GDOT hosts Community Conversations on I-285 Top End Express Lanes Project

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 30, 2019

          Contact: Natalie Dale 404.631.1814
 

Georgia DOT to Host Community Conversations on  I-285 Top End Express Lanes Project ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) has announced dates for Community Conversations: I-285 Top End Express Lanes, a series of informational meetings focusing on improved trip time reliability around the I-285 Top End and SR 400 areas included in the proposed I-285 Top End Express Lanes in DeKalb, Fulton, and Cobb counties. Georgia DOT is inviting the community to attend one of the meetings, scheduled between May 14-23, 2019, which will be held across six municipalities from Smyrna to Chamblee (schedule with dates and locations below). Community Conversations: I-285 Top End Express Lanes will give I-285 and SR 400 users and other stakeholders in the area a greater understanding of the different mobility options available and the continuing development of transportation infrastructure over the past decade. “Community Conversations: I-285 Top End Express Lanes serves as a bridge between past improvement projects and current proposed projects,” Georgia DOT Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) Program Manager Tim Matthews, P.E. said. “The series of meetings allows those living and working along the I-285 top end to better understand the future of transportation in the area, as hundreds of thousands of people commute along this corridor every day. These community forums will be informational and offer the public more opportunities to learn about the project from representatives of the department and project team. We are here to listen and address any questions you may have.” No project concept displays will be provided at the Community Conversations meeting series as these are in development and will be reflective of the community’s input from these meetings. The meetings are to inform local stakeholders of Georgia DOT’s decision to formally close the Revive285 project, to rescind the existing Revive285 project’s Notice of Intent (NOI), and to move forward with I-285 Top End Express Lanes project. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the lead federal agency. Previous improvements designed and constructed, which were originally proposed as part of Revive285 include the Ashford Dunwoody Road Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI), the Riverside Drive roundabout, and the Transform 285/400 project, which is currently under construction. The meetings will be informal, with a brief opening presentation, followed by opportunities for the public to visit with project team members who will be divided into topical stations for informal questions and feedback. This format will be followed at each location. The highly-anticipated Public Information Open House (PIOH) meetings will be held in early 2020 where the initial concept plans will be displayed, and the project team will be accepting formal public comments. The I-285 Top End Express Lanes project proposes to construct express lanes along I-285 from west of Paces Ferry Road in Cobb County to Henderson Road in DeKalb County, and a section along SR 400 from south of the Glenridge Connector to the vicinity of the North Springs MARTA Station. The proposed express lanes would improve mobility and travel time reliability along the I-285 corridor and become part of the larger Georgia Express Lanes network. Dedicated email and phone voicemail boxes for the I-285 Top End Express Lanes are available atTopEndExpressLanes@dot.ga.gov and (404) 978-7490. Additional project information can be found athttp://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL/I285TopEnd and more information on the Georgia Express Lanes network can be found at http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL.    Community Conversations: I-285 Top End Express Lanes Schedule Date Time Location Address May 14 12 – 2 p.m. Doraville  Clarion Conference Center 2001 Clearview Avenue Doraville, GA 30340 May 14 6 – 8 p.m. Chamblee  Chamblee First United Methodist Church 4147 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Chamblee, GA 30341 May 15 12 – 2 p.m. Dunwoody St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church 1978 Mt. Vernon Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 May 21 6 – 8 p.m. Smyrna  Smyrna Community Center 200 Village Green Cir SE  Smyrna, GA 30080 May 22 12 – 2 p.m. Sandy Springs  Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Suites 6120 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Sandy Springs, GA 30328 May 22 6 – 8 p.m. Dunwoody Dunwoody City Hall 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE  Dunwoody, GA 30338 May 23 6 – 8 p.m. Brookhaven Brookhaven City Hall 4362 Peachtree Road Brookhaven, GA 30319

Lemonade Days presented by the Dunwoody Preservation Trust is now in full swing at Brook Run Park. #LDays19

Check out all the great rides and food options being offered at Lemonade Days.

Photos

Dunwoody's Lemonade Days Carnival kicks off on Wednesday at Brook Run Park.

Lemonade Days is finally here.  As far as the rides go, Wednesday & Thursday are the best value as the lines are the shortest.  Friday Night and Saturday afternoon to the evening are usually the busiest times.  Plan accordingly, let the kids have a great time and use the coupon below.

https://www.dunwoodylemonadedays.org

Lemonade Days will run from Wednesday, April 24th through Sunday, April 28th

Featuring more than 30 full-scale carnival rides (wristbands for unlimited rides are available [$20 on Wednesday; $25 Thursday-Sunday]), more than 20 fabulous food and beverage vendors, a 5K Run, three days of center stage performances and the popular Dunwoody Idol contest, Lemonade Days is a Dunwoody Signature Event that has become a highlight of the city’s calendar and its most popular family event of the year. Full schedule of events here.

