ALPHARETTA, Ga. — In its years-long campaign to revitalize the North Point corridor, Alpharetta officials reviewed the latest plans March 3 that propose a green, walkable, mixed-use district with connections to the Big Creek Greenway.
Over the past eight months, consultant team Starr Whitehouse worked with city staff and stakeholders in the North Point area to build on the North Point Livable Centers Initiative and North Point Creative Placemaking Plan.
“It incentivizes human-scale development and sets new standards for converting vehicular landscapes to fine-grained urban realms,” according to the framework.
The North Point Development Framework plan encourages private investment and provides a road map for improvements. The City Council approved a $200,000 design contract with Starr Whitehouse last May. The firm maintains an Atlanta office and has worked on local projects including Roswell’s Riverside Park.
Opened in 1993, North Point Mall was once a premier shopping and dining destination but has suffered economic setbacks over the past decade with the openings of mega mixed-use developments like Avalon and Alpharetta City Center.
The North Point Development Framework envisions a district reoriented toward the highly popular Big Creek Greenway, which runs along its southern edge. Proposed trails would connect a series of parks and open spaces, which would break up the area with congregation and recreation sites.
“The result is a network of open spaces accessible within a five-minute walk from any point in the district,” according to the framework.
The plan also imagines parks centered around retention ponds, rain gardens and streams to manage stormwater while providing green spaces for visitors. Plazas, lawns and open areas could host concerts and other events.
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“Calm, neighborhood-oriented streets” would run through the area and feature one lane for vehicle traffic with on-street parking on one side.
Walking would be promoted through tree canopies, pedestrian lighting and sidewalks. Cyclists could travel along shared-use paths.
The plan proposes residential, office and retail spaces. Multi-level blocks would promote mixed-use development with retail on the ground level.
Garages embedded within blocks would provide additional parking.
Proposed residential developments include townhomes and walk-ups.
Alpharetta Community Development Director Kathi Cook said the city could see plans this year for redeveloping North Point Mall.
Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group has submitted a petition to attract an NHL franchise at the mall. New York Life Co., the insurer that owns the property, said it has plans to create a mixed-use project around the team.
“If you have that vision, you're going to get more development interest because developers want to invest in cities that have a plan,” Cook said.