The city of Roswell is hoping the break ground on a new $100 million mixed-used development downtown early next year.
Groundbreaking on the Southern Post development is set for January 15, according to Jeff Garrison, a partner at the the project’s development company, S.J. Collins Enterprises.
The Roswell Downtown Development Authority and the Fairburn-based developer closed three weeks ago on the $5 million purchase of the 1023 Alpharetta Street property, Garrison said.
The mixed-used development will include 100,000 square feet of office space; 40,000 square feet of retail space; 128 apartments; 10 townhomes; a parking deck; fitness facilities; and a grocery store, according to Garrison.
Garrison previously said the townhomes are expected to cost between $650,000 and $850,000. The monthly apartment rent is not yet set.
He believes this project’s office and retail spaces will bring “missing pieces” to the area and create “energy for the historic district of Roswell.”
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The project aims to create an area in which people can live, work, and shop. “People can have a way to park their car and never have to get back in their car,” Garrison said.
Roswell’s mayor, Lori Henry, said she sees the development as a catalyst for the area. “I look forward to seeing this project to fruition and making this area an even more vibrant gathering place for our residents and visitors,” Henry said.
The development, which will be close to the Canton Street entertainment area, has raised some concerns in the past about how it may affect existing small businesses.
City administrator Gary Palmer said in June city leaders are “respectful of some of (those business owners’) needs, and we’re working with them on the transition.”
However, it is not clear what the city has done since then to help affected businesses.
The project is expected to move forward after the city's Historic Preservation Commission considered Wednesday minor design changes, including lighting, and bike racks, according to the meeting's agenda.
The Southern Post is not the last Roswell will see of these types of the developments. The City Council approved a proposal Tuesday for a boutique hotel next to the Southern Post development.
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