Lemonade Days is held at Brook Run, located at 4770 North Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338.

Dunwoody Junior Wildcat Football for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

Registration is now OPEN for rising 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders who live in the Dunwoody High School district and want to play football the Wildcat way!

Coach Nash and his coaching staff will host two informational meetings:

Tuesday, April 30^th at 7:00pm in the gym

Tuesday, May 14^th at 7:00pm in the gym

Please register online:

www.dunwoodyjuniorwildcatfootball.com

****There will be a walkup registration on Sunday, May 19^th from 2:00-5:00 in the DHS gym.

Dunwoody Crier resurrected and purchased by Appen Media Group.

Announced on the Dunwoody Crier.

Appen Media Group announced April 19 it plans to take over operations of the Dunwoody Crier weekly newspaper from Publisher Dick Williams.

Longtime General Manager Jim Hart will join the staff of Appen Media Group, publishers of the Alpharetta-Roswell Herald, Johns Creek Herald, Forsyth Herald, Milton Herald and Northside Woman.

“The Crier will continue to serve Dunwoody under the leadership of longtime General Manager Jim Hart and with the additional resources of AMG and the Herald Newspapers,” Williams said. “Our veteran reporters will continue their work.”

Appen plans to continue publication of the newspaper in its current format to its existing 18,000 households.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to welcome The Crier into the Appen Media fold and build on the 42 years of community-based news we have come to expect from Dick and his family of reporters,” said Hans Appen, president of AMG.

Terms for the private acquisition are not being released.

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday April 22, 2019

Monday, April 22, 2019
Dunwoody City Hall
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd

Dunwoody, GA 30338

6:00 p.m. - Watch Live

Agenda

Proclamation - "Georgia Cities Week" April 21-27, 2019

FIRST READ: Review and Consideration of Text Amendments Regarding Standard Informational Signs (Chapter 20)

FIRST READ: Review and Consideration of Text Amendments Regarding the Zoning Code (Chapter 27)

Approval of a Unit Price Contract for Small Construction Projects

Resolution Designating Legal Organ for Official Publication and Notices of the City.

FIRST READ: Review and Consideration of Text Amendments Regarding Access to Gated Communities (Chapter 8)

FIRST READ: Review and Consideration of Text Amendments Regarding Fireworks (Chapter 18)

Creation of a Commercial Streetlight District

Resolution to Establish a Streetlight District for Old Woodall Court

Monarchs & Margaritas & Mules - Dunwoody Nature Center's upscale Party in the Park! April 27, 2019 6:00 PM

Please come and support the Dunwoody Nature Center's biggest fundraiser of the year, this upscale casual party featuring sophisticated American fare from the Brooklyn Café and the hottest drink around--Moscow Mules!

https://dunwoodynature.org/monarchs-margaritas-mules/

Endeavor Montessori to open new school in Dunwoody, GA on Perimeter Center East. Job Fair next week.

Endeavor Montessori - Dunwoody, GA
56 Perimeter Ctr E, Dunwoody, GA 30346

Please join Endeavor Montessori for their Job Fair on Thursday, April 25 from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Saturday, April 27 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. You will learn more about their open positions and have the opportunity to ask all of your important questions. Teachers, they look forward to seeing you there!  Perspective parents of students - more information coming soon.

Assistant Teachers	Georgia, Dunwoody
Education Director	Georgia, Dunwoody
IB Teacher	Georgia, Dunwoody
Lead Teachers	Georgia, Dunwoody
STEM Teachers	Georgia, Dunwoody

Dunwoody Mayor Denny Shortal gives the 2019 State of the City Address, announces he won’t seek reelection.

Full 1 hour video

4K High Def Video

Denny Shortal announcement - It's time for me to make time.

Last Friday Night Fish Fry at Dunwoody's All Saints (Broiled salmon, fried shrimp, hush puppies and clam chowder are my personal faves!)

Last chance to join me for an All Saints' fish fry 2019 is this Friday evening. 

The 2019 Lenten Fish Frys are 5-8pm in the Gym (lower level parking lot). Skip the cooking and come enjoy a delicious seafood meal with your Dunwoody-area neighbors & friends!

The fish fry menu includes entrees of broiled salmon, fried shrimp and broiled or fried cod with sides of French fries, roasted potatoes, green beans, rice and hush puppies. A new twist this year is turning any entree into fish tacos. Our most popular menu item is the made-from-scratch New England clam chowder.

Take out or dine in. Prices range from $5 for kids’ meals to $10 for fresh salmon.Senior discounts of $1 for 60+ from 5-6pm. Cash and credit cards accepted. This event is open to the community. All profits go to our many K of C charities.

