Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday May 13, 2024 (Apartments & Hotel at State Farm, Vermack / DHS sidewalk & lighting, Waterford Playground, General Fund Update)

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday May 13, 2024 - 6:00 PM
DUNWOODY CITY HALL - DUNWOODY HALL
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD
DUNWOODY, GA 30338

Agenda 6 pm  - City Site Agenda 

City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City of Dunwoody’s Facebook page. 

They are also available for viewing (no two way communication) on Zoom,
https://dunwoodyga-gov.zoom.us/j/84919972403 or  phone +14703812552,,84919972403#

You can access the video after the meeting on the City of Dunwoody’s YouTube page.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 

Recognition of Citizens' Police Academy Class XIV Graduates (Officer Hernandez/Chief Carlson)

Administration of Oath of Office to Officer Alvin Slocum

Public comments - in person 3 min each / 30 min max with additional at end of meeting if needed. 

Economic Development Update (Michael Starling)

City Manager's Monthly Report

Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Peachtree Corners for the Winters Chapel Path Phase 2 Project

Contract with TSW for Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code

SECOND READ: RZ 23-03, 245 Perimeter Center Parkway: Rezone from PDc to PDc to amend the zoning conditions of case RZ 15-072 to allow the development of a mixed use project including office, hotel, and multifamily residential with associated retail, restaurant, amenity space, and structured parking

Request for Additional Personnel: Public Safety Ambassadors (Chief Carlson)

Approval of a Contract and Funding Authorization for Phase II of the Vermack Path at Dunwoody High School

Approval of a Lighting Services Agreement with Georgia Power for the Vermack Path

Approval of SS4A Implementation Grant Application for North Peachtree Road

Contract Award for Waterford Park Playground Equipment

Discussion of Conversion of Contracted Positions to City Positions for the Technology Department

2024 City Council Retreat Recap

General Fund Forecast and Update

Dunwoody City Council Meeting for Monday April 8, 2024 (Clean Air / Smoking Regulations, Winter Chapel 12 ft Path, State Farm complex apartments, Chief Grogan)

Agenda 6 pm  - City Site Agenda 

City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City of Dunwoody’s Facebook page. 

They are also available for viewing (no two way communication) on Zoom,
https://dunwoodyga-gov.zoom.us/j/84919972403 or  phone +14703812552,,84919972403#

You can access the video after the meeting on the City of Dunwoody’s YouTube page.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 

Public comments - in person 3 min each / 30 min max with additional at end of meeting if needed.

City of Dunwoody Proclamation for Chief Billy Grogan

City Manager's Monthly Report

First Read & Public Hearing: RZ 23-03, 245 Perimeter Center Parkway: Rezone from PDc to PDc to amend the zoning conditions of case RZ 15-072 to allow the development of a mixed use project including office, hotel, and multifamily residential with associated retail, restaurant, amenity space, and structured parking

Approval of Conversion of Contracted Positions and Creation of New City Position for the Technology Department

Approval of Amendment of Position Allocation and Compensation Chart and Market Adjustment for City Employees

Agreement for Managed Networking Service Provider

Funding Authorization for 5695 Trowbridge Drive Storm Repairs

Contract Award for Parks and Recreation Sign Package

Contract Award for North Shallowford Annex Maintenance Repairs

First Read: Review and Consideration of a Text Amendment to Update the Clean Indoor Air Regulations, Chapter 24

I am not a smoker but I have attended "late night business meetings" in an establishment that focused on Bourbon and Cigars. The place of business I visited had a negative pressure air filtration system whereby my clothes didn't smell of smoke when I left.  I believe this proposed ordinance brought to us from the American Heart Association and placed on the agenda by staff or council is an overstep of regulations and I am unsure what we are fixing.  I would like to know the complete impact of the proposal prior to voting on it especially when it may limit a niche business model that could bring a successful establishment to our city.  I understand the intent of protecting all employees from second-hand smoke but when the establishment (or private club) can protect employees an exception needs to be explored.  I will be asking staff to review Gwinnett, Houston and other jurisdictions looking for best practices allowing exceptions.  A cigar bar exception could include the following ...

