Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current, March 02, 2020, Image 1

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Sandy Springs reporter., March 02, 2020, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextSS reporternewspapers.net MARCH 2020 • VOL. 14 — NO. 3 A Section Two ►A piano man in a department store P25 ►Donna Lefont helps keep film history alive P25 ►STAR students and teachers P33 COMMENTARY Local leaders react to Q& GDOT’s toll lanes plan pio AROUND TOWN The pirates who bring Mardi Gras to Buckhead m CENSUS It’s time again to get counted P20 -^United States* Census 2020 Reporter Extra Check out our podcasts at ReporterNewspapers.net Springs Reporter is mail delivered to homes on selected carrier routes in ZIPs 3032 7,30328, 30342 and 30350 For information: delivery@reporternewspapers.net St# liuxied VO ‘eojuoiAi aivd e6eisod sn SSMH03 aislysyd H3l/\IOlSn0 IVISOd Hammond Drive widening could bring roundabouts, green space, demolitions SPECIAL A rendering of a roundabout proposed for Hilderbrand Drive as part of the design concepts for the Hammond Drive widening project that were presented at a Feb. 26 meeting. BY HANNAH GRECO hannah@reportemewspapers.net The city has revealed design concepts for a long-anticipated Hammond Drive widen ing project that include expanding the two- lane road to four lanes with a grassy medi an; adding two large roundabouts at major intersections; and putting a pedestrian walk way underneath the road. The design could affect 80 properties with either displacement or right of way takings, according to city of ficials. The concepts were presented at a Feb. 26 meeting at City Hall, where a 15-minute pre sentation was given by Allen Johnson, man ager of the city projects funded by a transpor tation special local option sales tax, followed by an open house where residents could look at renderings. The conceptual design like ly will come to the City Council in a non voting work session in April, according to city spokesperson Sharon Kraun. There, the council advise planners on whether to go for ward with the conceptual design and what still needs to be looked at. A public comment See HAMMOND on page 2 Residents may fight loss of homes for 1-285 toll lanes BY HANNAH GRECO hannah@reporternewspapers.net After learning that the Georgia Depart ment of Transportation’s 1-285 top end project might take down their homes, res idents of new townhomes have sent a let ter in opposition and are considering legal action against the department to fight to keep their property. In Sandy Springs, properties facing sig nificant displacement include a house at 374 Mount Vernon Highway; two town- homes off Lake Forrest Drive at 1-285; and two buildings in the Sierra Place apart ments on Northwood Drive, according to maps revealed by GDOT in January. Rebecca Trumbo and Kalen Wheeler, two townhome owners targeted for dis placement at the Parc at Chastain on Tay lor Way, learned of the plan from the Re porter and said they were not contacted by GDOT. “These are new-construction town- homes. I just closed in April. A lot of us did,” Trumbo said. “So we haven’t even lived here a year.” “Well, I hope they are offering me a lot See RESIDENTS on page 22 Tu TURN YOUR GOLD March... INTO GREEN (SEE PAGE 8)