Roswell Plaza, was affectionately known locally as the Southern Skillet after a beloved breakfast establishment, is now called The Southern Post. The redeveloped property will be turned into a mixed-use development that will strongly support a more walkable downtown Roswell.
The DDA was the helping hand that the City needed as rounds of Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Request for Proposal(s) (RFP) and each step leading up to the closing…all steps to identify a team to acquire and redevelop this site. The journey began as far back as 2015!
FOLLOW OUR PROGRESS
Get Development Updates
This project is no longer a DDA project. We will do our best to share and update what we learn as it becomes available. Get updates directly from the developer, Armada Hoffler.
Leasing Information
Interested in leasing a space within the new Southern Post? Visit Dart Retail
Approximately 40,000 SF of retail space and 95,000 SF of loft space available
Approximately 128 Apartment units and 10 townhomes.
Unique gathering and common area plaza space.
Projected opening in Q4 2023.
Contact
Kim Dart Kim.dart@DartRetail.com or call (770) 356-1976
Shannon Martin Shannon@RetailLeasingAdvisors.net or call (404) 312-4305
Southern Post’s Value to Roswell
November 16, 2020
Roswell Inc executive director Steve Stroud chats with Jennifer Harris and Ryan Arcese of Armada Hoffler, the real estate development firm that is leading the project. They discuss what the development will bring to Roswell’s historic district, how long the project will take to complete, and what stores and restaurants we can be on the lookout for. Read More
Roswell Magazine:
WELL DONE, The Southern Post Story
January 2020
Roswell Plaza was one of the first shopping strips in north Atlanta, when first developed in 1963. The community was thrilled to have retail and restaurants closer to home, and it soon became a community gathering area for Roswell’s residents. It’s interesting to note, that at the time, “downtown” Roswell was known as the area around Roswell Historic Town Square, near the Roswell Mill, while the Canton Street area was mainly residential, and known as, “Uptown”.
Read the history how the DDA navigated the project.
See the full publication.
November 5, 2019
Armada Hoffler & S.J. Collins Close on Southern Post Property
Patch Candice McElyea, Business - Roswell, GA
ROSWELL, Ga. – Virginia-based Armada Hoffler Properties Inc. (NYSE: AHH) and Georgia-based S.J. Collins Enterprises have closed on the land purchase for the former Roswell Plaza site located at 1023 Alpharetta St. in Roswell, Ga. Read More
October 25, 2019
Celebration! It is Done!
The closing is complete! S.J. Collins purchased the (aka Skillet) property to develop it into a mixed-use project! The DDA board has been dedicated to help expedite the project contracts to ensure it is positioned for great economic impact to downtown Roswell. Keep following, details and progress will continue to be updated.
September 30, 2019
Closing Extended
An Amendment was made to the Purchase and Sale Agreement between DDA and the 1023 Roswell, LLC extending the Closing Date to October 25, 2019 to allow more time to acquire the Land Disturbance Permit prior to closing.
July 25, 2019
Closing still on Schedule
SJ Collins continues to move toward closing, set as September 26th in the Purchase and Sale Agreement. As present, their activities includes:
Architectural design and continuation of HPC approvals
Site engineering to secure a Land Disturbance Permit allowing site development
Environmental matters including update to the State of Georgia Brownfield Program
Leasing of office and retail spaces. SJ Collins will announce tenants when leases are signed.
Preparation for closing, including finalizing financing.
June 27, 2019
Closing Extended 90 days
Closing is extended 90 days from June 28 to September 26. This was contemplated in the Purchase and Sale Agreement and required a non-refundable deposit. SJ Collins is continuing to secure leases and finalize the financing of the project.
June 10, 2019
S.J Collins Enterprises releases Renderings of the Mixed-Use development.
The renderings include a mixture of residential, parking, retail, grocery, retail and more!
May 7, 2019
The Skillet is cooking!
SJ Collins (SJC) has been through two rounds with the Historical Preservation Committee (HPC). HPC Applications have been submitted and the City Staff are reviewing the details. SJC has requested for signage and a marketing trailer. Wells have been requested for EPA assessment due to the previous dry cleaner to then be closed before closing. The closing is scheduled for 6/28/19.
April 9, 2019
SJ Collin’s plans approved by Council
On 4/8/19, City Council approved of the SJ Collins plan for the Roswell Plaza (aka Skillet) without the need for changes. SJ Collins is in progress of getting their permits. Next is a meeting with Georgia Department of Transportation on 4/12/19 to discuss the light on Highway 9.
March 27, 2019
Southern Skillet Redevelopment moves forward in the review process
The design for the redevelopment of the Southern Skillet by SJ Collins, goes before the Historic Preservation Commission tomorrow morning for review. This is a regularly scheduled work session and begins bright and early at 8:30 am in Room 220 at City Hall and is open to the public.
Read More
March 5, 2019
Southern Skillet Status
In the monthly DDA Board Meeting (open to the public), S.J Collins Enterprises reported on the progress within the Due Diligence period of the Purchase Sale Agreement. Updates were provided regarding storm water, environmental, fire marshal, open container ruling for restaurant district and overall architectural updates.
An amendment to the Purchase Sale Agreement between S. J. Collins Enterprises and DDA was approved. The Amendment grants a one-time ability to extend the closing date for a period of 90-days upon payment of $250,000, which shall be nonrefundable upon payment.
February 5, 2019
Southern Skillet in Due Diligence Phase
The Skillet property is in the Due Diligence phase until February 15, 2019. Environmental Investigation is in process. If issues arise, a Special Meeting will be called. Pre-application meetings are in place to discuss topics such as traffic lights, traffic volume, storm water pipe capacity and warrants. So far, all is compliant.
