadie cooler stuffed with prizes. Passport holders “can buy multiple entries into each giveaway, and the more entries, the better chance to win.”
Three winners will be selected at random every other week to receive the $25 gift card.
As much as Visit Sandy Springs wants to tempt residents to eat out more often, Cruce notes that the organizers are very much focused on the hotels in the area. “You can’t attract people to the area without a good dining scene,” she said. “This introduces people to the restaurants they never tried before.” Her group has distributed postcards with QR codes to hotels to give out to patrons. “It helps our reputation locally and regionally as having a dining scene.”
Also, when dining patrons post pictures or reviews on social media, it “helps to build excitement about a new place to go,” said Cruce, who has worked at Visit Sandy Springs for nine years. She pointed out that she has seen a lot of changes in Sandy Springs since she started. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
She added, “Sandy Springs has one of the best restaurant scenes in the metro area. We hope residents and visitors will come out to experience all this great food this city has to offer.”
The restaurants that have returned to the program from last year include Banana Leaf Thai + Bar, Big B’s Fish Joint, Breadwinner Café, Chef Rob’s Caribbean Café, Cubanos ATL, Food Terminal, it Giallo Osteria & Bar, Just Love Coffee Café, McDaniel’s QN2, O’Reilly’s Public House, Sunnyside Pizzeria, The General Muir, The Select, Tre Vele and Under the Cork Tree.
New this year are Baraonda, Cupanion’s, Fuego Mundo, Mutation Brewing Co, Okiboru, Ray’s on the River, SabaRaba’s, Strive Foods, Zafron and Zambawango.
The Dine Like a Local campaign is presented in partnership with the Economic Development Department of the City of Sandy Springs. For more information, visit https://www.visitsandysprings.org/dine-like-a-local/
Cutlines:
Food photos from General Muir, Norifish, The General Muir and The Select
The City of Sandy Springs has done a great job of utilizing the City Green outside of Sandy Springs city hall and the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. In warmer months, the City Green and surrounding pedestrian areas are filled with concert-goers, festivals, and families enjoying the open greenspace.
This year the city has come up with a great way for Sandy Springs families and visitors to enjoy the City Green when the weather gets cooler. Skate City is a 5,000 square feet ice skating rink that has been constructed in front of the outdoor stage on the City Green.
The new Skate City rink will be open from November 24 through January 21, 2024. In addition to the rink, the Skate City complex includes a skate rental building, a concession stand, and an outdoor biergarten. Th concession stand will offer snacks, candy, pretzels, and hot dogs, plus hot chocolate, coffee, and an assortment of adult beverages.
The rink is open until 10 pm, and operating hours will be expanded when the kids are out of school for winter break between December 18 and January 2, 2024. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets online, which include a specific admission time. Capacity is limited, and online reservations will be prioritized.
Admission is $15 for adults and $13 for children 2-10 years old. The price is for one hour of skating and includes skate rental. Group rates are also available.
Visit https://citysprings.com/skate to find out more and purchase your tickets.
Sandy Springs has been chosen for a new and innovative business concept that blends health with shared workspace. Called Wello Works, its creators coined the phrase “where wellness meets coworking.” This U.S. prototype will open in Fountain Oaks Shopping Center on Roswell Road in February.
The man behind the business model is Australian native Tony de Leede, who is no stranger to Sandy Springs. He first moved to Sandy Springs in 1981 and opened his first Australian Body Works fitness center in the Chastain area, although its headquarters was in Sandy Springs. “So, this is a bit of a homecoming for me,” he said. He recalled that he came to Atlanta to work for a friend on what he thought would be a temporary basis. “I came for two weeks and stayed 20 years,” he laughed.
In June 2000, his 22-club chain with the kangaroo logo was acquired by L.A. Fitness Sports Clubs. But the serial entrepreneur kept creating new business ventures, even after he returned to Australia. In fact, that country’s culture is even responsible for the new venture’s name. In the country Down Under, to take a smoking break is to take a “smoko.” Hence, to take a wellness break is to take a “wello.”
According to de Leede, only 20 percent of the population is really dedicated to exercising. The other 80 percent hesitate to go to fitness centers because they are afraid, intimidated or just uncomfortable that the instructor or other participants will look at them.
The idea behind Wello Works is that healthy movement can be had in small bites, of maybe 10, 20 or 30 minutes. “That’s better than nothing. I say between one hour and 10 minutes is good. My goal is to try to cater to that 80 percent.”
Not far from the new Wello Works are four fitness facilities, including one focused on boxing. In the same shopping center is a bridge club that caters to those in their 60s or 70s. “That socialization makes their day,” he said. According to de Leede, loneliness is a major killer, with suicide high in the 70-age group. “Their partners have died, and digital devices have driven us to loneliness.”
