Spaces
Down on the Farm- Neely Farm, Part One
Besides the natural beauty along the Chattahoochee river, rolling hills, mature trees and a neighborhood developed during an era when builders still appreciated the value of beautiful properties, Neely Farm is also conveniently located to nearby grocery stores, churches, gyms, shopping and dining options.
The Forum and Town Center are more recent draws. It’s an easy commute to Atlanta and a quick jaunt to John’s Creek, Alpharetta and surrounding areas of interest.
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I spoke to Neely farmer of 26 years and former Homeowner’s Association (HOA) President Pamela Brazell about some of the things that make Neely Farm a special place. “We were attracted to this community-oriented neighborhood,” she said. “Neely Farm is more than a subdivision. It’s a community where people care about their neighbors. You feel like you know everybody, people are so friendly. I love how our neighborhood has transcended time. It was beautiful when it was new, and it’s even more so now.”
Residents, known as “Farmers,” have a community website and neighborhood watch group. They also leverage a Facebook Page to keep each other abreast of new developments, ask for recommendations, help of all sorts, and give praise or express grievances.
A group volunteers specifically to help those in need. “If you’re sick and can’t pick up groceries or medications, they’ll do it for you,” Brazell explained.
Neighborhood watch
The neighborhood watch group keeps the neighborhood updated if there are any alerts. Brazell said that they’ve implemented the Flock Safety Camera System to help police if there’s ever any criminal activity.
“Several Peachtree Corners neighborhoods have it, and the city is on board as well. It’s very cohesive. It’s precise enough to eliminate registered neighbors in a search, showing only license plate numbers that are not registered,” she explained.
Good sports and great schools
Tennis is king in Neely Farm. There is men’s, women’s, mixed teams — and, of course, kids’ tennis. An old map of the subdivision shows four tennis courts. “We built two more because we needed more,” Ned Richards said. Ned and his wife, Marsha, moved to the Neely Farm subdivision 32 years ago and are among the original residents. “If you went up Big House to the clubhouse and looked to the left on Neely Farm Drive, the barn and silo were still there,” Ned recalled.
Ned Richards
Pickleball is an up and coming sport, and several neighbors play on the tennis courts now, but the HOA is looking at possibly building a pickleball court in the next couple of years. Basketball is a walk-up-and-start-a-game-with-neighbors kind of sport.
The Neely Farm Mallards swim team started up almost immediately, Richards said. Kids from 4 to 18 take lessons at the pool and, besides competing with the swim team, may go on to other divisions. “A neighbor who worked for Wilson Sporting Goods had Neely Farm gear made — hats, shirts. I have a windbreaker. Back then, that was unheard of.”
Marsha Richards)
Richards said that in the early days on the Farm, almost everybody’s kids went to Peachtree Elementary. “We were all in the same PTA,” he recalled. All the Neely Farm teens went to Norcross High School, though there may have been one or two kids going to Westminster or Lovett.
“We all did the same activities, had vacation and school breaks at the same time. Kids were getting on the same school bus,” Richards said. There was more interaction because everybody had opportunities to meet. Now the senior banner in the spring shows 10 or 12 different high schools represented.”
Wesleyan moving here and the area getting redistricted into Simpson Elementary were a plus, and several families with school-aged kids are moving in. “That’s helped a lot in terms of property values and resales,” Richards said.
Unique homes
Another great thing about Neely Farm is the variety of home styles found here — they’re not cookie-cutter homes. “When you selected a lot in Neely Farm, the builder came with it. By 1994, it was pretty well built out. They had eight builders to start with,” Richards said. “Back then, it wasn’t typical for a subdivision to have only one builder. Developers preferred a variety of builders so there’d be different styles of homes.”
There are 334 homes in Neely Farm. Two of them are in the Reserve at Neely Farm, where homeowners have the option of paying into the Neely Farm HOA to gain access to the tennis and swim facilities.
The average price of a home in Neely Farm was between $650,000 and $675,000 in 2020. Typically, 18 houses are sold yearly. As of November 2020, 24 homes have sold; the increase is likely due to lower interest rates during the pandemic.
Sidewalks make good neighbors
Marchman was the developer who purchased 325 acres of land from Frank Neely’s descendants and began the transition from a rural to a suburban setting in 1984. Richards noted that Howard Hoffman, the husband of Neely’s granddaughter Eve, insisted that sidewalks be built on both sides of the street as a condition of the sale. It’s an extra cost for the developer, but Hoffman was unflinching.
