ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell City Council passed several pivotal proposals aimed at enhancing the city's infrastructure and services on Monday night.
Among the key approvals were the location selection for a new downtown parking garage, the Green Street Activation Plan, and the acquisition of property for a new 911 center, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and firing range.
New parking garage location approved
Residents of Roswell can anticipate smoother downtown commutes with the recent approval of the location for a new parking garage. The site, situated between Alpharetta and Green Streets, was chosen following voter approval in 2022.
The 2.4-acre plot was selected from eight potential locations. While specifics regarding capacity and dimensions were not disclosed during the council meeting, the approval marks a significant step towards addressing the city's parking needs.
"People have been yearning to alleviate the parking needs of this city for a long time," Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson said.
Once the design phase is completed, the project is estimated to take approximately 30 months to finish.
Green Street activation plan to enhance accessibility
Coinciding with the parking garage initiative, the City Council greenlit the Green Street Activation Plan, which aims to improve pedestrian and vehicular access to the new parking facility.
Green Street is one of the oldest roads in the Roswell historic district, but it hasn't been tracked as the safest. The plan seeks to create a safer environment for pedestrians by implementing a number of advancements.
Notable changes include the conversion of Plum Street into a pedestrian walkway and the designation of Green Street as a southbound one-way road. Additionally, enhancements such as a new trail, improved lighting, and landscaping are set to augment the overall streetscape.
During Monday's meeting, the mayor said this project wasn't brought to the public for review because it is directly connected to the parking deck project.
Property acquisition for public safety facilities
The city council also approved the purchase of 11261 Alpharetta Highway. The 6.34-acre parcel, currently housing Sharpshooters, will undergo renovations to accommodate the Roswell Police Department's 911 center, EOC, and firing range for officer training.
"We're acquiring this piece of property for less than $6 million, the renovations on it will be about $3 million, and we will create a new 911 center, an EOC center, and a firing range for the police—about a $10 million solution just on that piece of property alone," Mayor Wilson explained.
He added, "It's a tremendous value for the taxpayers of Roswell."
Along with these initiatives, Roswell also strengthened their ordinances on spa and massage establishments to rid the city of illicit behavior.
