An update on priorities, projects, and what comes next- February 18, 2026
Last month, Roswell’s Mayor and City leadership gathered for their Leadership annual retreat from January 20-22 a working session focused on aligning goals and setting direction for the year ahead. On February 13, they opened the doors to the community to report back on what came out of those conversations and how those ideas are already shaping projects across the city.
Mayor Mary Robichaux began the recap by connecting the dots between the retreat discussions and the day-to-day work residents see happening around Roswell.
The retreat reaffirmed several guiding principles: clear priorities, transparent communication, responsible financial stewardship, and strong collaboration between elected officials, staff, and the community. In short, the “why” behind City decisions should be just as visible as the projects themselves.
From there, Deputy City Administrators walked residents through updates on several major initiatives.
Parking: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
One of the biggest conversations happening in many growing downtowns — including Roswell — is how to manage parking in a way that works for residents, visitors, and businesses.
City staff shared an overview of a proposed parking fee structure for City-owned spaces. The goal isn’t simply to charge for parking, but to create a system that:
- Supports maintenance and operations
- Funds future parking infrastructure
- Stays comparable with peer communities
- Maintains fairness and accessibility
The framework is still being evaluated, and feedback will continue to help shape the final approach.
Old Mill Park: Preserving History While Improving Access
Old Mill Park is one of Roswell’s most recognizable and beloved locations — and also one of its most sensitive.
Leadership discussed the balancing act required when planning for the site’s future: protecting historic resources and the environment while improving safety and accessibility for visitors. Long-term planning is underway to ensure the park remains both protected and usable for generations to come.
Fire Station 27: Investing in Faster Response Times
Public safety remains a core priority, and Fire Station 27 represents a major investment in that commitment.
City staff presented updates on the station’s location analysis, conceptual design, timeline, and next steps. The project is intended to improve emergency response times and expand service coverage in key areas of the community.
Residents will have an opportunity to learn more and share input at a public information meeting planned for March 2026 at East Roswell Park. Details will be announced soon.
Comprehensive Plan: Shaping the Next 20 Years
Roswell’s Comprehensive Plan — the long-range roadmap guiding land use, transportation, housing, economic development, and environmental policy — is currently being updated.
The February 13 recap highlighted ongoing community engagement and upcoming milestones. The plan helps determine how Roswell grows while maintaining the character residents value.
Continuing the Conversation
The February session was designed to keep residents informed not just about decisions, but about the reasoning behind them. To support that effort, the City has made additional materials available, including project presentations and a recording of the recap meeting.
This update builds on the January retreat conversation — moving from goal-setting into implementation — and the City will continue sharing progress as projects advance and community feedback is gathered.
You can explore related stories and updates throughout the year on Roswell Connections as these initiatives move forward.
To access the presentations, visit:
https://library.municode.com/ga/roswell/munidocs/munidocs?nodeId=8d62f2009ca1a
