ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell is looking into the possibility of developing what they are calling a historic women's soccer stadium and anchored entertainment district.
The city council unanimously approved a letter of intent between the city and the United Soccer League (USL) on Monday. The agreement stipulates an exclusive nine-month negotiating period through the end of the year. There is also an option to extend negotiations - if needed - past the Dec. 31, 2024 agreement.
Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson said at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon that the city is currently in the first round of negotiations. He believes that the latest potential development could help the state of Georgia and the surrounding sister cities.
"This is not just about Roswell," said Mayor Wilson. "This is going to be a true multipurpose venue, and I think the envisioning of this is going to be so widespread and incredible. There are going to be so many people coming to enjoy this."
Mayor Wilson said that plans for the idea of a stadium in Roswell began in July 2021 when leaders believed that the city had to potential to have its own stadium, but the specific project had been in the talks for over a year.
USL Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis outlined why Roswell was chosen as the city for the potential stadium instead of Atlanta at Tuesday's news conference.
"When we were looking at Atlanta, a couple of factors came to mind. Atlanta United really showed the potential for soccer in the city. Then I think a lot of the credit has to go to the Braves for really showing the potential for a stadium-anchored development, he said. "The city partner is so critical because it's so multidimensional and we had such a large vision."
Roswell is Papadakis's hometown. He feels the decision is monumental for women's soccer.
"It's so important that the tens of thousands of little girls that play, they can go and say, 'if I work hard and put in the work, I can play on ESPN just like the boys,'" said Papadakis. "There has been so much investment in men's sports across the country and definitely in Georgia and Atlanta, and to have a stadium that provides an equal platform for the women to showcase and have a first-class fan experience is critical."
If a deal is reached, the stadium will be home to a professional women’s soccer team competing in the Division One-sanctioned USL Super League and a USL Championship professional men’s team.
“The City of Roswell is excited to enter into exclusive negotiations with the USL to potentially bring women’s and men’s professional soccer to Roswell,” Mayor Kurt Wilson said in a news release.
The location for the potential entertainment district and multi-use stadium has not been selected yet. Mayor Wilson said the city and USL have some sites in mind and are in the early stages of making sure transportation will be feasible.
Mayor Wilson added that as the city and USL narrow in on a site, they plan to be transparent with the community about how the development could affect them.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity for our City. Although we are just at the beginning of the process and many details will have to be worked through, we are looking forward to exploring possibilities with the USL," Wilson added. "Being home to a new entertainment district, a multi-purpose stadium, and two professional soccer teams would be a huge economic driver and point of pride for the City of Roswell.”
The stadium would seat at least 10,000, and the USL would serve as both the “anchor tenant” of the stadium and would have the right of first refusal to serve as the stadium operator/manager, the news release said.
Mayor Wilson said that although the negotiations are in the early stages, they plan to introduce a town hall that will include the public later.