What he, along with his Atlanta-based daughter Nicole de Leede Harmon, are offering to the Sandy Springs community “is critical to people’s ongoing life.”
According to de Leede, there are five pillars of wellness: what you eat, how you move, getting sleep, socialization and head space or mental wellbeing.
There are two major aspects of Wello Works: wellness and coworking. For the latter, customers will have a choice of permanent desks with locking offices, or more communal spaces where people can bring in their computers to work. Boardrooms and “quiet areas” will also be available. Free coffee and mineral water will be available to both, as well as access to a variety of wellness options.
These include an extensive array of meditation pods, hydromassage, wellness pods, hot and cold therapy, infrared saunas and LED light therapy. The amenities are designed to help people feel good while they are working and growing their businesses.
Two-thirds of the 10,300-square-foot property upstairs on the south side of Fountain Oaks is planned for workspace.
De Leede said that his daughter, who will primarily be running the business, has a marketing background. And “she’s a bit too much like me,” so they often have “robust conversations about the business.”
Their biggest challenge is to “explain what we are and what we do.” To surmount that obstacle, the father-daughter team plan to use the “try before you buy or test drive” marketing tools. Pricing for customers will have a large range, although a “founder’s price” will start at $19 per week.
To reach the target audience, Harmon plans to use visual marketing with videos, as well as YouTube and Google advertising. She intends to “tease the market” in the next few weeks with the help of partnering influencers.
Looking longer term, de Leede believes the model center can be duplicated elsewhere. “It’s a scalable model for suburbs around the world.”
Certainly, the concept of workspace has changed over the last few years, partly as a result of the Covid pandemic, which forced many people to work from home, but also limited their need for socialization. De Leede predicted that restaurants where people have brought their computers to work, but oftentimes purchased little food or drink, will start limiting how long people can occupy those tables.
“The world is changing rapidly,” he said. And he anticipates that Wello Works will fit the needs of that new world.
Sandy Springs saw a rise in home sale prices during the 3rd quarter of 2023. As mortgage rates continue their rapid ascent, we are seeing substantial reductions in inventory year-over-year. While there are many who are reluctant to give up their +/- 3% mortgage rates, Sandy Springs home values are holding remarkably strong due to our gorgeous neighborhoods with oversized lots, fine restaurants, retail, and entertainment, all within its close-in location along Atlanta’s perimeter.
| Year | July – Sept 2022 | July – Sept 2023 | Difference YOY | |
| Single-Family Homes | Total Sold | 172 | 132 | 23.2% Decrease |
| Average Sales Price | $1,075,182 | $1,161,418 | 8% Increase | |
| Condos/Townhomes | Total Sold | 210 | 171 | 18.6% Decrease |
| Average Sales Price | $346,806 | $383,663 | 10.6% Increase |
Buyers who are dependent upon a mortgage are stretching to get the most they can for their dollar, so they are unable to come out of pocket to renovate.
One sold listing in Princeton Square is a great example of this… The kitchen and master bath had been renovated about 15 years ago. The entire interior sheetrock, kitchen cabinets, and primary bath vanity were painted a beautiful Benjaman Moore white. Old brown carpeting was replaced with fresh light carpet, all windows cleaned until sparkling, and the entire main level and primary bedroom were staged with fresh, current, neutral interiors. The exterior was pressure washed, and shutters and fresh paint were added. We received 6 offers and sold the house over asking price. The sellers spent $25,000 to gain an additional $100,000 over what the house would have fetched in its pre-listing condition. The buyers were willing to overlook features such as a drive-under garage, unfinished basement, and sloped, wooded backyard just to be able to have the interior and exterior refreshed, charming, and move-in ready!
Another buyer’s experience was an exercise in patience, as she searched for over a year to find her perfect dream home within limited inventory. It needed nothing except her interiors at move in, which is why this Sandy Springs townhome won her over.
Yet another Hirsh RE listing boasted a gorgeous lot with a totally unique home. It sold inside the perimeter in Sandy Springs for $1,335,000.
Of course, Hirsh RE also sold the most expensive home in Sandy Springs to date this year! The Loudermilk estate, which is 15,000 square feet and sits on 14+ acres, sold for close to $9,000,000.
What do all of these sales have in common? Each property was either move-in ready with no work required or had a unique feature which could not be shopped. The request we repeatedly have this year from our buyers is to find them a home that does not require any updates. Our best advice to sellers in this market is to retouch and freshen all blemishes before listing. Do not overlook the details! Have every window professionally cleaned, clean everything else until it’s gleaming, and have the home professionally staged. If you need to, consider taking out a home equity loan to do the minimum work required to make your home move-in-ready, and you will certainly get a premium price in today’s market.
