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Sandy Springs Allocates $21.4 Million for Capital Projects, Including New Park and Road Repaving
Sandy Springs has earmarked $21.4 million for various capital projects, which include the development of a new park and ongoing road repaving efforts.
The largest portion of the budget, amounting to $6 million, is dedicated to the pavement management program. Additionally, the project will receive $1 million from the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Local Maintenance Improvement Grant, as noted by City Manager Eden Freeman.
Freeman indicated that the city staff is requesting the city council’s approval to redirect $750,000 within the budget toward enhancements in the City Springs District. This would establish a dedicated capital account for investments in park infrastructure or improvements to Fire Station 4.
Furthermore, a $3 million budget proposal has already been made for enhancements in the City Springs District. This includes plans for demolishing existing structures on city-owned land and upgrading infrastructure.
The city has recently emptied the cistern beneath City Springs and intends to implement repairs and upgrades, including the installation of a liner, which has an engineering estimate of around $1.5 million.
Old Riverside Park, a planned passive park along the Chattahoochee River, is set to receive $2.5 million for its construction.
Freeman’s proposals for the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget are available for review online.
Proposal for Outsourcing Stormwater System Assessment
Assistant City Manager Chris Owens suggested that the city consider hiring a contractor to perform a federally mandated visual assessment of its stormwater pipes. This contractor would possess the specialized equipment and expertise needed for the task.
Owens explained that the city regularly gathers data on its stormwater system, contributing this information to its geographic information systems (GIS) through ongoing surveys and reports on issues like leaks. By involving an external contractor for the visual inspections, the city aims to enhance its data collection and better predict future maintenance costs.
The contractor’s imagery and video footage would help the city identify and address potential issues proactively, minimizing the risk of pipe failures, Owens noted.
Plans for a Director of Data Strategy and AI
Sandy Springs is considering establishing a director of data strategy and analytics position, potentially making it the first city in Georgia to do so, according to Freeman.
Cities such as Chattanooga, Austin, Arlington, Palo Alto, San Jose, and Alexandria have already created similar roles and departments.
“This position will consolidate all our data into a single platform, streamlining access to the information we need for better decision-making by the council,” Freeman explained. “Additionally, this individual will serve as our AI lead, exploring how we can integrate artificial intelligence into our city services.”
Freeman also mentioned that a survey has been distributed to the city’s senior leadership to assess their current and future use of AI. They have begun drafting a policy regarding the ethical use of AI in local government, guided by best practices from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Bloomberg Initiative.
Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly connected a GDOT grant to the pavement management capital funds allocation. The $1 million grant is not included in the budgeted allocation.