“Cigar Bar means an establishment operated by a holder of an On Premise Beer and Wine
Permit or other Alcohol Beverage Licensing Permit that:
1. Does not sell food;
2. In addition to selling beer and wine, annually receives 15 percent or more of
its gross revenue from the sale of cigars, and tobacco-related products, except from the sale of
cigarettes. A cigar bar shall not discount alcohol if sold in combination with
cigars or other tobacco products and tobacco-related products;
3. Has a walk-in humidor on the premises;
4. Has a high capacity, negative pressure air cleaning ventilation system, located in such a manner to control second hand smoke exposure to non-smokers.
5. Only permits the smoking of cigars, and does not permit the smoking of cigarettes; and
6. Does not include any establishment which is primarily a bar or restaurant and
which undertakes to make retail offerings of tobacco products as a means of
circumventing the purposes of this article.”

Contract with AECOM for North Shallowford Road Path Project Concept Design

Contract with Practical Design Partners, LLC for Winters Chapel Path Phase 2 Design

On November 7th, the Citizens of Dunwoody voted down a bond referendum for Parks & Paths development and on November 8th an RFP was released for the Winters Chapel Path design which mandates that the path will be 12 feet wide, even in front of the single family residential properties.  This item is now on the agenda for discussion.

Description: Winter Chapel Road Path Phase II. The project consists of a 12-foot shared-use path (SUP) along the west side only of Winters Chapel Road between Charmant Place and Peeler Road in the cities of Dunwoody and Peachtree Corners. In addition to the shared-use path, the project will add lighting and street trees along the corridor. The project connects residential areas on the north end of the project to a MARTA bus route and commercial node at the south end of the project.

Request for Pre-Construction Funding for Real Time Crime Center

State Farm complex in Dunwoody looks to grow - @KDC_Development proposes high rise residential / hotel next to Marta Station. @troutmanpepper @AtlBizChron @WhatNowAtlanta

 Full Proposal is available here in this link.

This development proposal will be going in front of the Dunwoody Planning Commission on Tuesday February 13th and then in a month or two the proposal most likely will be making it to the full City Council for review and decision.

The site is located at 245 Perimeter Center Parkway, Dunwoody, GA 30346, on the west side of Perimeter Center Parkway and the south side of Hammond Road. The lot is the last remaining piece of the Park Center development which abuts the Fulton County line to the west and vacant land owned by the City to the south. The applicant seeks permission to rezone the subject property from PDc to PDc; this rezoning does not affect the zoning classification of the property, but rather is an amendment of the zoning conditions of case RZ 15-72, as it relates to the future development of the subject parcel.

The 2015 Overall Development Plan, which sets the limits and zoning regulations for the development, entitled the applicant to the following:

• 1.8 million square feet of office space
• 90,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space
• 7,000 structured parking spaces
• Maximum height of 35 stories above the plaza level
• The subject property was not addressed and was left as greenspace

Based on the proposal above, a DRI (development of regional impact study) was completed along with the 2015 rezoning and was approved. As a part of that process, the applicant conducted a detailed Traffic Impact Study which included Trip Generation and Access Analysis. The recommendations from the 2015 DRI were fulfilled with the development of Park Center buildings 2 & 3. In 2023, the applicant has submitted its plans to the Atlanta Regional Commission, which compared the anticipated traffic impacts with the 2015 DRI plans. The now-proposed development of the subject property would not create worse impacts so, per the Community Development Director and the Atlanta Regional Commission, another DRI was not necessary.

Since 2015, two office buildings, Park Center buildings 2 & 3, have been constructed and completed in 2021 and 2022. Following these developments, the property is currently entitled to the remaining 729,613 SF of office, 33,586 SF of restaurant/retail, and 2,833 structured parking spaces. The applicant proposes to construct a new building, Building 4, on the subject property and requests to construct up to 300,000 SF of office space, 300 multi-family residential units, 175 hotel rooms, 22,000 square feet of restaurant/retail, and 1,565 square feet of structured parking spaces, with a maximum building height of 37 stories. The request for multi-family residential and a hotel are not permitted under the 2015 Overall Development Plan and are new uses requested.

