Initial Thoughts on Riverwalk Village

Image: Duke Land Group

The big news this week in Roswell is the $500 million mixed-use project called Riverwalk Village that is being proposed for the southeast quadrant of the Holcomb Bridge/GA400 interchange (paywall link).  Dunwoody based Duke Land Group announced on Tuesday that they will be seeking rezoning to allow for a massive development that could rival Avalon in size.  The AJC broke the story in Wednesday's paper with some details but little in the way of imagery.  

I've been able to find one rendering but have not been able to come up with a site plan yet (stay tuned).

Here are the high level details from the AJC article with my thoughts.

• 1,556 residences, including active adult housing, single-family attached housing and multifamily units that could be apartments or condos.  - This is about half of what the Roswell East (aka Charlie Brown) project had proposed.  I see this level of density being a major problem for the vocal NIMBYs on the east side of town.
• Nearly a half-million square feet of space for restaurants and retailers, including a grocery store. - This is a LOT of space.  I'm not sure what to think yet but it wil
• 1.7 million square feet of office space spread across several mid-rise buildings. That amount of office space is slightly more than the total floor space of Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta.  - Again, this is a LOT of space but the 400 corridor is booming and I'm not doubting this can and would be filled.
• A hotel with 200 rooms. - Yes PLEASE.  We need another hotel to compete with the Doubletree.  I would like to see one closer to the historic district though.
• A Swift School campus, a private institution for children with language difficulties. - This is a nice addition and will be a good fit.
• About 43 percent of the property would be preserved as green space with passive and active recreation amenities, such as walking trails that would connect to nearby neighborhoods and the Chattahoochee River. - I don't see that there would be any way to avoid this given the proximity to the river.  It will be a great addition.
• An existing apartment community known as Marquis Trace would be demolished. - Great news.  That think is a big POS and significantly underutilizes the land.

I think it's ambitious but doable given that this is one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in North Fulton.  I'm unsure of the developer's background but I'm optimistic.  My biggest concern is the vocal NIMBY force that will organize to once again defeat a project in that area.

So, that's the summary.  As this progresses, it will be one of the biggest stories in Roswell.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the project progresses and wish the developers luck in implementing what I hope will be a great addition to the city of Roswell.

Comments

[Tony Wilbert]

Here's a link to the official press release from the development team. My PR firm, The Wilbert Group, represents them.

http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/11/06/680717/10106839/en/Plans-Unveiled-for-an-Ecologically-Driven-Mixed-Use-Development-in-Roswell.html

[Randy Schultz]

If this doesn't get done we should ask Alpharetta to annex us. Would be nice if we could build another bridge over 400 so we could connect this project to Historic Roswell and a future MARTA station. However that would take leadership so no....

[Kevin Keith]

Interesting points and as a Roswell resident (Historic Roswell area), I believe this property should be intensely DENSE. One way or another, future MARTA rail will go right through this property. Too bad Roswell NIMBY's will ensure this will die a death by a thousand cuts. Heads up, Alpharetta. More Roswell rejected projects coming your way as our aging strip malls and apartments continue to rot.

[T D]

I really hope this happens. I hope the against voices are not too loud. They will say no to everything except status quo.

[Jennifer Liang]

I live in Martins Landing and my neighbors are already discussing this project. It doesn't seem like much opposition to it, just lots of questions.

[Greg Ramsey]

Over 1500 residences? The GA400/ Holcomb Bridge interchange is already almost unusable due to traffic. This plan better have some great plans for accommodating all of those extra cars.

[Michael D Hadden]

@ Tony - Thanks for passing along the PR release. Some good info there that wasn't in the AJC article. Will they be opening up a social media presence? Take a page from NAP and their Avalon social media presence.

@ Randy & Kevin - I feel you guys! Having to drive to Alpharetta every day makes me feel like Roswell is missing the boat in a huge way. Keep hope alive :)

@ TD & Jennifer - I'm just going to stay positive. There will be a lot of negativity but I think this project will get off the ground.

@ Greg - They are going to have to make some changes to the interchange. The early off ramp from 400N will help a bit but that won't be enough. I'm going to be posting my thoughts on transportation this week.

[Kevin Keith]

@ Michael - I'm really hoping this project will break the NIMBY cycle in Roswell, so I will stay positive. I'm also going to stay engaged and show up to Planning meetings and votes. We need more voices of true urbanism and common sense in Roswell City Hall.

[Michael D Hadden]

I'll see you at City Hall Kevin! Looking forward to seeing this project progress.

[Bethany]

I commute during rush hour into Atlanta daily. It is extremely hard for me to imagine that anyone would be pro adding 1500 units to an already over burdened on / off ramp to 400. This will greatly impact anyone that needs to work or do anything in the city. The fact of the matter is our current infrastructure cannot accomodate such a large development without negatively impacting the quality of lives of current Roswell residents. If we fix the infrastructure problem, then we can consider this kind of a project, but it takes years and years to correct these kind of issues and I am not willing to spend an extra 20 minutes each way on my commute so we can have a few more options to eat around town. I am a big fan of Avalon and renovating old spaces. I think we should do something but at a smaller scale until we can accomodate this kind of a development.

[michael]

You could just make them upgrade the road like they did with Avalon.

[Ellen]

I live in Historic Roswell and we need to bring the East to us and this development will not only bring us together and put us on the map following Avalon, which is a huge success, but having the river and a lake will make it incredible. I just came back from Naples and saw Venetian Village on the water just like an Avalon or Riverwalk. I told them at Avalon they were missing water and then I read about Riverwalk. I am thrilled about this project. That area is so blighted and gets worse by the day. We would be fools to let that group NIMBY whoever they are destroy what Roswell desperately needs. The traffic will be worked out but the economic rewards will be phenominal. Look at Avalon already. North Fulton needs class and we are finally getting the message. Tear down all the strips malls and go for this beautiful urban feeling and style with water. We have a river, lets make it work for us. I guarantee that it will be a big hit even if it has to be trimmed down a bit. The feel and look and quality is what we desperately need here.