Saturday - Earth Day Stream Clean Up in Dunwoody & Paint Recycling. Girl Scouts of Dunwoody North sub-divison also have a special project.

Above is the official notice for Stream Clean Up for the City of Dunwoody taking place Saturday morning but the Dunwoody North subdivision Girl Scouts are also having a little side clean up project that I may be joining. For my neighbors in Dunwoody North looking to enjoy the afternoon and help the environment, please stop by to help the little ladies.

"Hi friends and neighbors!! If you are free this Saturday, April 13, 2-3:30PM, please consider coming out to support Girl Scout Troop 16434 as they work to clean up Nancy Creek at the bottom of Vintage Lane. These sweet 3rd-grade girls have chosen this clean up as their way to make a difference in their community, and it would mean so much to them to see you guys there! "

Dunwoody High School Construction Advisory Committee status update on DHS renovation and expansion plans.

As our community is aware, Dunwoody High School (DHS) is scheduled for a renovation and expansion funded by eSPLOST V. DHS was built for a capacity of 1,505 students. DHS currently has about 600 students over that capacity and, according to DeKalb County School District (DCSD) projections dated November 29, 2018, we are projected to be about 840 (i.e., 243 additional students) students over our current capacity in the 2021-2022 school year.

The Construction Advisory Committee (CAC) for DHS, which is comprised of Ms. Cole (DHS principal) and five DHS parents, recently had its preliminary design meeting with multiple representatives of both DCSD’s construction team and the architecture firm retained for this project. The project is now in the schematic design phase. It is our understanding that DCSD is proposing to increase its investment in the DHS expansion project to meet updated capacity projections and to address increases in construction costs in the area. It is important to note that the expanded project is not for 1,000 “new” students (as we have heard mentioned from time to time in the community), but rather is intended to accommodate the 600 excess (over capacity) students that already are attending DHS, as well as the additional population growth of 200-300 students that DHS is projected to receive over the next few years.

While the project design is just beginning, CAC representatives were able to see some initial concepts and are encouraged by these discussions. Some specific items discussed relating to project scope were the following:

1. While the project scope now proposes 41 new classrooms (as opposed to the 26 classrooms initially proposed) for Board approval, these classes are not limited to any specific type of classroom and can include rooms like science rooms, chorus, band, health, math, drama, etc. as dictated by the needs and requests of the school.

2. The DCSD team and architect are taking into account specific requests from the DHS principal and staff related to needs within the school.

3. The project intends to bury the retention pond and add surface parking over that area, adding approximately 120 to 160 parking spaces. This will greatly increase the overall ratio of parking spaces available on site, reducing the amount of parking required in adjacent neighborhoods.

4. The project includes providing artificial turf over the practice field at DHS. This will further improve an area that the Dunwoody community has put substantial recent investment into by providing new bleachers, lighting, track surface, and fencing.

5. The project will include expansion of the media center at DHS.

6. The project will include expansion of (or replacement of) the cafeteria at DHS.

7. The project will include expansion of (or replacement of) the kitchen at DHS.

8. The project will eliminate all trailers at DHS, by providing new permanent classrooms.

9. The project will provide much needed new offices and meeting space for administrators, counselors and school staff.

10. In designing the project, the architect is trying to improve the flow of the school. Among other things, this should help to distribute the student population more evenly throughout the school, which should decrease congestion in certain areas during class changes, etc.

11. Subject to approval of the board, the budget for the project will be increased to accommodate the increased scope.

DCSD’s intent to shift additional SPLOST dollars to DHS (above what was originally planned) will allow the project to meet future projections and more adequately address common area spaces for the students and teachers in our DHS community. Since DCSD has decided that changes to the scope of various projects are appropriate in light of the recent projections, and due to the increased construction costs in our area, we understand that the DHS project, as well as other projects included in eSPLOST V, are anticipated to be presented to the Board of Education in May and brought for a vote in June. With respect to DHS, we understand that the Board will have before it at that time for a vote both the change of scope and an increased budget.

We look forward to continuing to stay a part of this process, and we hope to have full support in helping to make the most of this considerable investment into Dunwoody High School.

Sincerely,

DHS CAC – Principal Cole, David Levy, Kelly Clinch, Chad Griffith, Randi Siegel, Louise Headland

2019 State of the City of Dunwoody - Thursday, April 11, 2019, 6:00 p.m. and lots of new City amenities. Thank you Crier & Dick Williams!

The City of Dunwoody and the Rotary Club of Dunwoody are proud to announce the tenth annual State of the City event! This landmark event signifies another successful year for the City of Dunwoody and offers an opportunity to present the vision for the year ahead.

The 2019 State of the City is the premier city-sponsored event, which provides an opportunity for the public to hear from Mayor Denis Shortal. Mayor Shortal will share his thoughts on the local, social and economic climate along with his vision for the growth and future of Dunwoody.