The current zoning of this property is Planned Development District (PD). PD districts are not subject to regulations dictated by the zoning ordinance; instead, the uses and site and building regulations are dictated by the Overall Development Plan (ODP). The existing ODP from 2015, which covers the entirety of Park Center, does not anticipate residential multi-family dwelling units. Due to this designation, development of this property with the proposed mix of uses at this site requires a zoning map amendment.

The applicant proposes to amend the ODP for the subject property to allow Building 4 to have the following proportion of uses:

• Up to 300,000 SF of office
• Up to 175 hotel rooms
• Up to 22,000 SF of restaurant/retail/other permitted uses
• Up to 300 multi-family residential units

Additional residential development within such close proximity to the Dunwoody MARTA station, Campus 244, High Street, and the mall will serve to further activate this area of Perimeter Center. New residential units will complement the surrounding uses, by allowing nearby employees an opportunity to live within walking distance to their job; additional residential units will also further support the new retail, restaurant, and entertainment nearby. A number of the retail spaces at Park Center were intended to cater to office employees. Due to remote work and overall office space vacancy, the number of customers is much lower than initially anticipated. Adding hotel and apartment units to the mix will diversify the customer base with people working remotely or visiting the area.

The proposed use mix reduces both peak AM and PM hour traffic and thus reduces the development’s impact on congestion. Car dependency is further reduced by the increasing walkability of the Perimeter Center and the proximity to the Dunwoody MARTA station, which would provide future residents with convenient commute alternatives.

The current economic conditions, which began during the global COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly reduced the need for new office development and as demonstrated in the Edge City 2.0 study, the need for residential development is very strong, especially near MARTA. Overall, development of Building 4 under the current entitlements, as an office building, is not feasible and the proposed mix of uses would be a benefit to the Park Center campus and the surrounding area.

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday May 8, 2017

Monday, May 8, 2017
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346
Watch Live at 6:00 p.m.

Agenda

Recognition of Dunwoody High School Robotics Team.

YTD Financial Report for March 31, 2017.

Presentation of 1st Quarter Internal Audit Report.

PCIDs Commuter Trails System.

FIRST READ: Chapter 27, Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment re: Chickens.

Approval of a Resolution in Support of a Request for Federal Funding for the Chamblee Dunwoody Road Multimodal Improvement Project (Peeler Road to Vermack Road).

Funding Authorization for the North Peachtree Way Culvert Replacement Project.

Approval of Unit Price Contracts for Construction Materials Testing, Environmental andGeotechnical Engineering and Testing Services.

Authorization to Approve Expenditure of $371,054 to Travelers Property & CasualtyInsurance.

FIRST READ: Ordinance Granting DeKalb County School District a Permanent Drainage Easement.

Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Dunwoody and DeKalb County Board of Education.

FIRST READ: Ordinance Amending Chapter 4 of the City of Dunwoody Code of Ordinances to Authorize BYOB for Certain Retail Establishments and Creating a Limited On-Premises Consumption Alcohol License for Certain Businesses Authorizing Same.

FIRST READ: Ordinance Granting an Amended Underground Connector and Slip Lane Easement to Atlanta Office Investment. Phase I & II

FIRST READ: Ordinance Granting a Hardscape Easement Agreement to Atlanta Office Investment Phase I, L.L.C.

State Farm announces 1,500 jobs coming to Dunwoody, GA @StateFarm

Video

https://www.statefarm.com/careers

Georgia's largest home and auto insurer is on a hiring binge, and raising wage as well.

Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland broke the news on Twitter Thursday morning that State Farm would add 1,500 more employees to its Atlanta operations by year's end.

The company's starting minimum wage is climbing from near $13 per hour to $15.50.

Ryan Lewis told Strickland that he got a raise his second day on the job.

"Anytime someone says, 'You’re going to get this,' and then says, 'Oh, by the way, we're going to give you more,' that's a great feeling," he said.

The wage adjustment is hoped to better attract that new crop of workers.

