The City of Roswell is embarking on a crucial step toward building its much-anticipated downtown parking deck. During their Special Called Mayor and City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 26, Roswell’s elected officials unanimously approved the award of a design-build contract in the amount of $14,485,600 to Winter Construction. The firm will handle both the design and construction of the new deck, which will be located in the historic downtown district at the corner of Green Street and Hwy. 9. The City of Roswell anticipates completion of the parking deck by summer 2026.
“The City of Roswell is thrilled to take this important step forward by awarding the design-build contract for our downtown parking deck—a project made possible by the incredible support of Roswell taxpayers,” said Mayor Kurt Wilson. “This has been a true team effort, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our hardworking City staff for their expertise and professionalism, as well as to our elected officials for their vision and leadership. This parking deck is more than just infrastructure—it’s an investment in our City’s future, supporting economic growth and enhancing quality of life for years to come.”
This parking deck is more than just infrastructure—it’s an investment in our City’s future, supporting economic growth and enhancing quality of life for years to come.”
Mayor Kurt Wilson
Unlike a traditional approach to project construction in which clients work with a designer or architect separately from a general contractor, a design-build approach is a streamlined, single-source method in which one firm provides both the architectural/engineering design services and physical construction under one contract. Benefits include a more efficient process with a single point of accountability, resulting in faster delivery completion and cost savings.
Winter Construction was among nine firms that submitted proposals for the City of Roswell’s parking deck project this past summer. An evaluation committee including representatives from the City of Roswell’s Environmental/Public Works Department and Transportation Department reviewed, scored, and interviewed the top three firms. Winter Construction earned the highest scores for their technical proposal and interview performance and offered the lowest costs of all three bids.
The Atlanta-based firm was established more than 60 years ago and has worked extensively throughout the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions, providing commercial construction services across hospitality, government, education, and other sectors. Most recently, Winter Construction completed the City of Woodstock’s parking garage and projects for other municipalities, including the Snellville parking deck, Forsyth County courthouse, and East Point city hall.
Winter Construction’s design proposes 395 planned parking spots and incorporates aesthetic details that align with the City’s Historic District, including a brick façade, architectural parapets and metalwork, tower-like corner stairwells, and variation in the depth of the exterior walls to add dimension and interest to the structure. The design also incorporates large windows and openings to maximize light and airflow.
About the Parking Deck and Green Street Activation Project
In recent years, the City of Roswell’s downtown historic district has become increasingly more popular as a regional destination for dining, shopping, special events, and tourism. However, the limitations of the City’s historic street network have resulted in mobility and parking challenges.
In April 2021, a parking study suggested that a well-located garage with sufficient capacity could help keep vehicles out of the historic center, encourage longer visits, and invite more people to enjoy and patronize businesses in Roswell’s downtown. In November 2022, voters overwhelmingly approved $179.6 million in bond funds, including $20 million for the City to build a parking deck.
In March 2024, after assessing eight potential sites, Roswell City Council approved the location for a parking deck in the historic downtown district at the corner of Green Street and Hwy. 9, across from the new Southern Post development.
To enhance connectivity and safety near the parking deck, City Council also approved the Green Street Activation Plan, which proposes converting Green Street to a one-way, southbound road; incorporating a wide, brick-paved, multi-use trail; improving lighting and landscaping along the street; and converting Plum Tree Street (which is currently a one-way road between Canton Street and Green Street) to a brick-paved multi-use trail that provides direct access to Canton Street.
About the Design
Careful attention has been paid to ensuring the parking deck design fits seamlessly within the surrounding architectural landscape.
Design Context: Blending Historic and Modern Elements in Downtown Roswell
One of the primary design considerations was the proximity to the historic Mason’s Lodge and its original classic Greek Revival style. The new deck was thoughtfully designed to echo and complement that traditional aesthetic, recognizing the Lodge’s importance as a landmark in our community. Additionally, the architect considered the contemporary Southern Post development, located just across Highway 9, creating a thoughtful visual balance between the old and the new.
Beyond these individual influences, the architect took a comprehensive approach by studying the character of our entire Historic District. This broader perspective allowed the team to design a structure that doesn’t just coexist with its surroundings but enhances them.
Architectural Interest from All Sides
Recognizing that a parking deck is, at its core, a massive concrete structure, the design team placed a strong emphasis on what is placed on the outside of that concrete. This deck will feature full architectural façades on all four sides—an uncommon but deliberate choice. In many cities, facades might only adorn the most visible sides of a parking structure. Here, the design ensures every angle contributes positively to the streetscape, with details that honor the surrounding architecture.
Safety, Openness, and Design Details
User experience and safety were also top priorities. The deck has been designed with openness in mind, even at the subterranean level. Large, window-like openings, particularly on the first floor, allow natural light to filter into the structure, creating a sense of comfort and visibility for users. Additional architectural details, like the thoughtfully designed parapets at the top of the structure, act almost like crown molding—elevating the aesthetic in subtle but meaningful ways.
Landscaping
Equally important was the treatment of the property surrounding the deck. The design includes beautiful plantings and carefully considered landscaping to soften the visual impact and integrate the structure more naturally into the environment. This attention to detail reflects the City’s commitment to building not just functional infrastructure, but spaces that contribute to the beauty and character of our community.
Future Parking Policies
The City of Roswell is currently contemplating its parking policies to determine how downtown parking will operate in the future. The City is focused on creating well-managed parking strategies that support local businesses, reduce congestion, and improve visitor experiences.
To help shape these future policies, the City is actively collecting and analyzing data about parking usage and will be organizing meetings with community members and local businesses to discuss parking policies, shared parking costs, and long-term economic development strategies. The City will share details about these upcoming meetings, which are expected to begin in spring 2025.
