Two years ago, when I became mayor, an overall citywide strategic plan didn’t exist. The City of Roswell is currently creating a plan that embraces a common vision and goals for the future. Last year, we began collecting input from residents and businesses about what they wanted for Roswell’s future. More than 2,000 residents provided feedback, which will help us develop a strategic plan that will give marching orders to Roswell’s elected officials.
I believe we need to expand our tax base in order to keep taxes down. So, when I saw an opportunity to increase movie filming in Roswell, I created the Mayor’s Movie Task Force. Partnered with the Roswell Visitors Center and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, this task force makes film production easier in Roswell.
A Lifetime television movie recently shot for four days at City Hall, during which more than $78,000 was spent in our community. The movie industry brings in $9.5 billion a year to Georgia, and my goal is for Roswell to get a portion of that.
Construction of the Southern Post, Roswell’s newest mixed-use development, has begun on the Southern Skillet property. This important redevelopment will bring 90,000 square feet of loft-style, open-concept office space, a new grocer, and other exciting retail and commercial concepts.
We are continually looking for solutions to make traveling across our city easier for residents. Construction will soon begin on projects that will ease traffic congestion in Roswell. Several major transportation projects will transform traveling in Roswell, whether by vehicle, bicycle, or on foot.
The City of Roswell and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) are working together to improve traffic movement from east and west Roswell. We are doing this by partnering on a new interchange at Holcomb Bridge Road and GA 400. This new interchange will be a transformational project for Roswell. In addition to the new interchange, GDOT plans to construct a bridge over GA 400 (south of Holcomb Bridge Road) as part of the express lanes project. And the City of Roswell will build Big Creek Parkway (a bridge over GA 400 connecting east and west Roswell) north of Holcomb Bridge Road. Combined, these three projects will make commuting and traveling east and west easier and more convenient.
GDOT and the City have also partnered on the Highway 9 Historic Gateway project. You may know this area as the reversible lanes. We have worked with GDOT for many years to find a solution to fix the dangerous conditions on this road while also building a road that is context sensitive to the area. With stakeholder and public input, the City designed a project that GDOT will build. GDOT is currently pursuing right-of-way acquisitions, with construction slated to begin in 2023. Additionally, the Oxbo Road Realignment Project will improve safety and traffic flow. Voters approved this project in the TSPLOST, and the ground for this project was recently broken. Combined, these projects are going to ease traffic congestion and transform how we move around Roswell.
I know this new decade will be one of Roswell’s greatest. I am confident in the incredible local talent we have working together to make Roswell the best place to live in Georgia.
to your business!