"We're looking for jobs in our customer contact centers. So we're looking for people that are experienced in customer service, sales, maybe have some retail background," said recruiter Alana O'Neal.

Atlanta is one of three State Farm regional hubs. The company, now spread out in nine buildings, will centralize in a new 1.5 million square-foot tower near Perimeter Mall.

"Our presence in Atlanta will be about 8,000 (employees) when this is done, most of whom will be based here," said State Farm spokesman Justin Tomczak.

The company stresses more than half of those new workers will qualify to start above the new $15.50 minimum.

State Farm is taking applications for those new jobs on their website.

Dunwoody City Council agenda for Monday August 24th

Monday, August 24, 2015
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Special Called 4 pm Meeting on Comp Plan

6 pm Agenda - Watch Live at 6:00 p.m.

Approval of a Contract for Structural Repairs to the Donaldson Bannister House

Approval of a Unit Price Contract for Shotcrete Pipe Lining

Funding Authorization for Pipe Replacement on Buckline Crossing

Approval of Disposition of Excess Property.

SECOND READ: Amendment to Chapter 26 re: Special Event Permit Fee Exceptions.

Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem to fill unexpired 2-year term. (Term expires: 12/31/15. New 2 year appointment in January 2016)

Convention & Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody Adjusted FY-2015 Budget

Approval of a Contract Extension to Complete Design of the Georgetown Gateway Project

Resolution in Support of a Grant Application for the Westside Connector

Request from Dunwoody Preservation Trust for Signature Event Designation for Apple CiderDays.

SECOND READ: RZ 15-071: Pursuant to the City of Dunwoody Zoning Ordinance, applicant,Acadia Homes & Neighborhoods c/o Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP on behalf of CR VPerimeter LLC, seeks permission to rezone property currently zoned Office-Institution (O-I)District to Multi-dwelling Residential-85 (RM-85) District located at 54 Perimeter Center East, Dunwoody, GA 30346, tax parcel ID 18-347-01-008; and to rezone property currently zoned Single-dwelling Residential-100 (R-100) District to Multi-dwelling Residential-85 (RM-85) District located at 4340, 4348, 4356, 4364, 4372, 4380 and 4388 Old Georgetown Trail, Dunwoody, GA 30338, tax parcel IDs 18-346-05-052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058, to allow for construction of an 87-unit, fee simple townhome development.

CP 15-071: Pursuant to the City of Dunwoody Zoning Ordinance, applicant, Acadia Homes &Neighborhoods c/o Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP on behalf of CR V Perimeter LLC, seeksan amendment to the City of Dunwoody Comprehensive Land Use Plan to modifyclassifications, to allow for construction of an 87-unit, fee simple townhome development. The subject property is located at 54 Perimeter Center East, Dunwoody, GA 30346, tax parcel ID 18-347-01-008; and 4340, 4348, 4356, 4364, 4372, 4380 and 4388 Old Georgetown Trail, tax parcel IDs 18-346-05-052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058.

Approval of Development Agreement between the City of Dunwoody and Atlanta OfficeInvestment, LLC, c/o KDC AH Investments One, LP for Property Located at 245 PerimeterCenter Parkway, Dunwoody, GA 30346. The Tax Parcel is 18-329-04-003.

SECOND READ: RZ 15-072: Pursuant to the City of Dunwoody Zoning Ordinance, applicantAtlanta Office Investment, LLC, c/o KDC AH Investments One, LP, seeks permission torezone property currently zoned Office-Institution (O-I) District to Planned Development (PD)
to allow for construction of a mixed-use commercial/retail/restaurant PD development. The subject property is located at 245 Perimeter Center Parkway, Dunwoody, GA 30346. The tax parcel is 18-329-04-003.

Discussion of the Mount Vernon Road Crosswalk Improvement

Dunwoody agenda for Monday - Cad2cad, Dr. Mack Hannah, @DunwoodyXC, 1300 open record requests, Eminent Domain, Building Code, Paving Plan, Naming Parks and new City Manager

Monday, December 8, 2014
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Watch Live at 6:00 p.m. - Work Session
Watch Live at 7:00 p.m. - Voting Meeting

6 pm Agenda

Update on the CAD-to-CAD Interface Project (L.R. Kimball) Disappointing

Update from Facility Usage Partner - Dunwoody Nature Center.

