Southern Skillet Redevelopment Goes Back Out To Bid

ROSWELL, GA — The Roswell Downtown Development Authority has issued another request for proposals for ideas to redevelop the property once home to Southern Skillet.

The DDA said Wednesday that, at the direction of the City Council, it has issued the second request to redevelop the shopping center. Now, proponents will have just two weeks to submit their concepts for consideration. Submissions are due at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, and they must be delivered to the Council Chambers at Roswell City Hall.

According to the DDA's website, an anticipated selection date for a finalist is set to occur in December and the target date for the execution of a sale and purchase agreement could come later in that month.

The second request for proposals comes a month after the DDA said it wrapped up the procurement process after without securing a contract with Beecham/Ardent to redevelop the site. Beecham/Arden was chosen in April 2017 as the finalist to redevelop the site. That team, the DDA said, was thorough in its planning efforts, but encountered "significant market changes" while putting the final touches on their proposal.

Its project would have also required them to obtain a conditional use to accommodate 250 apartment units on the site. That would have been more than 126-units that were approved in 2016 by Roswell's elected officials.

"The RDDA believes the developer’s proposal and offer do not meet the objectives, desires and best interests of the Roswell community," the agency said at the time.

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Roswell Plaza, affectionately known by locals as the Southern Skillet property after a beloved breakfast establishment, was acquired by the city in early 2016. The shopping center is situated on 4.274 acres near the intersection of Alpharetta Street and Norcross Street. The DDA executed a lease for the property soon after the purchase for the purpose of pursuing redevelopment opportunities for the property.

You can click here for details about the second request for proposals process.

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