January 24, 2019
Roswell DDA announces developer for
Southern Skillet Site!
The Roswell Downtown Development Authority has chosen commercial real estate development firm S.J. Collins Enterprises to redevelop the Southern Skillet site, which is located off Alpharetta Highway with access to Frazier Street. Read More
December 1, 2018
Southern Skillet RFP Submissions
The RFP was released October 31, 2018, with submissions due November 14, 2018. We received six proposals as indicated on the sign-in sheet. Read More
October 31, 2018
Developer Proposals Due
Proposals are due by November 14, 2018 at 2:00 pm and are to be delivered to the Council Chambers of the City of Roswell. Read More
December 3, 2018
Southern Skillet Redevelopment Update:
Proposal Review
The DDA met Wednesday in Executive Session to review and discuss the proposals submitted as part of the RFP process for the Southern Skillet redevelopment site.
This meeting is being held in a closure or executive session because the financial offers are being discussed with regards to matters associated with the acquisition or disposition of real estate.
Read More
November 5, 2018
Finding The Perfect Fit, Skillet Redevelopment Takes Another Turn At The RFP Process
The Roswell Downtown Development Authority launched a second Southern Skillet Site Redevelopment Request For Proposal (RFP) on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The new RFP invites potential developers to submit offers and design concepts for consideration of the historic area. Read More
September 25, 2018
Roswell Downtown Development Authority Concludes Southern Skillet Redevelopment Procurement Process
THE ROSWELL DDA, COMMITTED TO ONLY THE BEST FOR ROSWELL
The Roswell Downtown Development Authority (RDDA) voted today to conclude the procurement process to identify and secure a developer for the 4.2-acre Southern Skillet Site. The process was concluded without securing a contract for the redevelopment of the site with the Beecham/Ardent team, which was selected as the team to proceed with in April 2017. Read More
July 16, 2018
A quick status update on the Skillet Redevelopment site
Southern Skillet, Redevelopment
THERE ARE FEW THINGS THAT MOVE SLOWER THAN A COMPLICATED, INFILL, REDEVELOPMENT, SO WE WANTED TO UPDATE YOU ON WHERE WE ARE.
The DDA is nearing the end of the RFP process to create an offer to purchase the Roswell Plaza property. After nearly a year of pursuing the termination, Family Dollar finally agreed to terms. That lease termination agreement was executed by City Council on June 6, 2018. It will now allow an offer to be specific as to the timing of a closing.
During the time the Family Dollar lease settlement was being pursued, Beecham/Ardent planned a multitude of options to deliver on the plan submitted in their proposal. Conditions to execute that plan included expanding to properties adjacent to Roswell Plaza to create a larger coordinated master plan. Three other property owners were engaged in many discussions and negotiations. This pursuit was complex given each owner having their own conditions related to price, timing and use. Further, the planning phase explored multiple mixed-use scenarios that included grocery, retail, office, a food hall, townhomes and multi-family. Parking deck designs were explored within the Roswell Plaza boundary as well as on the adjacent property. As the agreement with Family Dollar was being negotiated for lease termination, more than 35 concepts plan were produced by Beecham/Ardent as they evaluated them for financial and market viability.
Beecham/Ardent has informed us that they are prepared to submit their offer to the DDA. We will be sharing this offer with City Council and discussing next steps.
December 20, 2016
Intent Statements for the Southern Skillet
As of December 16, 2016, the DDA received responses to the RFQ (Request for Qualifications) from 10 development teams interested in redeveloping the Southern Skillet Site. This is a strong response and we are excited to be at this point in the process. Read More
September 11, 2016
Questions and Answers: The RFQ/RFP Process for The Southern Skillet
There have been a few questions presented about the RFP/RFQ process and we want to take a moment and answer them. Read More
September 10, 2016
Town Hall 2 - What you missed!
The DDA hosted the second Town Hall on Tuesday, September 6th. The purpose of the meeting was to share the public input we have received so far from our fellow citizens. Over 80 people have stopped and put their ideas down - using the survey form on this blog - of what they would like to see on the Southern Skillet site. Using a "word cloud" we shared how the ideas stacked up - the larger the word, the more often it was repeated. Overwhelmingly, the idea of a grocery or market was the most popular! Read More
August 24, 2016
Town Hall announced for September 6th at the Roswell Historic Cottage
We will hold a Town Hall to discuss ideas from the community on what they would love to see on the Southern Skillet site, what makes a project feasible and viable over time, as well as the next steps for the RFQ/RFP process for the Southern Skillet redevelopment. Read More
July 22, 2016
What is your dream for the Southern Skillet?
This can be the second most exciting step in a redevelopment project - just brainstorming, dreaming, and creating.
Since the most exciting step is opening day when a real, bricks and mortar project is realized - eventually we will have to put feasibility constraints around our ideas. Read More
July 15, 2016
Next Steps for Southern Skillet/Roswell Plaza
Roswell Plaza, affectionately known locally as the Southern Skillet after a beloved breakfast establishment, was acquired by the City of Roswell in early 2016. The DDA executed a lease for the property soon after, for the purpose of management and the pursuing redevelopment of the property. Read More
On Thursday, April 27th the Downtown Development Authority directors voted unanimously to select The Beecham Group as their choice to enter into negotiations with regarding the redevelopment and acquisition of the property. After over 16 months of working through many alternative concepts with the Beecham team, a final plan and offer was presented. Upon reviewing the plan & offer, the DDA voted unanimously on September 25 to turn down the offer. Please read our blog post here with more information on how that difficult decision was reached.
After meeting with the Mayor and City Council on October 6 in a join work session the DDA, the Mayor and City Council instructed the DDA to move forward with the issuance of a new RFP. The RFP calls for a fast-paced turn around for submissions of just two weeks.