7 pm Agenda

Proclamation Recognizing Dr. Mack Hannah, Senior Pastor, Dunwoody Baptist Church.

Proclamation Recognizing the Dunwoody High School Girls Cross Country State Champions.

Recognition of Officer Tim Brown for Earning his BA in Business Administration from DeVry University.

Resolution Appointing Member to Convention & Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody.

Resolution Appointing Members to Design Review Advisory Committee.

Resolution Appointing Members to Development Authority.

Resolution Appointing Members to Planning Commission.

Resolution Appointing Members to Sustainability Committee.

Approval of Contract Amendment with JAT Consulting Services - 1,300 open record requests?

Approval of a Contract Amendment with Lowe Engineers.

Approval of a Contract Amendment with InterDev.

Approval of Contract Amendment with Gresham Smith Partners for Tilly Mill at North Peachtree Intersection Project.

SECOND READ: Ordinance Granting an Underground Easement Agreement for Atlanta Office Investment (KDC).

SECOND READ: Ordinance Granting an Aerial Easement Agreement for Atlanta Office Investment (KDC).

 Resolution Authorizing the Use of Eminent Domain on Property at 4962 Tilly Mill Road.

Award of Construction Contract for Mount Vernon Road Water and Road Improvements.

SECOND READ: Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 8, Buildings and Building Regulations.

Resolution to Appoint a City Manager. Supporting docs missing from packet; requested resolution, contract and background documents supporting nomination.

Discussion of 2015 Paving Plan / updated 5 year / 2013 laser truck analysis of streets.

Discussion of Contract for PCIDs Crosswalk Repairs.

Presentation of Comprehensive Plan Update Kick-Off by Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

Resolution of Support for the North Extension of MARTA - Westside 400.

Approval of Disposition of Excess Property - old police cars.

Discussion of Appointment of Sounding Board Members for Comprehensive Plan Five Year Update

Discussion of Methodology for Naming City Parks. (nothing after people - dead a few years - or only rare hero's honor?)

Dunwoody City Council agenda for Monday Nov 10, 2014

Monday, November 10, 2014
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Watch Live at 6:00 p.m. - Work Session
Watch Live at 7:00 p.m. - Voting Meeting

6 pm Agenda

Update on the CAD-to-CAD Interface Project.

3rd Quarter Internal Audit Report.

Review of Financial Report YTD through September 30, 2014.

Discussion of a Contract Amendment with Optech for Parks and Right of Way Maintenance.

Update on Water Pipe Replacement on Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Mount Vernon Road.

Discussion of Updated Service Delivery Strategy.
7 pm Agenda

Update on PCIDs Commuter Trails Project

Contract Award for ITB 14-09 Dunwoody Nature Center Front Entrance Renovation.

Approval of Comprehensive Plan 5 Year Update Contract Award.

FIRST READ: Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 8, Buildings and Building Regulations .

FIRST READ: Ordinance Granting an Underground Easement Agreement for Atlanta OfficeInvestment (KDC). 

FIRST READ: Ordinance Granting an Aerial Easement Agreement for Atlanta OfficeInvestment (KDC).

Brook Run Dog Park Update and Approval.

Resolution of Support - Updated Service Delivery Strategy Agreement. 

Discussion of Appointments to Board of Ethics.
Discussion of Appointments to Board of Zoning Appeals. 
Discussion of Appointments to Community Council.
Discussion of Appointment to Convention & Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody. 
Discussion of Appointments to Design Review Advisory Committee. 
Discussion of Appointments to Development Authority.
Discussion of Appointments to Planning Commission.
Discussion of Appointments to Sustainability Committee.

Dunwoody City Council agenda for Monday Oct 27, 2014

Monday, October 27, 2014
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Watch Live at 6:00 p.m. - Work Session
Watch Live at 7:00 p.m. - Voting Meeting

6 pm Agenda

Discussion of Proposed CVBD Fiscal Year 2015 Budget.

