Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 11:38AM 
Another demolition has been approved by the Historic Preservation Commission in Roswell's Historic District. This little house is very run down and has been vacant for 15+ years. If you aren't familar with it, it is the southernmost house on the east side of Highway 9 as you head south toward the river. Hopefully something nice is in store here.
Monday, September 17, 2012 at 10:25PM In yesterday's NUR Update, I mentioned that there is a vote this week on whether a demolition request will be approved for the old red building that sits vacant at 647 Atlanta Street and the old shed structure that sits behind it on Maple Street. This is the first step toward realization of an incredible vision that was proposed by Andres Duany in the Historic Gateway Master Plan. Please take the time to contact the Historic Preservation Commission if you are in favor of approval of this demolition and consider attending the meeting on Wednesday at 6pm at City Hall. We need all the help we can get in order.
Local resident and world renowned architect, designer and town planner, Lew Oliver, issued a call to action to ensure those who are in favor of progress are heard. Read Lew's Letter. The key point that Lew makes is this:
The issue is not that the structures are historic…they are in fact. They contain 19th century materials and traces of the past. They are, however, very much compromised, obscured, to use preservationist jargon. The larger issue is that they are in the direct path of progress. The progress I am referring to is not as it has been in our recent past, where great buildings, streets, or the environment are sacrificed for the sake of a degraded landscape, which currently surrounds and in fact forms the spine of our City. The progress I am referring to is the implementation of the Andres Duany (DPZ) scheme for providing Roswell with a real heart, a commercial and civic realm with no equal in North Georgia.
Below are some images of the current situation versus what has been proposed and what is the vision that the land owners have in mind.
Current Structure
This building has been empty for 10+ years. The one behind it on Maple St has been vacant much longer. At some point, it's time to admit that this building has realized all of it's potential and it's time to move on.
Current versus the Master Plan Vision
The red shaded area is the space that the two buildings occupy. As you can see, this spot is critical to realizing the overall vision.
The Master Plan Vision
This is the vision of what we could see. This is looking south from Oxbo. The property in question would be part of the development in the upper right of this rendering.
Monday, September 17, 2012 at 10:06PM This post is an email that was distributed today to members of the Roswell community by local resident and world renowned architect, designer and town planner Lew Oliver. Lew is passionate about seeing Roswell move in the right direction and has influenced countless plans and designs here in Roswell with one of the most notable being the redevelopment of the Old Bricks into an incredible cluster of high end residences in Mill Village. Please take a moment and read his call to action regarding the upcoming vote on a demolition permit for two old structures in Historic Roswell...
This Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. The Roswell Historic Preservation Commission will convene to review a request for the demolition of 2 structures located on South Atlanta Street, just north of the Square (adjacent to and to the left of Spiced Right BBQ). These structures contain historic material likely from the mid-late 19th century. Adam Orkin will be the developer with the mission, a man brave and resolute in helping us in the reconstruction agenda.
The issue is not that the structures are historic…they are in fact. They contain 19th century materials and traces of the past. They are, however, very much compromised, obscured, to use preservationist jargon. The larger issue is that they are in the direct path of progress. The progress I am referring to is not as it has been in our recent past, where great buildings, streets, or the environment are sacrificed for the sake of a degraded landscape, which currently surrounds and in fact forms the spine of our City. The progress I am referring to is the implementation of the Andres Duany (DPZ) scheme for providing Roswell with a real heart, a commercial and civic realm with no equal in North Georgia. Andres is commonly known as the world's greatest living town planner. I for one, will promote his brilliant vision above other agendas. This new town center will provide our neighborhoods vital neighborhood services, increased pedestrianism, and will begin to transform Roswell from blight to brilliance. It is the next historic district.
Most of you know that I am a former Historic Preservation member myself, having partnered with many of you in restoring the Old Bricks, amongst other projects. I do not take this position lightly. But there is the big picture to consider…one which will usher in new vitality to a musty historic district. This is the course of great places. To remain the same is decidedly non-historic in world history.
Staff will likely recommend denial, unless their mission now includes the new vision. All major projects in the Mill Village that we now accept as a part of our neighborhood fabric, (both phases of the Old Bricks) were not recommended by staff. They are charged with "preservation" agenda above the creation of place. This is standard issue, one which is sanctioned by the Department of the Interior (whose presence is not evident here). We must help them change. Please be present if you have something to say.
--
Lew Oliver
Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 09:53PM
The Ponce City Market project is possibly the biggest non-transportation project going on in our region currently. When it is all said and done, it will be an amazing reuse of one of Atlanta's most iconic historic buildings. We are used to seeing great reuse of historic properties here in Roswell. However, all too often, we see old historic properties in Atlanta suffer from severe neglect and end up being bulldozed.
Jamestown Properties is renovating the old City Hall East/Sears Building into a huge mixed-use building in the heart of the Old Fourth Ward. There will be over 300k sq ft of retail, 400k sq ft of office and 250 residential units. I can't wait to see the finished product in early 2014. The video below is the best preview I have seen on what to expect...
Monday, May 14, 2012 at 11:25PM
Friday, April 13, 2012 at 10:26PM
All images provided courtesy of Duany Plater-Zyberk