“Howard said, “You can build nice houses on nice streets, and people will wave. But if you have sidewalks, they’ll stop and talk. Then you won’t just have a subdivision, you’ll have a neighborhood,” Richards recounted. Residents make use of the sidewalks and cross paths with neighbors regularly. Some walk, some jog, some walk their dogs, others stroll with their children.
Richards shared an amusing bit of Farm history, “Depending on what was going on, or if there was something you did that warranted it, in years past, you may have woken up to a toilet on your front lawn. It rotated around the neighborhood as needed, depending on who ‘deserved’ it.”
The clubhouse and River Park
The lovely historical clubhouse was built using bricks from the original Fulton County courthouse. They were transported by train and brought to the estate on a wagon. Built in the 1930s, it served as the Neely farmhouse and hunting lodge. It was newly remodeled this year.
Residents can book the clubhouse online. It has seen many weddings, baby showers and graduation parties over the years. It’s a perk for neighbors to have the space to host gatherings.
Pictures on the walls show the original house and what the rooms were like. “It’s really nice to have that kind of a treasure in your neighborhood,” Brazell said.
One of the finest assets is the natural park with trails along the Chattahoochee River which will remain undisturbed. It’s a certified bird sanctuary for bluebirds and a wildlife preserve. Residents can enjoy nature as they walk, jog, bike or picnic.
It served as an invaluable outlet this year during the pandemic. More than ever, people spent time in the quiet wooded area, enjoying wildlife and fresh air. “It was a godsend for our neighborhood,” Brazell added.
The Street of Dreams
The Atlanta area real estate community sponsored “The Street of Dreams” in a new subdivision each year, as a way for the development to get positive PR and drive traffic to the houses. In the fall of 1989, that street was Indian River in Neely Farm. There were only six homes then, each designed by a different builder.
“The homes were nicely furnished. Interior designers were part of the presentation. The public paid for tours,” Richards said. “A day was set aside for residents to visit for free.”
He remembered that, at that time, “River Bottom, where Rachel dead ends, to the left, wasn’t developed hardly at all. When you went up River Bottom the other way, up the hill, there was no Indian Field, Dairy Way or Harrow Trace. It was just wooded land. All that was built a few years later. There were no river lot homes. That whole area was totally open. Traffic wasn’t a problem.”
Farmers and socialites
“Social events bring neighbors and kids together,” Brazell said. “We’ve enriched our programs for children to keep them an active part of the neighborhood. There is something for everyone here.”
Neely Farm has a special Christmas tradition. What was once a Dine Around at different homes has evolved into a single gathering at the clubhouse. The Farm’s very own Bruce Brett grows his white beard every year in preparation for “Christmas with Santa,” an evening with the children, Mrs. Claus and an elf. “He is the perfect Santa Claus. The kids enjoy coming to see him and having cookies,” Brazell beamed.
For Valentine’s Day, the kids meet for an array of arts and cookies. They’re welcome to make crafts and take them home. Parents join in to help and socialize.
The Easter bunny makes an appearance in Spring for an egg hunt and refreshments at the clubhouse.
Chastain Night is a fun event held in May. Around the pool deck at the clubhouse, a band plays while neighbors mingle, dine and dance around theme-decorated tables. Prizes are awarded to the best tables.
A highlight is the Pig Roast, held in fall. The men gather for comradery and set up tents the night before. Face painters, balloons, a DJ, and delicious food make the annual event fun for the whole neighborhood.
Halloween graveyard at the Lewis home in Neely Farm 2020. (Photo courtesy of Jess Lewis)
Fierce homemade BBQ sauce competitions at the roast have gone on for three decades, complete with campaigns and signs. Richards recalls that, in years past, “…we had skits, routines, sang songs. We made hand fans for Slap your Mama BBQ sauce. The last song of the night was always David Allan Coe’s, ‘You Never Even Called Me by My Name.’ We’d all sing, a large group of us in a circle.”
Brazell remembers that The Fourth of July used to be over the top. “A firetruck would park at the clubhouse. Kids would climb all over it and take pictures. Then we had a parade. Kids decorated their bikes, their little motor cars, wheelbarrows. With music playing, they’d march through the neighborhood,” she said.
The Armchair Brigade was a fabulous part of the Fourth of July parade, she added. “Husbands would get together to practice. They used folding chairs. They would fold up, march, snap them open, snap them shut, put them down, sit down. It was a hoot!”
