Local Volunteers Join Forces to Improve Veterans' Homes On April 30, a team of weekend warriors helped improve the lives of local aging veterans by repairing and sprucing up three veterans homes in North Fulton. The project was led by a team from Leadership North Fulton (LNF), a program of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. The LNF team raised more than $5,500 through sponsorships and enlisted 60 volunteers to complete improvementsincluding yard work, repairs and paintingat the homes of veterans who were identified by Senior Services North Fulton. Funds that remained after the three projects were completed will be donated to support future renovations to other veterans homes. Our Warrior Weekend was a wonderful experience. It was inspiring to see so many volunteers come out to give back to those who have served our country, said an LNF team member. This is what Leadership North Fulton is all aboutbuilding relationships and taking civic responsibility while we support and celebrate all the members of our community. The LNF team who led the Warrior Weekend project included Carol Swan, HomeStretch; Lauren Lambiase, Georgia Power; Paul Cantrell, Insight Wealth Advisors; Olivia Ibrahim, Progress Partners; Roger Bauer, Kaiser Permanente and Christine Ward City of Roswell. Sponsors of the project included Kaiser Permanente, Comcast, Staff Zone, Renasant Bank, Arrow Lenovo, Bank of North Georgia, Jackson Healthcare, Home Depot, Genoa Construction, Top Job Staffing, Fickle Pickle, Atlanta Bread Company, Costco, Russell Landscaping, Lucky's Burger and Brew, and Wender and Roberts Pharmacy. To learn more about the Warrior Weekend project and how you can help support aging veterans in the community, visit www.ssnorthfulton.org or http://www.ssnorthfulton.org/volunteer/warrior-weekend-project. To learn more about Leadership North Fulton, visit www.gnfcc.com
City of Johns Creek Closes on Cauley Creek Land Purchase The City Council made the decision to purchase the approximately 133 acres of land for recreation and parks. With this purchase, Johns Creek now has more than 300 acres of park land. The property will be utilized for recreation and open space for the benefit of the community. The purchase aligns with the top recommendation from the Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan to acquire at least one, 100-plus acre tract of land. The purchase price, which includes the Cauley Creek Water Reclamation Plant, is $152,500 per acre for a total of a little more than $20.3 million. As part of a partnership with Trust for Public Land, announced in January 2016, the Trust for Public Land contributed $1.5 million towards the purchase price. The Cauley Creek property is located in the eastern half of the city, adjacent to the Rogers Bridge Trail and the proposed Rogers Bridge connection to Duluth. It has vehicular access from Bell Road, as well as significant frontage along the Chattahoochee River. The property is bordered to the west by Cauley Creek and to the east by the Rogers Bridge Trail. Cauley Creek Water Reclamation, LLC, which is selling the property to the city, will continue to maintain the plant for one year following the transaction. The plant is not in use, but the city will consider all options regarding the future of the plant. The final park site plan has yet to be determined. Later this year, the city will begin to develop plans on how to utilize the parks. The public will be included in the process to help determine the final park layout.
Join Forces this Month for North Fultons Warrior Weekend Help create lasting, quality improvements to the homes and lives of aging veterans in the North Fulton community by signing up to volunteer or sponsor the Weekend Warrior Project. On April 30, teams of approximately 75 volunteers will come together to repair and enhance at least three homes in North Fulton that belong to eligible, aging veterans, as identified by Senior Services North Fulton. Led by Leadership North Fulton, a program of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the Weekend Warrior Project seeks not only volunteers, but also individuals and businesses willing to sponsor this event. Sponsorships range from $100 to $1,000, with a unique set of promotional benefits offered to each level. For more information, to volunteer or to become a sponsor, contact Paul Cantrell, Warrior Weekend Project Captain, at 678-792-4404 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Milton Fire-Rescue Recognizes Top 2015 Firefighters Milton Fire-Rescue Department recognized 2015s top firefighters at the 5th Annual Recognition and Awards Ceremony. The ceremony recognized firefighters for exemplary acts, including saving lives on EMS calls, public outreach and promotional recognition. Throughout the nine-year history of the department, Milton Fire-Rescues most important assets have been the firefighters in the field who are in the community every day helping those in need. 2015 Fire Fighter of the Year - Captain Jason Cantrell2015 Life Saving Award - FAO Erick SprouseFire Company of the Year Award - Engine 42 and Rescue 42 B ShiftFire Chiefs Award - Captain Alex Fortner
Roswell Receives PlanFirst Award for 2030 Comprehensive Plan The City of Roswell was recognized by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as an official PlanFirst community, a designation given to local governments that clearly demonstrate success in implementing their local comprehensive plans. Roswell was awarded this honor specifically for its 2030 Comprehensive Plan. PlanFirst is an incredibly distinguished award, with only 17 jurisdictions in the state carrying the designation. In addition to statewide recognition and use of the PlanFirst name, the designation also comes with many benefits to the City, including access to a reduced interest rate on certain Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) state loans, bonus points on applications for DCA programs including the Employment Incentive Program, Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund and Redevelopment Fund, and free attendance at DCA Community Planning Institute events. It is quite an honor for the City to be recognized with the PlanFirst designation, said Alice Wakefield, Director of Roswells Community Development Department. What this demonstrates is that the Roswell community has a strong, shared vision for our citys future and a clear path to follow to reach our goals.