It’s true. It’s somewhat sad to see the hulking remains of old, reliable, favorite restaurants dotted around Sandy Springs over the past year, but a closer look reveals a more pleasing plethora of new restaurants that have opened in the city in the last few years.
Despite the lingering effects of the pandemic, which admittedly cast a shadow on the restaurant industry nationwide, Sandy Springs restaurateurs and industry executives are wholeheartedly optimistic about their eateries. And Sandy Springs reflects the overall picture for restaurants in the State of Georgia.
Karen Bremer, CEO and president of the Georgia Restaurant Association, said the state actually has more restaurants now than before the pandemic hit Georgia in early 2020. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, she said, there were approximately 19,000 restaurants in Georgia in 2020, while now there are more than 21,000 restaurants in the state. That’s despite more than 4,000 restaurants that closed in the state in 2020. Of the 21,000, “two-thirds are in the Atlanta/Sandy Springs area,” she said, adding the notable tidbit that some counties in the state don’t have any restaurants.
[The Georgia Restaurant Association includes Sandy Springs with Atlanta in its statistics.]
Bremer said that some of the restaurants that closed during the pandemic, since reopened with a new concept.
The Economic Development Department of Sandy Springs – the state’s 7th largest city – reports that 59 new restaurants or food establishments have opened since 2020. Of these, 30 are full service, 24 are limited service, three are snack bars, one is a retail bakery, and one is a brewery.
Restaurateurs are “fairly optimistic,” said Bremer, despite continuing concerns about labor availability and costs. In the past two years, labor expenses, which include workers’ compensation insurance and payroll taxes as well as salaries, have jumped 21 percent, she said. Food prices have risen 18 percent, as of the end of 2022.
“The average restaurant makes five percent profit,” she added. So, a restaurant that made $45,000 before the pandemic, would be losing $120,000 if it kept its prices the same.
A former restaurant owner and operator, Bremer said more people are dining out nowadays, but they are “value engineering”. Restaurants “need customer loyalty programs to reward existing customers” which are much more cost-effective than seeking new customers.
Forget old-time advertising in newspapers or coupon-dropping in mailboxes. “People are doing their marketing on social media. The largest percentage of the population is young and they don’t read newspapers,” Bremer said.
Earlier this year, Visit Sandy Springs – a destination marketing organization – held its Dine Like a Local digital dining passport and campaign with 21 participating restaurants. According to Jennifer Cruce, CEO of Visit Sandy Springs, the campaign, held in partnership with the city’s economic development department, was considered a success. The organization had 1,163 sign-ups and 550 check-ins.
The website analytics indicated that the Dine Like a Local landing page on VisitSandySprings.org out-performed its second closest page by more than 350 percent (14,851 sessions vs. 4,240 sessions). The page also led in goal completions for a single page with 3,900. And the campaign produced 579 E-newsletter opt-ins at sign-up.
Cruce added that “we gave away 18 gift cards purchased from participating restaurants, three Dine Like a Local branded insulated baskets full of picnic gear and treats – one each month – and one gorgeous Yeti cooler to the grand prize sinner.”
The campaign was so successful, “we are partnering to do it again starting Jan. 1, 2024,” Cruce said, referring to the Sandy Springs Economic Development department.
Jeff Trump, who along with partner Mike “Shooter” Horosh have worked together in the restaurant industry for more than 25 years, said he remains very optimistic about the industry. “We have had Brooklyn Café in Sandy Springs for 18 years. Sandy Springs is a vibrant and incredibly supportive community that truly embraces small businesses. We feel fortunate our restaurant is in such a wonderful place with great citizens and community leadership. Our City will only get better.”
Sandy Springs is one of the wealthiest cities in the state, so many of its residents may be surprised to learn that over 50% of students in the community’s public school system are economically disadvantaged. Sandy Springs public schools were thrilled when a nonprofit organization reached out personally to each school to see where their specific needs were. Sandy Springs Education Force provides free supplemental programs within the city’s public school system to support students to excel in high school and to assist and encourage them to move on to higher education or vocations upon graduation. Any child attending Sandy Springs public schools is welcome into SSEF programs.
SSEF began by sponsoring after school programs. These programs run for two hours at the end of every school day. The first hour is focused on academics, and free tutoring and time for homework are provided. The second hour consists of a variety of enrichment opportunities. These programs are open to all students at no cost to the family. SSEF covers the full expense.
