ROSWELL, Georgia. – A historic building will be preserved following a vote by the Roswell City Council Monday night. The old Methodist Church, located near the corner of Alpharetta and Green Street, will be preserved.
The pre-Civil War building dates back to 1859 and was used as a church until 1920. In 1952, the building became the headquarters of the local Masonic lodge.
The building is located right next to where a parking deck was to be built. The city wanted to acquire the building through expropriation and build a pedestrian zone and walkways to provide safe and easy access from the parking deck to the city center.
The plan aroused the anger of local residents.
“It was so important to many residents that the city council decided to save it,” said Jerri Wood, a former mayor of the city.
At a Roswell City Council meeting in April, numerous residents opposed the plan, saying it would erase history.
The city decided to purchase 1.13 acres of land for nearly $4 million and preserve the property as an open-air pavilion as part of the Green Street Activation Plan.
“The city has chosen to preserve part of its history, which is important,” Wood said.
During the same meeting, a presentation was also made discussing conservation plans.
