Politics & Government

Residents say Brandon Mill is Hazardous, ‘A Street Crying out for a Sidewalk’

Brandon Hill neighbors estimate the cost of one mile of needed sidewalks could cost up to $1.5 million. They want the sidewalks included in Sandy Springs' 2014 budget, which will be decided on within the next few months.

 

Faunsworth Drive resident, Dan Berger, says residents within seven neighborhoods in the Brandon Mill Road area walk their dogs and let their children play about, but they don’t venture onto Brandon Mill because it's too risky.

“This is a street that is crying out for a sidewalk,” he said. “People are afraid to let their children go on Brandon Mill. People drive too fast.”

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Berger was among a group of residents in the Brandon Mill Road neighborhood that addressed Mayor Eva Galambos and City Council members, Tuesday, to make their case for sidewalks.

Brandon Hill neighbors estimate the cost of one mile of needed sidewalks could cost up to $1.5 million. They want the sidewalks included in Sandy Springs’ 2014 budget, which will be decided on within the next few months.

Find out what's happening in Sandy Springsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Chad Plumly represents WalkingBrandonMill.org. He told Council members that most of the 4,000 residents living in 1,900 area homes want sidewalks for connectivity between Lost Corners Preserve and Abernathy Linear Park. They lie on the north and south end of Brandon Mill Road.

“You can’t walk from where I live to either park,” Plumly said. “You have to drive.”

According to Plumly, Fulton County intended to install sidewalks 50 years ago, and the grading and gravel is in place already.

Resident Kevin Farmer believes sidewalks would result in slower traffic on a currently busy street, and attract people, who live outside of the neighborhood, to the two parks.

“When you put sidewalks next to a street, people slow down,” he said. “If you build [sidewalks] people will come. You’ve already built two parks.”

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See also: Lost Corner: Another Sandy Springs Gem Thanks to Late Property Owner

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