SCB Construction Group, freshly rebranded from SteelCo, secures construction project with CGA Reps for new office HQ in Peachtree Corners
SCB Construction Group has announced a strategic partnership with CGA Reps to build a new office headquarters in Peachtree Corners. The project, encompassing approximately 26,000 square feet of innovative workspace, marks a significant milestone in advancing CGA Reps’ corporate vision while showcasing SBA Construction Group’s commitment to delivering transformative construction solutions.
In collaboration with Oakley Real Estate Partners — serving as developers of the project on behalf of CGA Reps — this venture reflects a united effort to bring cutting-edge design (from Smallwood architecture firm) and operational excellence to the commercial kitchen equipment industry.
The announcement follows several high-profile projects for SCB Construction Group in 2024, including a 72,500-square-foot manufacturing center and headquarters for Process Equipment & Controls, an impressive interior build-out for Courtesy Ford Conyers’ commercial service center and the Phase 1 completion for StoreEase Loganville — recently honored as a 2024 Smart Facility of the Year by Modern Storage Media.
A bold new chapter for CGA Reps
The new 25,890-square-foot headquarters is designed to be more than just a workplace — it is envisioned as an inspiring environment that serves both client engagements and employee creativity. CGA Reps is recognized as an industry expert in commercial kitchen equipment, representing leading manufacturers, warehousing, distributing and installing everything from fryers to commercial walk-in freezers.
The facility’s design reflects this expertise, featuring a dedicated approximately 9,000-square-foot showroom kitchen that will host equipment demonstrations, tradeshows and webinars. This dynamic space will allow CGA Reps to showcase its comprehensive product range and provide clients with hands-on experiences of the latest commercial kitchen innovations.
A standout feature of the project is its innovative approach to stormwater management. With the site comprising only three acres, sufficient space for a traditional detention pond does not exist. To overcome this challenge, the design includes an underground detention system located beneath the truck court to efficiently handle all stormwater runoff.
This solution not only maximizes the use of the available land but also reinforces CGA Reps’ commitment to sustainable practices.
“We are excited to embark on this project with CGA Reps,” said Jay Bailey, CEO of SCB Construction Group. “This partnership underscores our commitment to customer excellence in design and construction, and it is a testament to the trust our clients place in our ability to deliver projects that not only meet but exceed expectations.”
Delivering excellence through proven expertise
SCB Construction Group’s track record in 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable. Earlier in the year, the company completed a 72,500 square foot manufacturing center for Process Equipment & Controls, integrating office space within a dynamic production facility.
This project was celebrated for its innovative design that balanced operational efficiency with a modern aesthetic, utilizing IMP panels to mimic tilt-up concrete, setting new standards for manufacturing environments.
Similarly, the interior build-out for Courtesy Ford Conyers’ commercial service center demonstrated SCB Construction Group’s ability to transform conventional spaces into functional and attractive environments that cater to both customer and staff needs.
The company’s commitment to quality and precision was again evident in the successful Phase 1 completion for StoreEase Loganville. This project, which recently earned the distinction of a 2024 Smart Facility of the Year by Modern Storage Media, highlights SCB Construction Group’s forward-thinking approach to construction and design, incorporating smart technologies and design that enhance sustainability and operational efficiency.
A rebranding that reflects a vision for the future
In a move that signals its evolution and growth, SCB Construction Group has recently rebranded from its former identity, SteelCo Buildings, as it spins off its construction division. This strategic rebranding is not merely cosmetic — it represents a renewed commitment to capabilities, credibility and client-focused service.
The refreshed brand is anchored by a new tagline “Deep Expertise, High Expectations” and a clear brand promise that communicates the company’s mission: to craft exceptional construction experiences based on precision, innovation and trust.
“Our rebranding is about more than just a new name or logo; it’s a renewed promise to our clients and communities,” explained Robert Lee, marketing director at SCB Construction Group. “We believe that our updated brand identity, including our invigorated tagline and mission statement, encapsulates our dedication to pushing the boundaries of design and construction. It reflects our commitment to creating spaces that are as inspiring as they are functional.”
Transforming spaces to inspire and connect
The new headquarters for CGA Reps is expected to become a landmark facility in Peachtree Corners. Beyond its impressive architectural design and advanced construction techniques, the building is planned as a hub for innovation and collaboration.
The interior build-out will include dynamic client reception areas, interactive meeting rooms, and dedicated spaces designed to foster creativity and teamwork among employees. The layout is crafted to ensure that every area of the facility contributes to a productive and inspiring work environment.
“By investing in this state-of-the-art facility, CGA Reps is making a strong statement about the future of work,” said Bryan Young, VP of construction at SCB Construction Group. “Our team is dedicated to designing and building spaces that not only serve the immediate needs of our clients but also create environments that motivate and inspire. The new headquarters will be a testament to that vision.”
