The walkable blocks around Alpharetta City Center are unrecognizable from a decade ago, but that doesn’t mean changes are frictionless in the heart of the upscale North Fulton County ’burb. 

As Appen Media relays, some Alpharettans are raising a stink over plans to wipe out a strip mall and surface parking at one of the city’s busiest intersections, a corner site about two blocks south of the main communal green at Alpharetta City Center. 

Naysayers assert that a planned, denser mixed-use venture called Alpharetta District Places could spell excessive traffic, business displacement, additional noise, and even dangerous conditions for pedestrians. 

“The sheer size of [the proposal] will ramp up the noise level considerably,” one longtime nearby resident told the newspaper. “I’m not just talking about random restaurant music, but… there could be 4 a.m. grease trap cleanouts and 5 a.m. dumpster pickups.” Another patron of the shopping center said Alpharetta’s skyrocketing property values could bar existing businesses—they include DaVinci’s Donuts, Crust Pasta and Pizzeria, Borrelli’s Salon, plus a spa and fitness studio—from returning.  

The strip mall along South Main Street in Alpharetta, as seen in summer 2024. Google Maps

Proximity of the intersections in question (in red) to Alpharetta City Center (at top), a walkable downtown revival. Google Maps

Conceived as a sort of new Main Street gateway to downtown, with architecture inspired by vintage brick-built town centers, Alpharetta District Places would reportedly rise up to four stories across 3 acres bounded by Marietta Street, South Main Street, and Old Milton Parkway. 

Tentative plans by developer AEC call for 120 for-sale condos and 30,000 square feet of retail at street level, along with large outdoor amenity spaces and possibly 25,000 square feet of offices. (Find tentative renderings for the proposal over here.)

AEC’s previous work includes site design and engineering for the nearby, 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, TopGolf Alpharetta, and Camden Village in Johns Creek

Approximation of the shopping center property in question, just south of downtown Alpharetta. Google Maps

Parking and shops at the corner in question today. Google Maps

In an application, an AEC development official states the infill project would improve downtown walkability, connectivity, and vibrancy in smart, urban-style ways, within walking distance of City Center and Alpharetta’s multi-use trail Alpha Loop. 

Denying the project’s requests would be both illegal and unconstitutional, the application states, per the newspaper.

As a next step, the Alpharetta City Council is scheduled to consider variances, a conditional use permit, and a rezoning request for Alpharetta District Places at its next meeting Monday. 

...

Follow us on social media: 

Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram  

• Now 10 years old, is Avalon metro Atlanta's best big development? (Urbanize ATL)