Question: Why are we not paving Vermack in front of Dunwoody High School?

Bad street, why not now?

I get lots of questions and answers flowing through my inbox and I think I need to do a better job in sharing these tidbits of information from time to time. Here is an example:

Question directed to me: "Please bring up the need to finish paving vermack rd. from village mill to mt. vernon... why they stopped paving is any ones guess....that section passes by dunwoody high school and is an embarressment to our city. appreciate your help in this matter....."

Knowing that this stretch is on the 2015 list, I reach out to Public Works Director Michael Smith for further insight as to possible specifics.

Response from Mr. Smith: "The remaining portion of Vermack up to Mount Vernon is planned for 2015. Between now and then we have a storm water repair project on the north side of Womack that will require excavating part of Vermack. We also are working on the design for the Mount Vernon intersection that will affect where we stop the paving to avoid overlapping with that project."

The fact is that many water and sewer pipes below our streets need to be replaced and the City Public Works Department coordinates their own schedule and works with DeKalb Water in order to schedule repaving immediately after the under street construction is completed. We have received DeKalb's list of sewer work and we have set our paving schedule accordingly. That is the reason that it may appear that we are not paving the important streets but in fact we are juggling a complex schedule where it takes cooperation from various governments to work together. It doesn't make sense to move up our paving schedule on some of the bad streets because we have already set the schedule with DeKalb and do not want to pave a street twice.

I know this is the reason that the intersection of Chamblee Dunwoody & Mount Vernon has not yet been done, so please have some patience as this intersection is scheduled for 2014 (as soon as DeKalb water is completed with their project).

PS: Council has been assured that the pothole crew's will be out in force once the temperatures warm up and the hot-mix supplies are available from the supplier.

Dads' Bucket List Checklist Challenge - Saturday - Moms please kick Dad and kids out of the house to join us.

Are you up for the Challenge? The Heneghan Boys are in.

There's only one day until the inaugural Checklist Challenge takes place on March 1st and the staff at Dads' Bucket List want to answer some common questions we've received.  On line registration closes tonight but registration is available Saturday in person for $10.00 more.

1. Start Times - We are allowing registrants to show up any time during the day (event runs from 9am-4pm).  This should allow participants to minimize any schedule conflicts.  For planning purposes, we anticipate that peak attendance will be from late morning to early afternoon.  To minimize waits, each obstacle is designed to handle at least two teams (each team = you + your kids) at a time.
2. Time at Event - We expect most people to spend about two hours at the event, but you're welcome to stick around as long as you'd like.
3. Location - Cagle's Family Farm, 355 Stringer Rd., Canton, GA 30115 (Click for directions). Please follow Stringer Road until you see Cagle's Parking entry sign.
4. Attire - Wear something comfortable and appropriate for being outdoors (think jeans and sneakers). We don't anticipate you'll get too dirty, but we don't recommend wearing your finest formal wear.  Event will take place rain or shine so please check forecast.
5. Food - We will provide each team with a beverage and popcorn token.  The concession stand will be open if you would like to purchase additional food and drinks.
6. Questions - Please e-mail us at events@dadsbucketlist.com with other event questions.  If you need to reach us on event day, you can contact the event organizer, Matt Boettcher at 678-641-6942 (Can you say, "White. Glove. Service."?)

The obstacle names shown in the header above may be a little cryptic to figure out, but that's the point. When you show up with your kids we want you to be surprised with the different challenges you'll be able to attempt (and, of course, we don't want you pros practicing in the days leading up to it).

This event is an opportunity to connect with your kids through an undeniably unique shared experience.  It's also a chance to connect with other fathers outside of the workplace.  And if that's not enough, it's also a great excuse to give mom some time off. For those keeping score, that's 3 birds, 1 stone.  Sound like good enough reason to get some friends to join you?  Please send them to these links below. 

Registration: Click Here
Event information:  Click Here

Video

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

Video of Dunwoody City Council meetings of Feb 24, 2014

6 pm Work Session Video

7 pm Voting Meeting

FYI: uploading over 3 hours of video to YouTube takes some time but I personally like the results plus I do not have the issue of older videos being deleted from the system over time because of the quota limits on the last service I was using. 

North Atlanta Church of Christ in Dunwoody hosts free festivial for all ages - Sat, March 8, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m

More Information

North Atlanta Church of Christ and the North Atlanta Preschool will host a Community Showcase & Festivities on Saturday, March 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. where they will have a "craft fair" type area featuring vendors from the Dunwoody area, locally based food trucks and restaurants, and King of Pops. They will also have activities for children: a petting zoo, bounce houses, pony rides, face painting, games, etc.

There is no entry fee for the event, but the petting zoo and pony rides will cost $5, and food trucks and vendors will set their own prices.

The address is 5676 Roberts Dr, Dunwoody.

If you'd like more information, please email melissa.deegan@nacofc.org or call 770-399-6333.

Phase II of Dunwoody Trail in Brook Run Park is now underway.

 

Concrete poured just last week.

Memo for December Contract Approval

Brook Run Trail Phase II Bid

Brook Run Trail Phase II Plans (Large File - 28 MB)

Phase III crossing creek at back of Brook Run to join new park will be coming next year?