What are your impressions, thoughts, concerns or suggestions regarding the proposed site plan and uses submitted by North American Properties for the Avalon Development at the northwest corner of GA-400 and Old Milton Parkway?

I feel that this proposal is wrong for Alpharetta. Let me tell you why.

I am very disappointed. It looks like typical suburban sprawl all over again. My first reaction is that it looks like a giant parking lot. It certainly doesn't look very pedestrian friendly and there is only a tiny amount of green space.

With the amount of paved space shown I get the impression it will look like the Target/Kohls complex north of Alpharetta on Hwy 9. That is certainly not at all pedestrian friendly.

Two more traffic lights on Old Milton? Really?

I would like to see:
more green space
less parking lot (put in a deck)
accomodation for bicycle traffic on Webb Bridge Road, Westside Parkway, and inside the complex
a pleasant place to walk between all the various businesses
sidewalk cafes
outdoor dining

Who wants to sit outside in the middle of a parking lot!

Terrible. Turn this space into a destination not just another parking lot!

Bob Falkenberg

This is okay for a starting point, but there are some big changes that need to be made before I can support it.

This is just another outdoor mall with some office and residential similar to that near Perimeter Mall. Very little green space and a horrendous eyesore for nearby neighborhoods. Needs to be redesigned to emphasize green space, put parking underground, several walking green streets and pedestrian/bike pathways and some real creativity.

Also it is only a short walk from the new downtown Alpharetta area and should be made easily accessible by some of the back streets that need redevelopment and tied into a comprehensive plan to make Alpharetta a warm, green inviting area so that people can walk from Wills Park, to downtown to this entire district easily, comfortably and surrounded by a park like setting without being trapped by major roadways.

I like the plan as presented and believe it will be a great addition to the community.

I live in the neighborhood directly behind this development and I cannot wait for this to be built. Nothing but good can come from it. The apartments proposed sound like they will be very high-end and will not become "slums" as I have heard other people say. These apartments will improve the quality of the area because they will bring in professionals looking for a city-feel without city living.

We bought our house when the site was still planned to be Prospect Park and this was a major factor in relocating to Alpharetta from in-town living. We chose to move out of the city because this was going to fulfill what we wanted out of city life but we'd have the perks and pleasures of living in a great town like Alpharetta. My husband and I are both educated young professionals that would have overlooked the opportunities of Alpharetta had we not been promised Prospect Park.

Now that Avalon is coming in, we are thrilled to finally get the lifestyle we were hoping for. Shopping, dining, and entertainment that are worth staying in Alpharetta on a weekend night instead of heading to Atlanta, Vinings, or even Roswell.

This an opportunity and we as a city need to take it. I love living in Alpharetta and I want others to see how great it is to be here.

I like the plan as presented and believe it will be a great addition to the community.

Will provide something that Alpharetta does not have, but should. Pedestrian based shopping/dining/living experience. I feel that the concern over rental units is unnecessary. Alpharetta living options do not currently serve the young single professional well. I feel that these rental units as described would do so.

This is okay for a starting point, but there are some big changes that need to be made before I can support it.

1. Eliminate all apartments, anything multi-family or any housing that is ‘for rent’.
2. Re-work the massive parking lots to include better planning of that space.
The current parking layout is lazy and highly unattractive.
3. Lower the 14-story building
4. Ask yourself…do we really NEED huge amounts of additional retail space? What will happen to the already large amount of existing vacant retail all over Alpharetta?
5. Eliminate overlap of the Downtown development & the new site. Will both spaces try to accomplish the same thing? Will they be forced to ‘compete’ with each other? If they do, that means one of the spaces will have to ‘win’ and one will be forced to ‘lose’. How can they both succeed?
6. Eliminate the movie theatre.
7. Make it pretty. Make it have a ‘village’ type feel. Make it upscale. All the things we hope Alpharetta can be.

I feel that this proposal is wrong for Alpharetta. Let me tell you why.

There is a significance to a corner in architecture. Please make sure the corner of Old Milton Parkway and GA 400 is a visual delight for anyone driving on GA 400. Putting a parking structure there will not attract many to leave the highway. I am missing a 3d rendering of this development and the requirements from the developer in order to “maybe” understand what this architect was thinking.

I like the plan as presented and believe it will be a great addition to the community.

I moved to DT Alpharetta almost five years ago in hopes of living in a "live, work, play" environment. At the time, the City of Alpharetta was planning a revitalization of the historic district. After several failed attempts that is finally happening, hooray! I was equally excited when once upon a time, Prospect Park was on the map, but it also failed only to be reawakened by North American Properties as Avalon. I live in a community where several townhomes have been rented out because the original homeowners were transferred and did not want to give away their home in this downturned economy. They are holding onto their investment for better times. These townhomes are commanding high rental fees because of the location. Recently, I've also become aware of some of the rent amounts in the surrounding apartment communities. They, too, are commanding high rental fees. There are folks out there who are willing to and can pay rents that are sometimes higher than a mortgage would be if they bought due to low interest rates. In my heart, I don't feel that the apartment homes over the retail will ever become "low rent" homes. The higher than average income of the people who live and work in Alpharetta supports that feeling.

The bottom line is that I am in favor of Avalon moving forward even with the planned apartments. It is my suspicion that most of the Alpharetta residents who live in the immediate surrounding communities moved to this location because they want to live in an area where they can walk to restaurants and entertainment. North American Properties has put forth beautiful images of what Avalon could be, which will be different from any other retail/office development in the Greater Atlanta area. Citizens, don't turn away the mega-investment North American Properties is willing to make in Alpharetta. It's time for the renewal of Alpharetta!

I like the plan as presented and believe it will be a great addition to the community.

I think it's great! This will be a fantastic addition to Alpharetta and North Fulton.

I like the plan as presented and believe it will be a great addition to the community.

I currently operate a store in Alpharetta. I think the plan to build Avalon would be a tremendous addition to the area with retail shopping, office space, and rental units as presented. I think the area needs every one of those aspects to create a new vision of living. I know that the concept will be embraced as an enhanced quality way of life. I would like to see a Trader Joes. I would most certainly live there. Just build it!

I like the plan as presented and believe it will be a great addition to the community.

We need more shopping in north Fulton.
Suggested stores- trader Joes, Whole Foods, Luna, specialty boutique stores, new non chain restaurants including breakfast. Alons
And a fun bar / restaurant from Concentric restaurant group would be great. Other ideas are a wine bar, cooking school or high end
Bowling alley.

N Futon needs more high end recreation options