Discussion of Six Month Review for City Code Chapters 16, Land Development, and Chapter27, Zoning. 

This week I received this letter asking for a community living arrangement  from a resident and requested staffs review as well as a possible amendment to what is being proposed if appropriate.  Another resident presented a legal challenge to the possible change to section 16-190 Appeals whereby an appeal of the Community Development Director's decision could possibly go to the Zoning Board of Appeals instead of the City Council for the Appellate review and I forwarded that issue to our City Attorney for his legal review & opinion. Based on the various communications I received on this issue I am guessing this will be one of the highlights of Monday's meeting.  No matter what the City Council suggests when it is finally voted upon, the issue will be up for discussion with the various city boards (full cycle) weighing in before it being returned in 90 days for a final decision by the City Council.  Though I have spoken on this previously, I will hold further comments until Monday.

Discussion of Contract Amendment with Optech for Parks and Right of Way Maintenance.

Discussion of Contract Award for ITB 14-09 Dunwoody Nature Center Front Entrance Renovation.

7 pm Agenda

Presentation of Citizen Commendation to Brandon Adkins.

Introduction of Municipal Court Clerk, Christie Tabor.

Recognition of Kimberly Greer for Attaining Project Management Professional Certification

Resolution Appointing Members of Sounding Board for Perimeter Center Zoning Project.

Adoption of Proposed 2015 City Council Meeting Schedule and 2015 Community DevelopmentMeeting Schedules.

Approval of Agreement with Georgia DOT for Year 3 of Perimeter Traffic Operations.

Approval of Agreement with ConnectSouth for State Legislative Support.

Resolution Adopting 2015 State Legislative Priorities.

SECOND READ: Ordinance to Amend and Discussion of Amendment of the Dunwoody Purchasing Policy.

SECOND READ: Discussion of Amendments to Chapter 16, Specifically Section 16-67 Related to Grading.

Resolution - Appointment of Member to Dunwoody Volunteer Coordinating Committee.

Resolution to Amend the 2014 Operating and Capital Budgets.

Adoption of Proposed CVBD 2015 Budget.

Resolution Adopting the 2015 Annual Operating and Capital Budgets.

Approval of Waiver Request for Public Improvements at Chic-Fil-A 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road.

Approval of the Second Amendment to the Development Agreement with JWC Loden.

Discussion of Comprehensive Plan 5 Year Update Contract Award.

Discussion of Underground and Aerial Easements Agreements for Atlanta Office Investment (KDC - State Farm)

Gov. Nathan Deal speaks at State Farm groundbreaking ceremony in Dunwoody and announces commitment to fully fund improvements to the I-285/Ga. 400 interchange.

Video

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced a state commitment to fully fund improvements to the I-285/Ga. 400 interchange, a project of statewide significance. Deal and Georgia Department of Transportation board members approved the sale of $130 million in previously authorized bonds and the use of $81.5 million in accrued state motor fuel funds to accelerate the process of reconstructing the I-285/Ga. 400 interchange.

“We are currently utilizing all the tools that the state has available — accrued motor fuel revenues, authorized bonds, Georgia’s AAA bond rating and an improving schedule of debt payments — to facilitate major transportation projects,” said Deal. “This interchange is one of the most congested intersections in the United States, and the time has come to bring much needed relief to commuters and area businesses. Improvements to the interchange will provide important economic and quality of life benefits and will expand Georgia’s role as a major logistics hub for global commerce.

More ...

State Farm and KDC groundbreaking ceremony in Dunwoody, GA

KDC today held a groundbreaking ceremony at Park Center, its new 17-acre master-planned project in the Perimeter Center area of Dunwoody, Georgia. State Farm will lease 585,000 square feet in the development’s first office building.

“We are honored that State Farm entrusted KDC to develop another office campus for its highly valued work force,” said Steve Van Amburgh, chief executive officer, KDC. “We plan to create an environment that offers employees direct access to residential, shopping and dining, in a pedestrian-friendly environment.” Renderings of the building design can be viewed here.  The first office building at Park Center, to be leased by State Farm, consists of a 13-story building situated on a seven-level parking structure with ground floor retail space. The Class A building is located on a nearly 4-acre site at Hammond Drive and Perimeter Center Parkway, adjacent to the Dunwoody MARTA station.

