Roswell mayor backs improving Ga. 400 interchange

By RALPH ELLIS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Al Nash says Roswell’s “gateway” — the Holcomb Bridge/Ga. 400 interchange — lacks curb appeal.

“It’s been neglected,” said the Roswell businessman. “There’s a lot of weeds on the right of way. There’s a DOT fence cut down in one spot. ... It’s not pedestrian friendly.”

Most people driving into Roswell pass through that interchange. Nash said that disheveled look does nothing to attract business to the city. He’s promoting the idea of giving the area a face-lift, and he’s finding support.

Roswell Mayor Jere Wood said he will start by asking the City Council to apply for a $50,000 state Department of Transportation grant available for beautification of state highways. Wood said he’ll find out how much the council wants to invest in the improvement. No aesthetic improvements have been made to the interchange since it opened, he said.

“Is this a $50,000 or a $500,000 project?” Wood asked. “It’s a big difference. I’m bringing them [the council] a concept and asking them to give staff direction.”

Ideas for improving the area include landscaping the right-of-way, replacing the standard-issue DOT fence on the bridge with something more decorative and placing architectural markers at each end of the bridge. Architectural firm ASD Inc. offered design ideas that can be found on Facebook at the Gateway to Roswell page. One sketch showed bridge girders spelling out Roswell for all Ga. 400 motorists to see.

One improvement coming soon: Completing sidewalks on the west side of the intersection. That contract will be assigned soon, Wood said.

Nash, who is chairman of the Council for Quality Growth and a board member with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, said many Gwinnett County towns off I-85 have improved their entrances. Closer to home, the entrance to Alpharetta at the Mansell Road exit off Ga. 400 is held up as an example that Roswell could emulate.

Nash said most of those entrances were financed and maintained by community improvement districts, known as CIDs. A CID is a self-taxing area that uses extra property tax dollars to improve aspects of the district. He suggested the Holcomb Bridge Road area might want to join the North Fulton Community Improvement District.

Wood said that might happen later, but for now he just wants to start the cleanup and hope the idea spreads.

“First impressions are critical,” Wood said. “If you have a good first impression it will carry you for a while.”