ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The historic Farmhouse Park planned for a 6-acre site at Ga. 400 and Old Milton Parkway may be sidetracked as Alpharetta officials consider reprioritizing projects listed in the 2021 parks bond.
Parks bond spending was one of more than a dozen items up for discussion at the City Council’s annual planning retreat Jan. 21-22 in Fayetteville’s Trilith Guesthouse hotel.
While no formal action is taken during planning retreats, councilmembers set goals for the upcoming year and discuss topics likely to appear on agendas at future meetings.
Parks and Recreation Director Morgan Rodgers presented the projected timelines, milestones and hurdles of the eight projects chosen for funding by voters in the $29.5 million bond referendum, which passed overwhelmingly in 2021.
Rodgers said the parks budget falls some $5 million short from completing the work outlined in the bond. Work at some parks like Union Hill, Waters Road, Old Rucker and Mid-Broadwell are near completion, pending additional funding, he said.
But, City Finance Director Tom Harris said the $29.5 million has accrued $1.5 million in interest, set to multiply to $3 million next year, and the funds could be allocated to help the projects over the finish line.
Councilman Brian Will suggested using the interest dollars to wrap up work on the parks closest to completion, with Farmhouse, Wills Park and barns at the Equestrian Center pending discussion.
Local historians believe the Farmhouse Park, a 5.36-acre tract off Old Milton Parkway, is the original settlement of present-day Alpharetta. The 2021 bond reserved $2 million to survey the land, conduct engineering assessments and develop trails, paths and amenities. Of the $2 million, some $1.9 million remains.
Councilman Donald Mitchell and former Councilman Ben Burnett championed the addition of the farmhouse project in…
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