Trust for Public Land Partners with Johns Creek in Acquisition of 133-Acre Park The Trust for Public Land is contributing $1.5 million towards the $20.3 million purchase price of 133 acres of park land on the Chattahoochee River at Cauley Creek. Additionally, the City is partnering with the Trust for Public Land for professional services related to the acquisition, which includes a professionally administered public opinion survey and feasibility research on funding options for park development. In November, the City authorized Mayor Bodker to execute a $20.3 million purchase agreement for the land, which includes a dormant water reclamation plant. While specific plans for the development of the park are yet to be determined, the public will have opportunities to share their vision for the future park. The property is located in the eastern half of the city, adjacent to the Rogers Bridge Trail and the proposed Rogers Bridge connection to Duluth. The property fronts Bell Road and has nearly 2,000 feet of frontage along the Chattahoochee River. To the west, the property is bordered by Cauley Creek and to the east by the Rogers Bridge Trail. The proposed park ties in with a 2010 purchase of 44 acres on the Chattahoochee River and directly adjacent to the Rogers Bridge Trail by the Trust for Public land that was sold to National Park Service in 2011.
Little Helpers Donates to MUST Ministries The Hernandez family donated 500 utensil rolls as part of the Little Helpers of Atlantas monthly service project. The family volunteer group holds monthly service projects for children of all ages. The program is designed to help young people understand the value of volunteering, recognize the blessings in their lives, broaden their community perspective and feel the sense of accomplishment received from lending a helping hand.
Mayor and Council Authorize Pivotal Park Land Purchase The Johns Creek City Council authorized the Mayor to execute a purchase agreement for approximately 20 acres for park land. We are pleased to have the opportunity to acquire this property, especially as it is located in the north central corridor of the city, in Technology Park, stated Mayor Mike Bodker. This property provides the city unique, passive recreation options in an area of the city in need of additional recreational and park opportunities. The purchase aligns with the recommendations from the draft Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan and follows the recent purchase of 133 acres of land for recreation and parks. The propertys purchase price is $139,953 per acre, with an asking price of approximately $2.85 million. The 20-acre property is located adjacent to Medlock Bridge Road, stretching between Johns Creek Parkway and East Johns Crossing. The purchase of this property would increase total city park land to approximately 360-acres and provide recreation space in the north central section of the city, currently identified as being underserved by the Recreation and Park Strategic Plan. The final site plan has yet to be determined. The public will have input into the final usage of the property.
City of Roswell Purchases Roswell Plaza Shopping Center Roswell City Council recently voted to approve the Citys purchase of the Roswell Plaza Shopping Center, located near the intersection of Alpharetta Street and Norcross Street. The Citys purchase will allow Roswells newly elected City Council members to weigh in on the best uses for the property. Due to this propertys prominent location in downtown Roswell, near both City Hall and Canton Street, its vital to ensure that the City, the DDA and any potential developers are on the same page regarding future development, said Roswell Mayor, Jere Wood. The Citys ownership of the property will allow City Council to direct redevelopment of the property consistent with the goal of sustainable economic growth. The DDA will continue to partner with the City on this project and lead the effort to seek redevelopment proposals. The DDAs use of economic development tools will be aligned with the City Councils goals for the property.
New Restaurants to Open in Alpharettas Avalon Alpharettas mixed-use development, Avalon, will soon be welcoming 2 new restaurants, Caf Intermezzo and Farm to Ladle. Caf Intermezzo, the European Coffeehouse, already boasts 3 metro Atlanta locations; its first Dunwoody location was established in 1979. They describe their menu as holding a plethora of choices, including the Beverage Book, containing over 50 pages, with coffees, teas, many distinct beverages without alcohol, as well as liquors and liqueurs, wines and champagnes, and beers from many countries; pastry selections numbering over seventy on display at any given time, and 125 in total. In addition, their breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night cuisine choices are all house-prepared and originate from a variety of world cultures. This will be Farm to Ladles 2nd metro Atlanta location. They are a European caf and farm-stand who take pride in serving soups, salads and sandwiches that are made with locally sourced produce and herbs. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they also offer grab-n-go menu options. Caf Intermezzo and Farm to Ladle are set to open by spring 2016.