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

 

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!

The Trees on City Green - a perspective

Thoughts shared during the Open Forum on March 29, 2016, Roswell, Georgia

by resident and landscape designer, Jen Perissi

Tonight, I would like to speak in support of the City Green by offering my expertise, hopefully to alleviate some concerns that have been repeatedly discussed about the project. 

First, my expertise, which is in my knowledge of trees, landscape design and maintenance. I hold a master of landscape architecture degree and I've worked in both private and public sector positions over the past 15 years. In the private sector, I worked for three firms, one of which previously served as a consultant to the City of Roswell. For several years, I held a landscape designer position in Grounds Dept at the University of Georgia. While there, I wrote a grant that resulted in the designation of the Athens Campus as a Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation, for which we inventoried almost 8,000 campus trees. 

All this is to say -- that I know, and love trees. So, when I say that the removal of existing trees to make way for the City Green is not a significant loss, please understand this is not a statement that I make lightly.

Most of the trees proposed for removal are young loblolly pines intermixed with just a few hardwoods, namely oaks. Without getting into a lengthy explanation about forest development, I can say that of the mix of trees that we have in the front of City Hall will not sustain itself as a healthy urban forest in the long term. As most Georgians know, pine trees grow quickly and also break and uproot easily. While, they help to jumpstart the growth of companion hardwoods-- when not thinned intentionally or by mother nature, the effect they have on the growth of nearby hardwoods does not usually result in healthy or attractive shade trees. This is the condition we have now in front of City Hall. It's like an overgrown lawn of pines with what might have been a few nice hardwoods, with intentional thinning and management. 

Secondly, the relocation of the Faces of War memorial has been discussed with so much emotion around it. For good reason, it is a moving tribute to veterans and should be a place of reflection. As such an intimate memorial, it has always been puzzling to me why it was sited so close to a major roadway. Particularly, as we have discussed tonight, because it is often necessary for road corridors to change in order to adapt or control new uses. Memorials should be protected, and in order to protect and enhance the experience of the Faces of War, it makes sense that it must move to be more thoughtfully placed to ensure its future. 

Lastly, beloved places that are highly valued by people do not just appear. Sometimes it takes decades for the qualities to evolve that make valued public places. This is perhaps the most frustrating and rewarding aspect of being a landscape architect. Young trees eventually become great trees that provide shade, shelter and shape to the spaces people congregate and enjoy -- design consultants must use their expertise to envision and design for future places and people. 

This is the way we, as a community, must approach City Green. We may need to sacrifice our own comfort on hot days until the new shade trees have the chance to grow. We may need to accept that sometimes "in perpetuity" can allow for some flexibility in order to enhance and protect. 

To close, I'll return back to Athens and one of the most beloved places in the Classic City-- the North Campus Lawn. For those who don't know it, it is the green backdrop to the first buildings on campus dating back to 1801- and it is also the vast green that extends out to the historic downtown and welcomes visitors onto campus. The oldest and most majestic of the oak trees standing are 100-150 years old. However, most, if not all of these were intentionally planted to replace what time or convention had removed.

Roswell has the same opportunity to adjoin its public and commercial spaces with this City Green. The proposed lawn and its flanking trees will be maintained as a place for gathering and connecting, and the trees will have the chance to grow into healthy shade trees. Though I doubt it will not take nearly so long for City Green to become a place for celebrations, proposals, reflection, recreation and everyday use. I expect many of those occasions will happen immediately, IF we are willing to be patient and plant for the future.