Sandy Springs public school administrators and teachers are extremely grateful for the assistance provided by SSEF. The organization helps with everything from providing school supplies, which in many cases would otherwise come from the pocketbooks of the teachers themselves, to donating books, covering SAT/ACT and college application fees for those in need, and helping students decide which path they may wish to take beyond high school, whether that be which colleges to apply to or matching these high schoolers with potential employers and training programs following graduation.
What is the best course of action for a student who plans to enter the workforce upon high school graduation in lieu of continuing their education? How do these students know what training programs are out there and how to connect with employers other than blindly sending out resumes over the internet? One of the more exciting initiatives new to SSEF is the High Demand Career Fair scheduled to take place this November at Riverwood High School for both North Springs and Riverwood students. There will be companies and organizations in attendance offering jobs, apprenticeships, internships, and training programs designed for high school students and graduates! Companies such as UPS and Northside Hospital will participate, and students who attend are all offered help with their resumes which they will provide to the employers.
What can be more important than the futures of our children? If you are looking for a way to give back to our community, SSEF makes it rewarding, easy, and fun! SSEF is happy to train volunteers to help coach students along the pathways to succeed through college. Volunteers are needed to assist students with the college application process as well as to help match soon-to-be graduates with colleges or careers. There are volunteer opportunities for those who would like to be trained to work directly with students, one-on-one, as mentors, coaches, tutors, reading buddies and more. If you prefer to volunteer behind-the-scenes, there are also opportunities to help by collecting books, school supplies, etc. for various literacy programs within SSEF, and still larger roles filling much-needed help with their major fundraising efforts, the Lightning Run and STEAM Showcase.
“Everyone can do ONE thing. And if everyone does just one thing, we can move mountains, we can change the world.”
Irene Schweiger, executive director of Sandy Springs Education Force (SSEF).
In spite of declining home sales in Sandy Springs, prices of single-family homes have continued to rise. However, we are seeing prices flatten during the first half of 2023 for the condo and townhome market in our community.
While the number of single-family homes sold in Sandy Springs the first 6 months of 2023 dropped 27%, prices rose almost 12% from the first half of 2022. Tight inventory is preventing the price decreases we expected to see from the mortgage rate hikes.
The condo and townhome market here, shows a slightly larger drop in number of homes sold at 32%, but an almost flat average sales price at less than 1% increase from the same period last year.
So, what does this mean for sellers? Right now is the perfect time to sell! While homes that are new or renovated are typically the first to sell in this market, some sellers are now able to get away with doing slightly less work in more dated properties as inventory is low and buyers in lower price ranges are more forgiving than in recent history.Scroll down past our market stats for the first half of 2023 to see the Top 10 Sales in Sandy Springs for Q2!
| Year | Jan – June 2022 | Jan – June 2023 | Difference YOY | |
| Single-Family Homes | Total Sold | 397 | 302 | 23.9% Decrease |
| Average Sales Price | $1,126,550 | $1,255,596 | 11.5% Increase | |
| Condos/Townhomes | Total Sold | 474 | 329 | 30.6% Decrease |
| Average Sales Price | $355,373 | $357,774 | 0.68% Increase |
Throughout the City of Sandy Springs there are springs, streams and creeks flowing by, including in residents’ front or backyards. They are tributaries that feed into the Chattahoochee River whose more than 20 miles of shoreline are located in the City of Sandy Springs. These branches of waterways are part of Georgia’s natural water supply.
But that does not mean residents can drink from these natural springs. According to Sara Lips, director of communications and community engagement in the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, “There is no drinking water permit issued using a spring as a source of water in Sandy Springs.”
Lips also noted that her DNR division does not have an inventory of springs in the state. So it’s not clear if anyone has an idea of how many natural springs there are in the city. But as one Sandy Springs resident pointed out, the spring in her yard is not always visible. Only after heavy rains does water trickle out of her spring, which isn’t far from a stream.
While the 38.52 square miles of Sandy Springs might be dotted with these waterways, it is the original underground spring located between what is now Heritage Sandy Springs and Williams Payne Museum, near City Springs Center from which the 18-year-old city derives its name.
Two centuries ago, the natural sparkling sandy spring provided a watering stop for Native Americans, travelers and citizens, as well as a meeting place and campground area. Sandy Springs United Methodist church was built nearby in 1851. According to one history, residents of Dunwoody would travel to the area for a camp meeting every year. The land under the church was owned by W.E. Spruill and included an easement which led to the spring.
According to a sign in what was once the camp area, members of the Mabry family for years were stewards of the site. “Living beside the spring, they added marble and concrete to make the surroundings less muddy and removed the shelter to open the spring to the sky. In 1984, an attempt was made to rezone the property as commercial. Had it been successful, the spring would have been buried in storm sewers and underneath mounds of dirt and concrete.”
