Company Chosen To Redevelop Southern Skillet Site

ROSWELL, GA — After hitting a snag last year in its plans to redevelop a struggling shopping center, the Roswell Downtown Development Authority has chosen a developer to revamp the Southern Skillet Site just north of the central core of the city.

The DDA has tapped S.J. Collins to redevelop the site, which is located along Alpharetta Highway just south of Fraser Street. The DDA said it expects to sign a purchase and sale agreement with the company for $5 million. Closing on the property should occur in June and construction could begin by the end of the year.

"I am very excited we have entered into a purchase and sale agreement with SJ Collins," Mayor Lori Henry said in a statement. "It will truly be a catalyst for redevelopment in this area. I look forward to seeing this project to fruition and making this area an even more vibrant gathering place for our residents and visitors."

According to Collins' proposal, plans call for constructing 70,740 square feet of space that will accommodate restaurants, offices, shops and a boutique grocery store. The retail portion will be supported by 260 parking spaces.

Collins is also shooting for 128 apartment units and eight townhouses, which would also include 196 resident parking spaces. Prices for the townhomes are expected to range between $650,000 and $850,000, and the apartments are projected to lease starting at $2.05 per square foot.

The plans also include 6,000 to 8,000 square of greenspace, small parks and "outdoor gathering points will contribute to the overall sense of community by providing a place for relaxation and interaction," according to the proposal. You can check out the proposal by clicking here.

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The approval of these plans comes months after the DDA, at the direction of the City Council, issued a second request in October 2018 to redevelop the shopping center. That move came a month after the organization said it wrapped up the procurement process after without securing a contract with Beecham/Ardent to redevelop the site. Beecham had been chosen in April 2017 as the finalist to redevelop the site. That team was thorough in its planning efforts, but encountered "significant market changes" while putting the final touches on their proposal, the DDA previously said.

S.J. Collins is headquartered in Fairburn, and developed Peachtree Station in Chamblee, North Decatur Square near Atlanta and Victory Station in Savannah.

"Our team looks forward to the opportunity to bring a dynamic and diverse customer experience to this thriving and emerging location," said Jeff Garrison, partner at S.J. Collins Enterprises. "As the retail environment evolves and shoppers look for more experienced based outings, mixed-use hubs like this one will draw consumers with its energy, easy accessibility and assorted retail and dining choices."

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