Roswell’s long-running love affair with free downtown parking is about to get a reality check. On Monday, March 9, 2026, the Roswell City Council is scheduled to vote on a plan that would significantly expand paid parking across the downtown core, potentially reshaping how residents and visitors hit Canton Street and the surrounding blocks.
What’s On The Ballot
Under the draft proposal, the new Green Street parking deck would be converted to paid parking, along with nearby city-owned surface and gravel lots, including the lot at 1056 Green Street. The City Hall and Cultural Arts Center lots would also move to managed, pay-to-park rules, as would a portion of Hill Street between Atlanta and Forrest.
On-street parking on Canton Street, Elizabeth Way, and East Alley would remain paid under the plan. The policy would also add new definitions and enforcement language so the rules are actually workable in the field, according to WSB‑TV.
Businesses Warn Of Fallout
Downtown restaurant and shop owners are not exactly thrilled. They argue that free parking is one of the main reasons people are willing to brave Canton Street traffic, and they worry meters could mean fewer casual visits and shorter stays.
“Free. We would like to keep it free. I think it brings more people out here,” one worker told WSB‑TV.
Reporting by Atlanta News First highlighted city documents that project far higher parking revenue targets than recent collections, which has fueled concerns that Roswell might lean on longer paid hours or broader enforcement in order to hit future budget goals.
Staff Recommendation And The Numbers
City staff have recommended rolling out pay-to-park at the Green Street deck and attached cost estimates to the plan. According to the proposal, annual parking expenses could reach roughly $800,000, and waiving fees for residents at the deck would trim about $400,000 from potential revenue.
The draft policy would keep the City Hall and Cultural Arts Center lots free Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and city employees would continue to park there at no charge. The agenda item also ties the start of paid parking to the opening of the Green Street deck, according to Appen Media.
Where The Deck Fits In
The downtown parking deck itself is part of a voter-approved bond program. Roswell selected a design-build team to deliver roughly 395 spaces, and officials say the structure is expected to be finished by summer 2026. City messaging around the project has put a strong emphasis on resident access and incentives for locals, which is a big reason timing and the fine print of any paid parking rules have become politically sensitive in recent weeks. For more background on the deck and the broader bond program, see Roswell Connections.
Next Steps
Council members are set to take up the pay-to-park policy at their March 9 meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. They are also expected to consider related zoning definitions and bond authorizations tied to downtown projects at the same session.
The meeting will stream on the city’s official channels, and residents can weigh in during public comment for those who prefer to make their case at the microphone. Meeting materials and the specific agenda item are available online, according to Appen Media. The council’s vote will decide whether downtown Roswell mostly keeps its free-parking status quo or pivots to a tighter, paid-parking model aimed at covering long-term operating costs.