Today it is a tranquil area with a bubbling brook bounded by beautiful foliage and flowers, and an integral part of the Heritage Sandy Springs Museum and Park. The four-acre park centered in the heart of Sandy Springs’ downtown area includes a 14,000-square-foot Entertainment Lawn with a permanent stage where summer concerts are held. The nearby structure offers rentals for weddings, parties, company picnics, business meetings and retreats.
For the curious or the thirsty, however, there should probably be signs for the safety of residents who might be enjoying the lush area. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, before water from natural sources can be approved for drinking, a manual filtration process is required because the spring water may have some impurities.
For residents wondering about their backyard streams, county health departments can help test for bacteria or nitrates. Or, water can be tested by a state certified laboratory. [Call Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit www.epa.gov/safewater/labs]
If one insists on drinking their natural spring water, it is advised to boil it first. Boiling is the safest method to kill disease-causing germs, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. And it is recommended that one add a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of boiled water.As summer’s hot, humid weather swamps the area, however, residents wanting to cool off either internally or externally might want to pour a cold glass of water from an indoor faucet or turn on a hose and sprinkler system to run through outdoors.
It may be a telltale sign. If you are seeing bright-colored red, yellow or blue lines – speckled with same-colored flags – lining the boundaries of your yards, it just may mean that one of the companies providing internet and cable TV is about to lay down fiber optics in your neighborhood.
While it’s possible that the lines may suggest a different type of excavation, the presence of various colored lines arranged in a tic-tac-toe pattern throughout an entire residential area typically implies an advancement in next-gen technology.
Fortunately for Sandy Springs’ neighborhoods, much of the basics have already been accomplished. According to Alex Horwitz, vice president of public relations at Comcast NBC Universal, “We’re already in Sandy Springs and have been for quite some time. We cover the vast majority of that city.” However, he added that “we are in the process of simply upgrading our existing network,” which, he explained, is a mix of fiber and coaxial cable.”
In April, Comcast announced that its latest Xfinity 10G Network upgrade is rolling out to homes and businesses across greater Atlanta. “With these improvements, Comcast is deploying new download speeds of up to 2 gigabits-per-second (Gbps), and up to 5x-to-10x faster upload speeds in Atlanta.”
Noting that Sandy Springs is included in this upgrade, the Comcast’s announcement notes that the “region now has the foundational next-generation network in place to begin introducing new symmetrical multi-gigabit Internet options late this year that can be delivered across Comcast’s existing networks with less cost.”
And Comcast is not the only service provider actively adding the fiber optic technology that is used for long-distance and high-performance data networking.
AT&T Fiber is available to thousands of customer locations in parts of Sandy Springs, according to Ann L. Elsas, AT&T’s lead public relations manager for the Southeast. “This is part of more than 1.5 million customer locations in the State of Georgia. Early in 2022, we launched and expanded our multi-gig services to offer up to 5 Gbps symmetrical speeds to consumers and businesses. With multi-gig speeds, we’re able to provide our customers with a first-of-its-kind internet experience.”
How does AT&T determine where it will next lay its newest technology? Elsas said that “we’re constantly evaluating our network and coverage to deliver the best, most reliable network to our customers, no matter where they are. We look at a number of factors when deciding to add fiber to areas, including – but not limited to – topography, distribution of demand and property availability.”
For many residents and business owners in Sandy Springs, understanding the technology behind fiber optics might be too much of a challenge. Simply put, fiber cables are comprised of thin glass or plastic. They use light to transmit data, empowering faster speeds and higher bandwidth than traditional copper cable, which depend on electrical signals. Because they provide faster data transmission, fiber optic connections remain strong even during heavy usage times.
Fiber optic cables are more expensive to produce than copper and installation is more expensive. And, because they are made of glass, they are more fragile.
According to one homeowners’ association president, it is totally worth it for the customers. Fiber optic cables are critical as the use of the internet continues to increase, he said. Both speed and bandwidth are improved significantly. “More and more of our everyday lift depends on high-speed connectivity which will be possible with fiber.” He added that he doesn’t know if having fiber optics in one’s neighborhood would actually increase property values, but it may cause a buyer to choose one subdivision over another.AT&T’s Elsas said that her company is committed to connecting people to what matters most to them by delivering “reliable, high-speed internet across the country.” And, she added, to see if fiber is available in one’s neighborhood, they can go to att.com/notifyme and enter their address.