“We are pleased to be part of this collaborative project as we expand to a multi-functional facility in metro Atlanta,” said Mary Crego, senior vice president, State Farm. “This is one of many changes to position State Farm to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”  The new Park Center facility will serve as part of the Atlanta hub, housing employees who will work collectively across several functions to serve customers. These functions will be staffed by a combination of new hires and existing employees. State Farm currently employs approximately 5500 people in the metro Atlanta area. In the coming years, State Farm will have approximately 8,000 employees in the metro Atlanta area.

“State Farm’s decision to expand its presence here is a testament to our state’s competitive business environment,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “One of the leading insurance providers in the nation, State Farm will benefit from Georgia’s pro-business infrastructure, and our highly skilled workforce will help the company continue to provide the highest levels of customer service to policyholders. I welcome State Farm’s expansion in Metro Atlanta and thank them for bringing thousands of additional good jobs to Georgia.”

“The KDC project and State Farm’s entry into the City of Dunwoody are game-changers for the entire north metro Atlanta region,” said Dunwoody Mayor Michael Davis. “This high quality development strengthens Dunwoody and the central Perimeter area as Atlanta’s largest office market. I’m confident State Farm will find Dunwoody’s location, amenities and proximity to superior transportation resources valuable as it seeks qualified employees from throughout the region.”

The office tower is slated for late 2016 occupancy. KDC plans to achieve LEED® Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is an internationally recognized green building  certification system, providing third-party verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving overall performance and sustainability.

“This is an exciting day for KDC, as we officially break ground on the much anticipated transit-oriented development and new home for State Farm,” said Larry Wilson, KDC. “Our focus is on creating an attractive, walkable community in which employees and residents are connected to daytime and nighttime activities, with easy access to MARTA. We plan to create a true sense of place that promotes an active and thriving environment.”

In February 2014, KDC announced plans to develop a transit-oriented development in Dunwoody and State Farm’s intention to lease 585,000 square feet in the first office building.  The first phase of KDC’s development will include the 585,000 square feet of State Farm office space, 17,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, and a 175-room hotel. At full build out, the transit-oriented development will include 2.2 million square feet of office space, 100,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and entertainment, and a 175-room select service hotel. Cooper Carry & Associates is the shell building and interiors architect. Holder Construction Company is the general contractor for the project.

State Farm Parks Master Plan

Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis presents the State of the City with keynote by Julie Bolton of State Farm on their future operations.

State of the City Address

Julie Bolton of State Farm Keynote

The quality of the sound is lacking but turn up the volume and it is understandable.

Dunwoody's State of the City Event is open to the public on Thursday with a 6 pm reception at Crowne Plaza Ravinia

Thursday, March 6, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Ravinia
4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road

The City of Dunwoody, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody, and the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce the fifth annual State of the City event!

The State of the City is the premier city sponsored event showcasing our accomplishments from 2013 and provides a look ahead into the future of Dunwoody. This year we also celebrate a milestone birthday, our 5th year as a city!

We invite you to come celebrate with us, and not only wish a happy birthday, but another successful year in the City of Dunwoody. The State of the City is being held at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road and begins with a public reception at 6 p.m.

Massive development is coming to Perimeter - State Farm @ Dunwoody Marta Station

Video

A massive mixed use development is coming to Dunwoody that will affect just about every resident in the city and those who travel through it.  KDC Real Estate Development and Investments, based in Texas, is behind the 2.2 million square feet project.

It will be built on a 17-acre site outside the Perimeter and will include retail, corporate offices, restaurants, entertainment and a 200 room hotel. The first building will be constructed at Hammond Drive and Perimeter Center Parkway in the old Fuddruckers and Chequers parking lots.
The building will even be connected to the Dunwoody Marta Station. State Farm Insurance will lease 585 thousand square feet of office space.

