ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell City Council approved the purchase of properties to become its new Public Safety Headquarters on Monday, according to its website.
The Roswell Summit Office Buildings, located at 1080 Holcomb Bridge Road, will serve as the new headquarters for both the Roswell Police Department and the Fire Department.
During a "Special Called Mayor and Council Meeting" on Monday, July 29, city council members unanimously approved the contract to purchase the property. The decision follows a selection process among eight other potential sites, with officials saying the Summit property was the most suitable due to its central location and existing facilities.
“Public safety is a vital priority in Roswell, especially as our city grows,” said Mayor Kurt Wilson. “In 2022, Roswell voters overwhelmingly supported a bond referendum that included a new Public Safety Headquarters. Since that time, we have been working to identify the most ideal location for a centrally located headquarters, and we’re excited to take a major step in delivering on that promise with the purchase of this site.”
The City of Roswell said it would purchase the property for $8 million, a significant reduction from the initial asking price of $19.5 million.
The city said the Roswell Police Department and Fire Department have outgrown their current office spaces for years. The Police Department, with more than 160 employees, operates out of a cramped facility on Hill Street, while the Fire Department has been forced to convert closets into office space at its administrative building on Hembree Road.
By purchasing the Summit property, the city avoids the high costs and uncertainties associated with constructing a new building. Estimates suggest building a new facility would cost around $54 million, excluding land costs.
The new headquarters is part of Roswell's broader effort to enhance its public safety infrastructure. Earlier this year, the city purchased the former Sharp Shooters building on Highway 9 to serve as the city’s 911 Center.
Mayor Wilson and the City Council have also approved increased pay for police and fire personnel, transitioned the Fire Department to a full-time staffing model, and launched a pilot program for a new shift schedule.
