Heritage Sandy Springs plans to update facilities around the springs that gave the city its name and served as the source for drinking water for early residents.
Decades ago, the area around the springs faced commercial development. It was saved from that fate, but the condition of the springs was left in an unappealing state. Now, Heritage Sandy Springs is raising money to make the site something that residents can enjoy.
Carol Thompson, who is spearheading the project, said it will be a significant step in marking the area’s history and future. “We are doing this to better tell the story of why it matters,” she said. “It is pretty much the reason we are here.”
For centuries, Native Americans used the springs, and early settlers to the area also drew their drinking water there.
The springs are at the center of a park that receives regular use. “We feel like the park has been the heart of Sandy Springs for 30 years,” she said.
The city itself is developing a city center only a few blocks from the park, and Thompson expects the two projects to work together to bring a sense of community to the area.
A big step will be paying for the project, which is expected to cost about $500,000. Heritage Sandy Springs already has raised and spent about $100,000 in what Thompson called seed money. That went to consulting and architecture fees, including for Georgia Tech professor Lane Duncan to design the building that will shelter the springs.
The building itself will not be a complex build, she said. But there will be ground engineering and sidewalks, along with other enhancements.
The group is hoping to raise all the money before breaking ground, but Thompson said that is not assured. The money will come from private donors and foundations along with some possible corporate contributions.
Construction is scheduled for November through March. “We are just very excited about this project,” she said. “We want visitors to be able to feel, hear and see the water.”
