Metro Atlanta city preserves nature through showcasing art with new roundabout

Roussan Francois says public art in the middle of a busy road never looked so good.

“In fact, I love it! I drive through it every day. I wish I had my coffee here every morning!”

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It’s an $8 million roundabout that opened over the summer in the middle of the Sandtown community in the City of South Fulton. It’s the spot where Campbellton, New Hope, and Boat Rock roads come together.

It used to be very congested and sometimes dangerous.

“Now everybody slows down. As you can see, 18-wheelers — because this is a state route — they go slow.

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We’re much happier,” City of South Fulton Public Works Director Antonio Valenzuela said.

The large metal works of art feature things that make Sandtown what it is. Deer. Creeks. Boulders. The African American community sits in an area well known for nature.

The city was very careful to preserve what’s here. Residents say it’s part of their heritage.

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While there have been some Black communities that were never the same after big public road projects, locals say Sandtown is being protected.

“This is the kind of thing that you feel proud of to have in your community,” Francois said.

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