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Roswell approves Riverside Road trail and moves to file for eminent‑domain easements after public objections
Summary
Council unanimously approved staff’s request to file for condemnation on five parcel frontages to build a multi‑use trail, sidewalk and a roundabout along Riverside Road. A property owner testified against eminent domain and criticized roundabouts and sidewalks as unnecessary.
Roswell City Council voted 6–0 on Dec. 18 to authorize staff to file for condemnation on small easements for the Riverside Road T‑PLS project, the next step toward constructing an 8–10‑foot multi‑use trail on the south side of Riverside Road, a 5‑foot sidewalk on the north side, and a roundabout in one segment.
Deputy Director of Transportation Greg Nicholas described the project as largely acquisition of small frontage strips rather than full parcel takes, and said the city plans to bid the construction in the first quarter of 2026 with construction beginning in spring once a contractor is onboarded. The FY26 resurfacing budget and other capital programs were discussed earlier in the meeting.
Property owner and Roswell business speaker Jason Yell opposed the condemnation filing in public comment, calling eminent domain “fundamentally wrong” and criticizing the design choices, such as the use of roundabouts and curb‑and‑gutter sidewalks. He said the project unnecessarily increases cost, removes trees, and disadvantages existing businesses adjacent to Aelia (Riverside) Park. “Roundabouts… are very expensive … It's a bad design,” Yell said.
Council Member David Johnson defended the design choice, citing safety studies and agency guidance: he referenced Ohio State DOT and Florida Department of Transportation findings that roundabouts can reduce injury‑level crashes and pedestrian incidents compared with signalized intersections. Council and staff clarified that the project is intended to improve mobility, add bike and pedestrian facilities, and implement elements from the River Parks master plan.
The council approved the condemnation filing by unanimous vote. Staff said the acquisitions are limited to frontage easements needed for the trail, sidewalk, crossings and a roundabout; they emphasized the city aims to limit full takings and to advance the project to bid.
Next steps: staff will begin right‑of‑way acquisition steps and proceed to bid the project in Q1 2026; construction anticipated in spring 2026 pending procurement and weather.