The event draws representation from the heart of our community, ranging from residents and those in community service organizations to business leaders and government representatives. This event is open to the public. We hope you will join us in celebrating the outlook of what is sure to be a great year for the City of Dunwoody!

City of Dunwoody 2019 State of the City
Thursday, April 11, 2019 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Ravinia (Ravinia Ballroom)
4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road Dunwoody, Georgia 30346
6:00 p.m. Reception (Ravinia Ballroom)
7:00 p.m. State of the City (Ravinia Ballroom)

Parking at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia parking deck is complimentary

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Brook Run Playground is being refreshed with new benches too. (Playground closed for short time.)

The new pedestrian bridge connecting Georgetown to Perimeter Center in #Dunwoody is OPEN!

 Brook Run Park improvements groundbreaking.

 Georgetown Kroger (4498 Chamblee Dunwoody Road) offers GA License Plate Renewal

Several stream clean up opportunities this weekend - more details tomorrow.

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Finally, hats off to the Dick Williams and the dedicated staff of the Dunwoody Crier.  Thank you for the wonderful service to the community for many years.

Drawing on the back door of Crier offices.

Messages from Friends

Operation "PROM" Night - Please Return On Monday

Dunwoody High School's Prom is coming this weekend therefore as parents we are typically assisting with formal wear, flowers, hair styling and photos.  A quick reminder for thier safety is also suggested.

My sister Kathleen works at the high school she graduated from almost 30 years ago and in preparation for the up coming Prom Season she assists in putting on "Operation Prom Night" for her students, which is a program about making smart choices during prom season and throughout life.

The theme was to "Please Return On Monday" and she said it was powerful reminder about how driving under the influence can cause tragedy. The speakers who shared their stories of loss and grief were amazing and she said it was an honor to witness.   The video below is from a similar program and it gives a flavor of the program done by my sisters school.

If you have young adults going to prom, please tell them to have fun but to also be safe.

Video

• More than one-third of youth under the age of 21 who are killed in alcohol-related fatalities died during the months of April, May and June - prom season.
• During the typical prom weekend, 46% of traffic deaths among 15-20 year olds are alcohol-related.
• Of those alcohol-related fatalities, 69% involve a 15-20 year old driver with alcohol in his/her system.
• Teens view drinking alcohol - even heavy drinking - as less risky than using other substances

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday April 8, 2019 - Retirement of Deputy Chief David Sides and rezoning on Roberts for new homes.

Monday, April 8, 2019
Dunwoody City Hall
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd

Dunwoody, GA 30338

6:00 p.m. - Watch Live

Agenda

Administration of Oath of Office to Officer Michael Noel

Proclamation Recognizing Deputy Chief David Sides (Chief Grogan)

RZ19-01: J. Ethan Underwood, attorney for the owner, on behalf of RRR 2018, LLC, owner of 5318 and 5328 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody, GA, 30338, seeks to rezone the property from its current R-100 (Single-dwelling Residential) District zoning classification to an R-50 (Single-dwelling Residential) District.

Resolution Readopting Ethics Principles - Georgia City of Ethics - City Code

Funding Authorization for 1352 Wyntercreek Rd Stormwater Repairs (Carl Thomas)

Funding Authorization for 1561 Chateau Drive Stormwater Repairs (Carl Thomas)

Dunwoody's Brook Run Plant & Art Sale, April 5 - 7

Mark your calendar to attend the annual Art in the Park exhibit and Dunwoody Community Garden Plant Sale from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 7.  Plant sale hours are 9:00 to 5:00, and art sale hours are 11:00 to 5:00.  The Dunwoody Community Garden and Orchard and Dunwoody Fine Art Association partner to create this joint event that supports the arts and the community garden at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody near the skate facility.  The plant sale is outside and includes affordable herbs, vegetables and flowers that thrive in our area.  The artwork is inside the barn and includes affordable art from artists who regularly exhibit in galleries, juried shows and regional/national events.  There will be framed and unframed artwork in a range of styles to suit any home or office.

Thank you DPD for 10 Years of Dedicated Service! Birth of the Dunwoody Police Department - April 1, 2009

Chief Grogan is giving the First Roll Call followed by impressive Dunwoody Police Roll Out

 Video - showing the amount of Dunwoody Police cars needed to start the city.

Did you know we couldn't find enough police cars for startup so we were forced to paint the white cars, half black and painted the black cars, half white?

After looking back over the 10 years of photos, videos and blog posts, I feel as if I am now sharing my child's baby pictures but then again the Dunwoody Police Department belongs to all of us.  There is a small party tonight at City Hall to celebrate and recognize the occasion.  Bring the kids as there will be a behind the scenes tour included.

Open House from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.