Roswell council approves application for $3M loan and $1M grant to fund Green Street phase 1

The Roswell City Council voted unanimously Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, to authorize the city to apply for financing from the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB): a $3 million loan and $1 million grant to support phase 1 of the Green Street activation plan.

Director Jeff Littlefield (presenting) told the council the GTIB program favors loan requests or loan-plus-grant combinations. He said the city has already set aside about $800,000 for engineering and right-of-way work for the Green Street project and that $4 million is needed to complete phase 1—from Cherry Way to Highway 9—and to convert Plumtree into a multiuse trail. Littlefield said the application is to be submitted only; council would decide later if it accepts any awarded loan or grant.

Applications are evaluated on engineering value, economic impact, matching funds and feasibility; a $250 application fee will be paid from existing funds if the council approves submission. Littlefield noted the city previously won a $5 million GTIB loan for resurfacing in 2021 and that grant awards are more competitive than loans.

Councilor David Johnson moved to approve the resolution authorizing staff to apply for a $3 million loan and $1 million grant through GTIB. Councilor Alan Sells seconded. By show of hands the motion passed 6–0. Council said the June award announcements will guide a return to council for acceptance discussions and terms. Littlefield said interest-rate terms are set by the program and applicants choose among available terms if awarded.

Clarifying details: the application targets phase 1 of Green Street only; staff emphasized this step requests application authority and does not commit the city to accepting financing. The city allocated $800,000 for earlier phases and estimates $4,000,000 is needed to complete phase 1 as presented to council.