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Simpsonwood Master Plan, Parkway Medians & the Road Ahead, with City Manager Brian Johnson
City Manager Brian Johnson joins host Rico Figliolini on Peachtree Corners Life for a practical update on projects shaping the city’s next few years. He walks through the newly developed Simpsonwood Park master plan—designed to keep the park passive and natural while adding ADA-friendly access, renovated bathrooms, an updated chapel, selective forestry management, and a modest river overlook. Johnson also explains why the city is outsourcing maintenance of the Peachtree Parkway median so residents finally see consistent, five-day-a-week care despite legacy design constraints.The episode dives into traffic and road fixes at East Jones Bridge and 141 (longer turn lanes, better alignment, and a right-turn slip lane), the ESPLOST renewal on the ballot, and the last phase of the Waterside development—now tracking at roughly half the density initially allowed and focused on equity (for-sale) housing. With candid context on what’s been approved or denied since cityhood, plus how extended-stay conversions and the Housing Authority factor in, this conversation is a clear, chart-backed look at how Peachtree Corners balances growth with character.Key takeaways
Timestamp:
- Simpsonwood Park will remain a passive park—no ballfields, pickleball, mountain biking, or major programming.
- Plan includes ADA-accessible paved paths, renovated bathrooms (including one closer to the river), resurfaced parking, and a chapel renovation.
- Selective forestry and wildlife/erosion work will improve long-term health of the park.
- City is outsourcing median maintenance on Peachtree Parkway; crews will be dedicated five days a week for mowing, edging, litter removal, and plant adjustments.
- Median design differs from Johns Creek (at-grade vs. raised), which has made upkeep harder; outsourcing addresses consistency and appearance.
- East Jones Bridge & 141: entrance realignment, longer left-turn stacking, and a right-turn slip lane to move traffic more safely and quickly.
- No municipal election this cycle for three council seats (no challengers qualified), but ESPLOST renewal is on the county ballot.
- Waterside final phase moves forward with for-sale (equity) units; overall buildout drops from up to 916 approved units to ~450.
- Post-2012 housing approvals show a measured approach—some apartment proposals approved, many reduced to townhomes or denied.
- Extended-stay hotel issues are being addressed, including a supervised conversion to efficiency units via the Housing Authority.
Timestamp:
- (00:03:29) Simpsonwood Park master plan details and community input.
- (00:09:55) Renovation of chapel, bathrooms, and forestry management plans.
- (00:15:27) Outsourcing median maintenance on Peachtree Parkway.
- (00:24:27) Election update and ESPLOST renewal.
- (00:27:03) Waterside development’s final phase and reduced density.
- (00:30:12) East Jones Bridge road improvements and traffic flow changes.
- (00:36:37) Housing trends, multifamily approvals, and denials over time.
- (00:42:41) Extended stay hotel conversions and housing authority oversight.
- (00:45:47) Balancing growth, community resistance, and long-term city planning.
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By Peachtree Corners Life
4.7
66 ratings
City Manager Brian Johnson joins host Rico Figliolini on Peachtree Corners Life for a practical update on projects shaping the city’s next few years. He walks through the newly developed Simpsonwood Park master plan—designed to keep the park passive and natural while adding ADA-friendly access, renovated bathrooms, an updated chapel, selective forestry management, and a modest river overlook. Johnson also explains why the city is outsourcing maintenance of the Peachtree Parkway median so residents finally see consistent, five-day-a-week care despite legacy design constraints.The episode dives into traffic and road fixes at East Jones Bridge and 141 (longer turn lanes, better alignment, and a right-turn slip lane), the ESPLOST renewal on the ballot, and the last phase of the Waterside development—now tracking at roughly half the density initially allowed and focused on equity (for-sale) housing. With candid context on what’s been approved or denied since cityhood, plus how extended-stay conversions and the Housing Authority factor in, this conversation is a clear, chart-backed look at how Peachtree Corners balances growth with character.Key takeaways
Timestamp:
- Simpsonwood Park will remain a passive park—no ballfields, pickleball, mountain biking, or major programming.
- Plan includes ADA-accessible paved paths, renovated bathrooms (including one closer to the river), resurfaced parking, and a chapel renovation.
- Selective forestry and wildlife/erosion work will improve long-term health of the park.
- City is outsourcing median maintenance on Peachtree Parkway; crews will be dedicated five days a week for mowing, edging, litter removal, and plant adjustments.
- Median design differs from Johns Creek (at-grade vs. raised), which has made upkeep harder; outsourcing addresses consistency and appearance.
- East Jones Bridge & 141: entrance realignment, longer left-turn stacking, and a right-turn slip lane to move traffic more safely and quickly.
- No municipal election this cycle for three council seats (no challengers qualified), but ESPLOST renewal is on the county ballot.
- Waterside final phase moves forward with for-sale (equity) units; overall buildout drops from up to 916 approved units to ~450.
- Post-2012 housing approvals show a measured approach—some apartment proposals approved, many reduced to townhomes or denied.
- Extended-stay hotel issues are being addressed, including a supervised conversion to efficiency units via the Housing Authority.
Timestamp:
- (00:03:29) Simpsonwood Park master plan details and community input.
- (00:09:55) Renovation of chapel, bathrooms, and forestry management plans.
- (00:15:27) Outsourcing median maintenance on Peachtree Parkway.
- (00:24:27) Election update and ESPLOST renewal.
- (00:27:03) Waterside development’s final phase and reduced density.
- (00:30:12) East Jones Bridge road improvements and traffic flow changes.
- (00:36:37) Housing trends, multifamily approvals, and denials over time.
- (00:42:41) Extended stay hotel conversions and housing authority oversight.
- (00:45:47) Balancing growth, community resistance, and long-term city planning.