For a few years, colorful turtles appeared to be the mascot of the City of Sandy Springs. Just as easily, it could have been cranes. Whether they were the blue herons on the Chattahoochee River that are often mistaken for cranes, or the tall, strong, but graceful machinery that dotted the skyline of the city symbolizing more luxury housing under development.
Then it seemed the ubiquitous cranes, with their hoist ropes to lift heavy objects, suddenly disappeared. Hundreds of luxury apartment units were built in Sandy Springs between 2017 and 2020. The most recent of these mid-rise apartment complexes, Adley City Springs at 6075 Roswell Road in 2020, and The Alastair at Aria Village at Abernathy Road and Georgia 400 in 2019 claim enviable occupancy rates. The former has an occupancy rate of 97 percent while The Alastair is at 94 percent.
Developers took notice of the strong occupancy rates, leading to the construction of a new luxury apartment complex, Wayfern Apartments, in north Sandy Springs. The project, formerly North Springs Center, has been under construction since August at the corner of Roswell Road and Dalrymple Road. The approximately nine-acre site had most recently been anchored by a Big Lots, but the shopping area had gone through many retail phases over the last 50 years or so.
Matt Hallman is the vice president of development for Georgia and Tennessee at San Diego-based Fairfield Residential. He said the 286-unit rental complex is planned to include studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as some two-story townhome-style units. The first units will be available in either the first or second quarter of 2024. Rents will range from $1,700 up to approximately $2800, with the townhouse units in the mid to high $3,000s.
The complex will include three-story apartment buildings plus a structured parking deck, Hallman said. Amenities will include a fitness center, clubhouse, office space for lease and a pool. Perhaps unique to the project will be a dog park and dog run.
Wayfern will face stiff competition from existing luxury apartments. The apartments – starting with studios up to two-bedrooms — at Adley City Springs feature nine-foot ceilings with ceiling fans and lights, carpeting, granite countertops in bathrooms, washer/dryers, digital programmable thermostats and home intrusion alarms. The kitchens include stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Rents range from about $2,200 to $2,900.
The Adley City Springs public areas include a two-story fitness center, rooftop salt-water pool, an outdoor kitchen and golf simulator lounge.
Another recent luxury apartment complex, the six-story Alastair, has one-, two- and three-bedroom units renting from about $2,000 to more than $5,000. Many have private balconies or patios. The units include built-in bookshelves, wine racks, quartz or granite countertops and digital thermostats. Again, a salt-water pool with fire pits and lounge spaces, a two-story fitness center, private game room, full catering kitchen, electric car charging stations and on-site concierge are included at The Alastair, which is within walking distance of the Mercedes-Benz U.S. headquarters.
Also built since 2017 is the 550 Northridge Apartments with 220 units on Northridge Parkway, the Arabelle Perimeter at 1110 Hammond Road with 384 units, and Juniper Sandy Springs at 6558 Roswell Road. The latter includes townhomes. Other notable properties include The Collection at 4600 Roswell Road was built in 2015, Bell Glenridge on Glenridge Point Parkway also built in 2015, and 1160 Hammon Road in 2014.
When the City of Sandy Springs adopted its comprehensive development plan in 2017, it was noted that the housing availability at the time consisted of mostly single-family homes and aging rental apartments. The report stated, “Because of the high cost of land in Sandy Springs, the single-family homes are affordable to only the highest-income earners, while the rental stock does not satisfy the preferences of many renters who are willing to pay more for updated finishes, amenities, and better access to MARTA.”
The city realized that “the key to providing more housing at a range of price points will be to adopt policies that allow developers to fill in or redevelop parcels with a greater range of housing products, such as smaller-lot single-family homes and townhomes as well as midrise apartments and condominiums, because if the price of land is spread over more new housing units, developers can offer the housing at lower prices.”
The City also noted that by attracting more professionals and families to the city, demand for high-quality retail and dining will follow. The Roswell Road corridor and Perimeter Center were pointed to as the city’s target for both residential and retail development. Code changes created a new zoning district called North End mixed-use that is just north of Dalrymple Road where Wayfern Apartments is under construction.
All of this means that residents of the northern end of Sandy Springs will most likely become accustomed to the dirt-moving, concrete-lifting cranes once again.
Once again, our own Ben Hirsh sold the most expensive home in Sandy Springs for the 1st quarter of 2023! Before we get to our list of the top 10 sales in Sandy Springs, Q1, we have all the stats for the state of the real estate market year-to-date in our community…
The number of homes sold for both single-family and multi-family units continues the substantial downward trend we saw building in 2022. In terms of sales price, Q1 was a roller coaster, therefore it is nearly impossible to predict how the remainder of 2023 will go in terms of the long seller’s market we have been experiencing. The market saw a slight rise in prices in January, a very sharp increase in February, and then a decrease in average sales price year-over-year in March. The jump in February was largely due to two $8 Million+ sales, a $6 Million sale and a $4 Million sale in the same month.
