Drive along South Fulton Parkway and you are just amazed at the open land.

In sharp contrast to the dense development along north Fulton corridors such as Ga. 400, the parkway is a pristine departure.

Last week, Fulton County Economic Development director Joseph Johnson outlined a series of proposals for creating more economic development in South Fulton County and the parkway represents one of the area's biggest assets.

The parkway is 19 miles long and offers 80,000 acres of land for development of residential, commercial and mixed-use areas.

In 1998, Georgia Tech outlined a series of scenarios for future development of the land, but very little development has occurred in the two years since the study occurred.

One of the biggest issues Fulton County is examining that could spur development is completing the sewer lines along the parkway.

Johnson estimated the cost at $3 million, but said further studies need to be done before any decision is made on the completion of the lines.

Johnson also recommended that any development be coordinated by the South Fulton Parkway Alliance.

To improve the look of the area, Johnson wants all signs and landscaping to be designed by Georgia Tech to make sure the image of the parkway is tasteful.

As the development comes, the director recommended that the parkway be designated an "overlay" distict with special development guidelines, including a stipulation that frontage roads must be installed by developers to allow traffic to flow freely on the road.

Finally, Johnson would like to see a master plan adopted for the area that is funded by Fulton County. The economic director is seeking input on the proposals and urges residents to contact his office at 404-730-8000 about their ideas.