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Johns Creek residents press council to move forward on proposed performing arts center
Summary
More than a dozen residents, arts leaders and coaches urged the Johns Creek City Council to commit to a performing arts/legacy center, arguing the facility would boost quality of life and calling for clearer decisions on size, location and funding before the city advances plans.
Dozens of residents and local arts leaders used the council’s public-comment period to press Johns Creek elected officials to take concrete steps toward building a long-discussed performing arts or “legacy” center.
At the April 14 meeting, speakers representing arts organizations, coaches and longtime residents emphasized demand and urged the council to either select a location or place the question before voters. “Arts promote quality of life in Johns Creek,” said a resident who identified himself as Shafiq, urging the council not to “dance around” the decision and suggesting ward-level engagement or a public vote.
Ed Harris, a longtime producer, said the venue proposed in materials he’d seen—about 800 seats—was too small for the larger productions the city should aim to attract. “If it was more like 1,200 seats, which seems like the right way to go, I think that would be something constructive you should discuss,” Harris said, urging a fundraising committee to solicit corporate and philanthropic support.
Other commenters described intense local demand for arts programming. Dee Friedman, who toured the Roswell Cultural Arts Center and cited its 600-seat model as a template, said many council candidates campaigned on a legacy center and asked why momentum appeared to lag. Stephanie Donaldson, executive director of the Johns Creek Art Center, noted that the city’s art center is “packed” with wait lists for children’s through adult classes and offered the arts community’s help in answering council questions and building public backing.
Supporters pointed to practical options for limiting taxpayer exposure. Deborah Alexander urged the council to pursue grants and philanthropic funding—listing potential sources including the National Endowment for the Arts and the Georgia Humanities Council—before relying on local taxes. Paul Shane and other longtime advocates called on the council to keep the project “on the front burner,” citing prior feasibility work and community interest.
No location or final funding decision was announced at the meeting. City staff indicated that some options remain confidential at this stage and that further deliberations would continue. Councilmembers and staff encouraged additional public engagement, but did not set a binding schedule for town halls or a referendum.
The council’s next meetings are scheduled for April 16 (Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee) and April 28 (work session at 5 p.m., council meeting at 7 p.m.), where the topic could reappear on the agenda.
