Roswell City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday, Oct. 13, to finalize a tax-revenue partnership with Fulton County worth up to $183.7 million for the Holcomb Bridge Road corridor.

The deal was the headline item in a packed meeting that also approved $1.5 million in playground replacements at four parks, adopted the city's 2045 growth plan and authorized a developer search to turn the historic Masonic Lodge into a live music venue. Mayor Mary Robichaux was excused from the meeting, according to city meeting minutes.

Tax district deal

The intergovernmental agreement adds Fulton County's share of new property tax revenue to Tax Allocation District No. 1 (TAD), known as the Roswell East-West Connection. The district covers nearly 2,000 acres along Holcomb Bridge Road, an area of aging shopping centers and stagnant commercial growth, as first reported by Appen Media.

The county's contribution is capped at about $183.7 million. Revenue collection begins with the 2026 tax year, and projects can qualify for district financing from 2027 through 2041. A seven-member advisory committee with two county representatives will review proposed projects before they reach the council.

The TAD works by capturing growth in property tax revenue above a baseline. The roughly 1,200 parcels in the district generate about $21 million a year in property taxes for the city, Fulton County and Fulton County Schools combined, according to Appen Media's 2024 reporting. Those bodies keep collecting that amount. Only new revenue above it flows into the district fund.

Council Member Allen Sells, who moved the item, said homes are shouldering too much of the city's tax growth. "Our brownfields are depreciating, not gaining in value," Sells said at the meeting. "We've got to do economic development; we need to do it quickly, and we need to focus and make [deals] large."

Resident George Vale urged the council to move faster, pointing to Sandy Springs as a model for turning around aging commercial corridors.

Playground replacements

Council members also unanimously approved a $1,468,683 contract with Dominica Recreation Products to replace playgrounds at East Roswell Park, Groveway Community Park, Roswell Area Park and Sloan Street Park. Total project authorization is $1,542,117, funded entirely by the city's 2022 voter-approved bond package.

City staff said at the meeting that each playground has reached or is nearing the end of its service life and raises safety concerns. The new equipment will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Vale, who lives in Roswell's historic mill village, pushed back on the Sloan Street replacement. He said the equipment there is in good condition and asked the council to redirect bond money toward repairs at Founders Cemetery instead. Deputy City Administrator Jeffrey Leatherman said replacement parts for aging playground equipment are difficult to find. City Attorney Joseph Cusack said bond proceeds cannot be used for cemetery work.

Council Member Sarah Beeson said the public had a chance to weigh in on bond-funded projects through the 2022 referendum and through the recreation commission. The $179.6 million bond package funds improvements to parks, trails, sidewalks, a public safety headquarters and a downtown parking deck.

Growth plan and Masonic Lodge

The council unanimously adopted the 2045 Comprehensive Growth Plan, which will guide rezoning decisions, capital projects and infrastructure improvements across the city.

Members also unanimously authorized the Development Authority of Roswell to seek a developer to repurpose the historic Masonic Lodge at 1054 Alpharetta St. as a live music and performing arts venue. The project includes a neighboring city-owned parcel.

One item was deferred: a resolution to let the Roswell Downtown Development Authority coordinate redevelopment of 1.35 city-owned acres at Oxbo Road and Atlanta Street. That vote was pushed to a future council meeting.