Roswell council approves first statement of work for Hill Street mixed-use redevelopment

Roswell Mayor and City Council on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, unanimously approved Statement of Work No. 1 with the Downtown Development Authority to advance the Hill Street mixed‑use project, a redevelopment that would swap city and developer land parcels, fund due diligence and begin drafting transaction documents.

The scope of work directs city staff and the DDA to complete developer due diligence, negotiate a development agreement, land‑exchange agreement and ground lease for a site across from City Hall; prepare a business model and leasing terms for a parking deck and for‑sale townhomes; assemble a bond offering memorandum; and commission a transportation study. "We are requesting your approval of this scope of work," said Darryl Conley, Roswell's economic development director, during the meeting.

The project description presented to council said the development would include 80,000 square feet of commercial space, and housing described in the presentation as 43 for‑sale townhomes and a parking deck. City staff said the transaction contemplates a swap of roughly 1.3 acres the city owns in the interior of the block for about 1.33 acres the developer owns at the corner of Highway 9 and Hill Street; staff characterized the swap as moving development intensity from the prominent corner into the interior of a newly created 6.2‑acre district.

The DDA will manage documents and project oversight, engage legal counsel and prepare a budget for city review. City staff said the city will cover the cost of city staff time, SEER consultant work and legal counsel as part of existing authorizations, and the DDA will seek reimbursement from the developer for certain items such as the traffic study. "The DDA will be issuing the bonds," Conley said, and later added that Parker Hudson is working on the ground lease.

Public comment included concerns about demolition and reuse of existing public buildings. Janet Russell, a resident, urged the council to require adaptive reuse where possible: "I would like to see them reuse the police department building and the jail and make them into something part of the project rather than going in with a bulldozer and tearing them down and poisoning the air for the people that live there," Russell said. Conley said developers are contemplating adaptive reuse of the police station but anticipate demolishing the jail; the city also intends to retain the existing water tower.

Council members asked for clarification about costs and future steps. Councilmember Sarah Beeson confirmed with staff that the SEER authorization previously approved (SOW No. 5) covers consultant work and that the city is not being asked for additional SEER authorization in this vote. Councilmember William Mortland moved approval of the statement of work; Councilmember Allen Sells seconded. The council vote was 6–0 in favor.

Votes at a glance

• Appointment of Chris Fink to the Roswell Development Authority — motion by Pro Tem Lee Hills; second by Councilmember Allen Sells; vote 6–0 to approve.

• Consent agenda — motion by Councilmember Sarah Beeson; second by Councilmember David Johnson; vote 6–0 to approve.

Next steps outlined by staff include negotiation of the detailed development agreement, land‑exchange and ground lease documents, assembling a bond offering memorandum, completing the transportation study and returning to council and the DDA with a proposed budget and operating structure for the parking facility and district. The DDA will submit its budget and recordkeeping for city consent as the project proceeds.