Roswell Hires Water Plant Engineering Firm

Despite recent concerns from the Grimes Bridge Parkways community over a third, more prominent site, for the city's proposed new water plant near Waller Park, Roswell city staff say nothing is final yet.

Roswell City Council hired Jacobs Engineering Group for $1.2 million during its Monday, Dec. 17 meeting. The firm will handle the design and construction oversight services of the new plant.

According to the city, six engineering firms responded to the request for proposals and three firms were shortlisted. Jacobs was recommended to council for its "greater breadth" of similar project experience, Public Works Director Stuart Moring told council.

Speaking to the issue of currently proposed sites, Moring also noted that the firm will consider alternatives that are available.

They are "committed to a special workshop in January to hear input from the community and find the optimum solution that will satisfy both the technical needs and the needs of the community," he said.

Kent Igleheart, council liaison to the Public Works Department, said that Jacobs will bring "fresh eyes to bring to the process" of helping select the best site for the water plant.

"They will evaluate several alternatives and help us to discern the best solution to move forward on that," Moring said.

Grimes Bridge Parkways organizer, Seth Freedman, thanked the council, staff and consultants for their continued efforts to work with community members in finding a location that is least obtrusive to both local neighborhoods and Waller Park.

The city is expected to hold a special called work session to gather additional feedback from the community on Jan. 28 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.