Looking ahead
The partnership between SCB Construction Group and CGA Reps marks a significant step forward for both companies. As SCB Construction Group continues to build on its legacy of excellence and innovation, this project is poised to set a new benchmark for modern office headquarters design in the region.
With a strategic focus on creating spaces that inspire, connect and drive success, the future looks promising for both SCB Construction Group and its esteemed partner, CGA Reps.
For more information on the new headquarters project or to learn more about SCB Construction Group’s portfolio, visit scbcg.com.
On Friday, May 10, 2024, the City of Peachtree Corners held a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony of its new space-themed Tot Lot Playground on Town Green.
Last November, the city began constructing a new tot lot playground for children under six years old that is themed around space exploration. This new play area includes a rocket ship, a moon rover, a crashed UFO and other fun designs. It was also created to be fully accessible, ensuring all children can enjoy it.
During the ribbon-cutting, children and their guardians enjoyed fun activities, including an ice cream truck, bubble lady, balloon animals, face painting and even a visit from Buzz Lightyear.
When Peachtree Corners City Councilman Alex Wright last had a dog, he was only a kid.
Young Alex was devastated when he died and did not want to get another dog because he did not want to endure that trauma again.
As a result, his family has never had a dog, and even though the two youngest of his four children badgered him and his wife endlessly, they always said no.
Then COVID-19 hit. The Wrights’ youngest son, Michael, was committed to convincing his parents to get a dog. He even did a PowerPoint presentation (with music) explaining why he absolutely needed a dog.
“I guess it was from being cooped up during Covid that my wife suggested maybe we should give in. Next thing I know we tell the kids we are going to get a dog,” Councilman Wright wrote in an email.
So, in June 2021, they got their first dog, Murphy, an Australian Labradoodle.
“All of a sudden, we discover this whole dog subculture that we had not really paid attention to before. All the things dogs liked to do, all the stuff you could buy them, all the people we met through walking the dog,” he explained.
In February, Wright and his wife were at Avalon returning a purchase when they came upon a modest-sized dog park. Wright’s wife suggested having something like that at Town Green would be great.
Dog Park Ribbon Cutting photos by George Hunter
“Later that day, I texted the City Manager [Brian Johnson] about the idea, and he really liked it. At the time, the playground (the one that opened in August 2022) was under construction, and we were already discussing other ideas to create activation at the Town Center, so this fit right into that plan,” said Wright.
The assistant City Manager, Seth Yurman, was tasked with the nuts and bolts and worked with a contractor on location and design.
“Can’t say enough about what a great job Seth did. We have definitely had some supply chain delays, which resulted in an opening maybe 9 to 12 months later than originally hoped for, but it is finally open,” he added.
Dog Park Ribbon Cutting photos by George Hunter
A couple more things are still left to do for the project, including installing a large sail cover over the stone entrance area. Construction of the Bone Bar is also on the agenda. This small bar will serve adult and non-adult beverages and likely…you guessed it? Treats for dogs.
The new dog park is situated behind the CineBistro building near the Town Green. The Peachtree Corners Off-Leash Dog Park is approximately 9,000 square feet and is divided into sections for smaller and larger dogs, with natural and artificial turf areas.
Dog Park Ribbon Cutting photos by George Hunter
PTC Dog Park Rules
- The dog park is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- The dog park is CLOSED for maintenance every Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Use of the dog park is at your own risk. You are responsible for your dog and any injuries or damage caused by your dog.
- All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- All dogs must wear a collar with a valid license and have current vaccinations required by law.
- Please call 911 for all emergencies.
- The small dog area is for dogs 30 pounds and under. Dogs over 30 pounds must use the large dog area.
- Dogs must stay on a leash until they are in the fenced-in areas of the dog park and must be off-leash while in the dog park.
- Professional dog trainers may not use the dog park to conduct business.
- No person shall bring more than three dogs at one time.
- Please dispose of your dog’s waste in the receptacles provided. Remind others to do the same.
- Dogs must always be under the control and supervision of their handler.
- If your dog becomes aggressive, please leash the dog and exit the park immediately.
- Gates must be closed after entrance and exit.
- Dogs under six months old and female dogs in heat are not permitted.
- Food (human and dog) and glass containers are not permitted, as are smoking, vaping and drug use.
- Cats and other animals are not permitted.
- Bikes, scooters, skateboards and motorized equipment are not permitted.
- Violation of these rules may result in a ban from the dog park.
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