Here are the number of sales and average close price for single family homes in Sandy Springs 1st quarter 2023 and 2022:
| Month | Total Sales | Average Close Price |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26 | $1,050,981 |
| February | 35 | $1,723,733 |
| March | 48 | $1,040,382 |
| Month | Total Sales | Average Close Price |
|---|---|---|
| January | 52 | $953,008 |
| February | 55 | $1,064,302 |
| March | 66 | $1,197,725 |
No surprise, attached housing thus far in 2023 also showed a dramatic slowdown in the number of units sold year-to-date. However, the average sales price decreased a bit in January, then rose in February and March year over year.
Number of sales and average close price for attached housing 1st quarter 2023 and 2022 in Sandy Springs:
| Month | Total Sales | Average Close Price |
|---|---|---|
| January | 33 | $309,633 |
| February | 51 | $369,509 |
| March | 58 | $374,939 |
| Month | Total Sales | Average Close Price |
|---|---|---|
| January | 69 | $315,544 |
| February | 69 | $292,659 |
| March | 78 | $341,959 |
After years of steady increases in housing prices in Sandy Springs, will the slowdown in the number of sales finally begin to impact rising prices? So far, this does not appear to be the trend. The future remains to be seen, but Sandy Springs continues to be a powerful draw due to great schools, thriving restaurants, retail, entertainment, strong community interaction and so much more!
Children who choose a cause within the community, and then create and execute an event to raise money for that cause… What can be better than that?! Kids Boost is an amazing organization whose mission is “to empower future philanthropists and social entrepreneurs ages 8 to 14”. “So many kids want to give back, but they just don’t always know how”, says Kristen Williams, the founder and executive director of Kids Boost. The organization gives children in the program $100 to help fund their events, and a professional on-staff coach who meets with them weekly to ensure follow through. The coach will ask questions and encourage the participants to come up with personal and meaningful ways to give back philanthropically.
The first 2 questions asked are “What makes your heart happy?” and “What breaks your heart?” The answers to those questions typically determine how the child can best help the situation or circumstance that is most meaningful to that child. While each participant has a professional coach, the events are conceived, managed, and carried out by the children. The kids also get to present the actual “big check” to the recipients! “Throughout the project, the child will become a philanthropist and social entrepreneur, while learning important lessons in money management, civil engagement and communication.” Just, WOW!
The average age of participants is 11 – 12 years old, and the average amount raised by Kids Boost events is $2,200. When children this age are asked what their goal is, they typically answer somewhere between $200 – $500. Just imagine their reactions when they realize they may have exceeded their goals by five to ten times! Parents are strongly encouraged to step back and let their children take the reins, along with their coaches, to manage the projects themselves. The most common feedback received by staff from parents is the confidence boost the children in the program gain. “We get lots of kids who lack confidence or self-esteem, so helping with that is a big bonus!”, says Williams.
Kids Boost had their offices in Sandy Springs until the pandemic. After 2020, they kept working remotely, but many of their participants still live in Sandy Springs and host fundraising events here in our community. A pair of Sandy Springs siblings who are passionate about reading and baking, secured baking supplies from local businesses, baked hundreds of treats, packaged them with their own logo, and sold them to friends and family to raise money to help less fortunate students get books to read through a nonprofit called Purpose Built Schools. They raised over $1,000 which enabled them to help provide a book to every elementary student in a summer learning program. They were onsite to personally help distribute these books to the students as well. Another Sandy Springs youngster who wanted to help children without homes chose to support the Atlanta Children’s Shelter. She organized a yard sale that also featured a bounce house and bake sale. She turned her $100 start-up money into $3,262 and was super proud to present the giant check herself!
Kids Boosters are typically between the ages of 8 -14, but there are plenty of opportunities for people of all ages to be involved. While the children organize and manage the events, adults are needed to donate various items such as venues, supplies, etc. Special talents are needed as well. Adults are paired with their passions, such as art, sports, jewelry-making, cooking, etc. Simply complete the volunteer application and let them know how you would like to be involved!
This is one of the few organizations where recipients of the fundraising events can, and often do, turn around and host an event of their own to pay it forward. The $100 seed money given to every Kid Booster combined with donations that the kids go out and procure themselves allows any child to participate in the program. Kids Boost has created the ability for every child of any background or socio-economic status to become empowered to make a difference in the world.