Justin Tomczack with State Farm, says it will offer a convenience factor to employees like never before. "So folks coming to work at the State Farm campus will be able to ride Marta right in to where they work so, that's a very exciting concept!" said Tomczack.
And with an expansion of that size, State Farm says it will add more than 3,000 new jobs in coming months and years.

The Mayor of Dunwoody, Mike Davis says this is a game changer for the city and surrounding Metro Atlanta. "It's huge for Dunwoody, it's really the opportunity of a generation. And not just in Dunwoody or Sandy Springs, but in the entire Metro area."

However with this new development, will come construction, that is sure to linger for several years.
That means traffic will be thick in an already congested area.  Other businesses in the neighborhood are already voicing some concern about how the traffic and construction will affect their operations. Dunwoody's Director of Economic Development Michael Starling has been fielding some of those concerns.

"Sure, we've had some companies talk to us about that, but I think we've been able to alleviate those concerns from them. Obviously a large construction project like this will impact at times, traffic, but we will have plans in place to take care of that," says Starling.
Construction is set to get underway this summer.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/24825789/17-acre-development-coming-to-dunwoody#axzz2uZrU2Qw8

State Farm has numerous jobs available in Dunwoody

Trust me when I tell you that State Farm job opportunities in Dunwoody will be numerous in coming years and if you want to get in on the ground floor of explosive growth, start looking now.  All of the positions below are in Dunwoody and several of them are for more than one position, for example the "User Experience Researcher" has 11 positions to fill.

http://www.statefarm.com/careers/index_emp.asp

State Farm buys more land across from the Dunwoody Marta Station, picks developer for large scale campus.

 

 Soon to be the largest employee in Dunwoody?

Job Announcements - many more to follow.

State Farm Insurance Co. continues assembling land along the Atlanta Perimeter for its future campus.

This time the insurance giant purchased about 3.9 acres along Perimeter Center Parkway just south of the Dunwoody MARTA transit station. The site was once part of the big Perimeter office and land portfolio that Barry Real Estate and Rubenstein acquired in 2007. The site includes the Chequers Seafood Grill and a former Fuddruckers.

State Farm paid $32 million, or $189 per land square foot, according to Databank Inc., an Atlanta research firm. It’s a price more commonly paid for intown development sites in Buckhead or Midtown, said Databank founder Alan Wexler.

State Farm now controls land at the intersection of Perimeter Center Parkway and Hammond Drive, where it will develop its project. Earlier this year it bought the 10-story Hammond Exchange building and 13 acres of undeveloped land.

The company has chosen to work with KDC Real Estate Development and Investments.

More at the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is here in Dunwoody.

500 new jobs to Dunwoody.

Gov. Nathan Deal announced that the state’s largest insurance company, State Farm Insurance, is bringing 500 new jobs to Dunwoody. The new jobs will be located at the recently leased Atlanta Perimeter Operations Center located at 64 Perimeter Center East near Perimeter Mall.

“State Farm’s decision to locate their new facility here makes a compelling statement about our state’s competitive business environment,” said Deal. “In Georgia, State Farm will find a progressive business infrastructure, along with a highly skilled workforce, that will allow for continued success when it comes to providing the highest levels of customer service to their policyholders.”

The office is expected to open for business later this year. While some existing State Farm employees will work at the new facility – it will be staffed by predominantly new hires. The new facility will help the company provide sales, service and claims capabilities to better serve their customers.

State Farm Senior Vice President Tim McFadden said, “This expansion is just another way State Farm continues to adjust to meet the changing needs and preferences of our customers. We will continue to make business decisions focused on how we can best serve our customers.”

I am a big fan of State Farm insurance and have been a personal customer since 1983 when I signed on to have just liability coverage on the 1971 Buick Skylark that I bought for $500 dollars.   A few years later, my brother was in a major car accident and State Farm paid off everything without much hassle therefore based on that one claim, I am probably a customer for life.  My current agent is John Lester in Dunwoody Village and looking back I think my current payment for insurance on my home and two cars is about the same as I paid for just liability coverage on a 16 year old male driver in 1983?

PS: Can I get a Hot Tub ??

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