Roswell has signed a construction team to build its long-anticipated parking deck, which is part of an effort to keep pace with neighboring cities in attracting dining and entertainment.
The north Fulton City awarded a nearly $15 million contract to Winter Construction to build the Green Street Parking Deck. The triangular site is located at Alpharetta and Green Streets and near the popular Canton Street dining district.
City Council unanimously approved the contract during a specially called meeting Wednesday.
“I think everybody knows that there’s a high need for parking in our historic [district], which is a high-demand area for both restaurants, retail, and shopping,” Councilwoman Sarah Besson said on Friday.
The new parking deck will be funded by a $20 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2022.
Downtown business owners have asked the city for improved parking options for years. City officials have not yet decided whether the new deck will require payment. Many merchants fear that paid parking could drive potential customers to neighboring cities like Alpharetta, where free parking is more readily available.
Beeson said that she believes the public will have an opportunity to weigh in before a final decision is made.
Currently, Roswell has paid parking on Canton Street, Elizabeth Way, and East Alley. However, enforcement has been inconsistent. The city has said it collected just $44,000 in parking revenue in the last fiscal year but projects $1.2 million in revenue for fiscal year 2025 with plans for stricter enforcement.
According to the Roswell, Winter Construction was a finalist from nine candidate firms that responded to an advertised “request for qualifications” that was issued last spring. Winter Construction was one of three firms to advance to Roswell’s “request for proposals” process and became the winning firm over the last month.
Winter Construction has built East Point City Hall and the Forsyth County Courthouse, according to the firm website. The company also recently completed the parking deck for the city of Woodstock, said Roswell Deputy City Administrator Sharon Izzo during the special meeting.