All of us understand the value of teaching our children “how to fish”. Here is an organization within our community that not only helps us teach our youngsters how to fish, but also teaches them how they can feed those fish to others in need! All of us encounter hardship at some point. There is no question that helping others during their tough times reminds us of the things that we are grateful for in our own lives. Kids Boost helps children fulfill the desire to help others, and hopefully, ignites a passion to continue service throughout their lifetimes.
Donate to a current Kids Boost project
Small Give. Big Impact. – One day smaller projects for kids’ teams, troops, and groupsThe Big Give – One day bigger projects for families and companies
Music venues in Sandy Springs, like in most cities around the country, took a hit during the pandemic, with several small music scenes closing up. But as Covid restrictions recede – especially as the city moves into spring and summer — a variety of bands and locations are screaming out for attention and audiences.
It probably doesn’t hurt that the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs recently hired an interim executive director, as part of its staff rebuilding, who has placed “no restrictions on types of music” he plans to offer.
Michael Pauken said it was the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center that drew him to Atlanta after having served as general manager/executive director of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Ill. for 20 years. When he heard about the opportunity, he thought it would be a good fit for him, having worked for a municipally owned theater like the one here.
The Skokie North Shore Center is a two-theater complex containing a total of 1,185 seats. The Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center also contains two theaters, one the Byers Theatre which seats 1,086 on three levels, as well as the Studio Theatre which has adaptable configurations with up to 400 seats.
In Skokie, Pauken attracted international artists such as Al Jarreau, Art Garfunkel, Graham Nash, Herb Alpert and the Indigo Girls. “We go after whoever is out touring to play in a venue of our size,” Pauken said. “We’re always searching and have dozens of offers in [for] various artists.” His job is made easier by the fact that there are a lot of venues in the Atlanta area that want the same acts.
Although he said he was not ready to announce a fall schedule, he was more than ready to speak about a few upcoming outdoor opportunities for music lovers. A new entertainment program, Sundown Social, will be held most Thursday evenings in the plaza on the City Green, featuring local musicians, food and beverage, starting May 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The popular City Green Live Friday monthly music series returns on April 28 with the alternative rock band, Better Than Ezra. Another popular music tradition for Sunday evenings, Concerts by the Springs on the Entertainment Lawn at Heritage Park returns May 7 with The Geek Squad.
As in previous years, lawn seating is free and reserved table seating is available for purchase for both City Green Live and Concerts by the Springs. City Springs members enjoy pre-show receptions featuring complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a private cash bar.
According to Pauken, Byers Theatre has been underutilized, partly because it opened just months before the pandemic. He wants to diversify the genres to help increase growth, citing jazz, blues, country, rock and pop.
Helping him attract a variety of artists is long-time Sandy Springs resident and musical aficionado, Steve Grossman. Former owner of Steve’s Live Music which opened in Sandy Springs and closed in 2016, Grossman has “reinvented” himself by booking musicians in different venues.
“I have a passion to create a music culture in Sandy Springs and Pauken supports me,” said Grossman. Most recently he brought Michelle Malone to Studio Theatre to an “almost sold out” crowd. “Michelle plays around the world. She’s one of those local but larger than life people.” He noted that more than 200 attended Malone’s concert while Steve’s Live Music could only hold 100.
In the past few years, Grossman has welcomed artists and small audiences to his home for concerts. People can sign up for his mailing list at steve@steveslivemusic.com. In April, he is showcasing Jimmy Robinson who has been recording and touring for more than 40 years, as well as Hannah Thomas, a local favorite songwriter.
Grossman said he brought five shows to Studio Theatre last year and hopes to double that this year. In discussions with Pauken, Grossman has on his wish list a mini jazz series as well as international music. “I’m exceeding their goal for revenue” for the Malone show, he said noting that ticket sales cover costs.
“I personally love what Steve is doing,” said Pauken, bringing in Atlanta area performers. “I’m excited about what other acts Steve can bring in.”But Grossman also would love more music venues in Sandy Springs. “If you want to build the culture, you can’t just open on weekends,” he said. However, with both the indoor and outdoor areas at City Springs, he said, there could be entertainment every day. “This could be the center” of Sandy Springs’ music culture.
Sandy Springs is a vibrant and growing city just north of Atlanta, Georgia. It’s where beautiful residential neighborhoods meet world-class amenities, and all within a short drive from downtown. If you’re looking for high-end shopping, you’re a foodie looking for your next culinary treat, or even an outdoor adventurer looking for a great place to get away in the woods, Sandy Springs has got you covered!
Sandy Springs offers plenty of community activities to go along with its quiet neighborhoods and beautiful homes. The Performing Arts Center and live music on the City Green at City Springs are just the beginning. There is a lot going on for residents and visitors alike.
