Challenges to creating connectivity (Sandy Springs: 2013, shopping centers, parking)

[arjay57]

This is a fairly common problem. If you try to break up big blocks where shopping centers are located, the retailers will head south. Folks like their parking lots and they don't want some street grid crammed down their throats.

Jack T. Haylett, Branch Properties Senior Vice President, spoke to [the Sandy Springs] City Council during its Nov. 19 meeting, when the council discussed a draft map of the proposed street grid.

“We are in discussions about redeveloping a good part of that center,” Haylett said. “It’s a slow process. We’re working through that. We’re in discussions with the retailer on that site and have developed elevations and all kinds of stuff for them, but your plan shows a road going straight through our property and then another one bisecting the property.

“If we go in to try to redevelop our property, my understanding is we are potentially going to have to dedicate those roads to y’all. I know that if we talk to this retailer and tell them that, they’ll have to take their shopping carts across the road. It’s just not going to happen.”

Sandy Springs: CityWalk says streets plan a threat - Reporter Newspapers)