Public Facilities Authority approves City Springs parking rates, awards contract to 12 Oaks Parking

The Sandy Springs Public Facilities Authority on March 4 approved a new parking fee schedule for the City Springs development and awarded a contract for parking management to 12 Oaks Parking LLC.

City staff presented the proposals to the authority and said the new rates and management approach are intended to be competitive for a mixed-use development and to generate revenue to offset capital, utility, security and maintenance costs. "Staff recommends the members of the City of Sandy Springs Public Facilities Authority approve the proposed parking rates for the City Springs development," said Dave Wells, the city's director of facilities, capital construction and building operations.

The authority also approved a contract award to 12 Oaks Parking LLC following a competitive request for proposals (RFP 24060). Wells described the procurement as a performance-price tradeoff process that evaluated capabilities, cost and performance confidence. The evaluation committee listed in the staff presentation included Chris Owens, Assistant City Manager; Dave Wells; Ramin Javid (director of facilities); Carl Ziegenmeyer (general manager of the Performing Arts Center); and Eric Kelly (Purchasing Department buyer). Staff recommended 12 Oaks as the best value.

Why it matters: The City Springs area is the city's central mixed-use district; staff said updated rates and a professional parking manager will support economic activity, arts programming and visitors while covering facility costs.

How the system will work: Jeremy Scott, representing 12 Oaks Parking, described a frictionless system that removes entry gates and relies on license-plate recognition with signage that directs users to pay by text, scan or app. "When you enter the facility, there's not the traditional encumbrance of the gate — you free-flow...Your license plate is scanned on entry," Scott said. On exit the system cross-references paid sessions and can generate citations for vehicles without a completed transaction. Staff said ambassadors and customer service agents will be deployed during the transition period and that the system can remember a license plate and the credit card used if a user opts in.

Implementation and timing: Wells told members the contract-signing and setup have already begun and that 12 Oaks and city staff are targeting mid-April to early May to launch the management service and the new rates. He said the rates and management start are contingent on each other. He also said the city will meet with residents and stakeholders before launch to describe the changes and signage.

On-street boundaries and signage: Staff defined "on-street parking" for City Springs as the south parking lot, Mount Vernon Highway parking, Columbus Way, Bluestone Market Square and roughly six parking spaces on Sandy Springs Circle near the bank. Wells said there is existing signage and that additional signage will be installed.

Revenue and budget note: Staff said the city would not receive revenue until certain performance thresholds in the contract are met and that any net revenues would be accounted for in the next year's budget rather than the current fiscal year.

The motions passed unanimously. Dr. Melody Kelly moved both the resolution approving the parking fee schedule and the resolution awarding the contract to 12 Oaks; Melissa Mueller seconded both motions. All authority members present voted aye.

Looking ahead: Staff and 12 Oaks will meet with residents before launch, and city staff said they will return with any follow-up items if adjustments are needed after implementation.