Wanting to develop something new but feel like it’s a “Pie in the Sky” idea? Maybe not.

There are funds available to help get your head out of the clouds…

Have you driven by that empty shopping strip imagining what would be great there? Have you fantasized about the potential of that old warehouse being a cool art rental studio? Dreamed of opening a unique restaurant in that historical mill home? Well, your head isn’t in the clouds and the idea isn’t “pie in the sky” either. Wondered what it would be like if you had funds to start a business? Come down to earth and hear this…There are two sources of funding that most haven’t heard about.

• Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund (DDRLF)
  managed by Georgia Department of Community Affairs

• Georgia Cities Foundation Revolving Loan Fund (GCFRLF)
  managed by the Georgia Cities Foundation

Eligible projects must fall within the city designated Downtown Development Authority Area. GOOD NEWS…Roswell happens to have one of the largest DDA areas in the state (See DDA Boundary Map). The two programs vary in rates, terms, and slightly in application process and can be applied for to be used individually or together.  Here is a condensed review to see if your “pie in the sky” qualifies.

Both funds provide capital in the form of a loan that takes a second position to Small Business Administration or construction loan. GOOD NEWS…The Roswell DDA can help you get a slice of these funds!

1. The application process for both opportunities is very similar and begins with creating a scope of work document that includes project costs and a project timeline. This document needs to be detailed and itemized but not necessarily exact.

2. Next, the DDA reviews the Scope of Work document and certifies eligibility based on location and other development criteria and goals as outlined by the DDA and City.

3. If the certification is issued by the DDA then the DDA facilitates an introduction to the CSRs with the different Funds and undergoes a more detailed evaluation – typically taking around 30 days. It is important to note that the DDA certifies eligibility but does not determine if funds will be issued by the Revolving Loan Funds – these are independent evaluations.

Clearly, we too see the treasure in those old crumbly homes rehabilitated into…an office space or retail store, the potential in the empty warehouse as a…brewery or art studios and the opportunities in the tired shopping strip as a… mixed-use redevelopment. Perhaps these funds can make your idea a reality. When it is all done. Let’s then enjoy the pie “on the table” at the amazing The Pie Hole! (BTW, The Pie Hole building was once part of the Roswell Mill factory where a modern idea helped transform it into a new purpose.)

Authors:

Michael Curling - DDA Board Director and liaison for financial investments
Elizabeth Hamilton - H2Oh Marketing, DDA Board Support

 

Southerners often say, development is “Slow as Molasses” around here! Or is it?

Photo Credit: Crazy Love Coffee Shop

The steps that redevelopment goes through…

Does it seem like development just isn’t happening fast enough around Roswell? You see new development pops up in our surrounding cities and ours seem to be “slow as molasses”!  There are few things that come to mind that may help ease your frustration.  Read More

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.

Double take! What’s that BIG yellow sign mean?

Rezoning and Conditional Land Use Application Steps

Have you ever drove past and did a double take to see those BIG yellow signs that mention new development? Curious as to what it means?  What is the project? Has the project been approved or is the process just starting? How will it affect Roswell and my own property? Many questions arise.  Lets first get a better understanding of the “projects” and the steps in which they go through.

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ROSWELL DDA ANNOUNCES DEVELOPER FOR SOUTHERN SKILLET SITE

S.J. Collins Enterprises
Selected to Redevelop Site with Mixed-Use Plan

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.

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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

A quick status update on the Skillet Redevelopment site

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.  

First phase of Boutique Hotel to be presented to Historic Preservation Commission

The first phase of the Boutique Hotel development is set to be presented to the Historic Preservation Commission at their first meeting of 2018 on January 10th at 6 pm.  Meetings are held in the council chambers.

Here are some of the images to be presented at that meeting.

Roswell Residents Meet $10,000 Challenge to Keep Sentience

Roswell Arts Fund is pleased to announce the purchase of its first sculpture from the 2017 ArtAround Roswell sculpture tour. Sentience by Atlanta-based artist David Landis will remain a permanent work-of-art in the Heart of Roswell Park on Canton Street. 

This purchase was made possible by a challenge grant created by the Roswell Downtown Development Authority (Roswell DDA) and the success of Roswell Arts Fund’s Keep the Art!

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Hotel Work Session with the Historic Preservation Commission

The proposed boutique hotel for downtown Roswell is about to begin the application process for Phase 1 by meeting with the HPC in a work session.   The development team will present initial concepts and get feedback from the members of the Commission. There are no approvals or decisions in this meeting as it is for discussion only.  

The meeting will be held February 13 at 1:00 pm at City Hall.  

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.  This is a strong response and we are excited to be at this point in the process!

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IDEAS NEEDED: Roswell Public Art Master Plan

This SURVEY will begin to collect ideas and craft the future of public art in Roswell. Roswell deserves a public art program as fun-loving and complex as its residents!

It only takes a few minutes, please take a moment to add your thoughts and join the conversation as the plan takes shape!

Meeting with HPC to discuss and garner input for the Southern Skillet project scheduled

We have scheduled a joint meeting with the Historic Preservation Commission to discuss the design direction that will be shared with potential development teams in the way of "intent statements".  These will be included in the RFQ for the redevelopment of the Southern Skillet site. 

The meeting is at 1:00 pm in Room 220 at City Hall.  

Please join us if you can!

The RFQ/RFP Process

As we are walking through the RFQ/RFP process - we will be posting information here from time to time to keep everyone informed.   The next step for us is to meet with the Historic Preservation Commission to gather their input on our "Intent Statements" or the criteria that instructs the teams responding to the RFQ/RFP as to our priorities and vision for the property.  This meeting was originally scheduled for this week but, due to some scheduling conflicts, will be rescheduled for early October.  

If you attended the City Council meeting last week - you heard mentioned a letter written to the Mayor and City Council from the DDA.  Here is that letter.  This was written to address the concerns that some members of the Council were having as to when there would be opportunity for input.  We are, and have been, actively engaged in listening to and gathering the opinions of residents and members of the City Council.  In addition, we have met with members of the City Staff to understand the technical and regulatory constraints that exist for this site as well.  

Questions and Answers: The RFQ/RFP Process for The Southern Skillet

There have been a few questions presented about the RFQ/RFP process and we want to take a moment and answer them. 

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