(ROSWELL, Ga.) — It’s a go-to destination in Roswell, but this summer, you won’t be able to go to it in your car.
Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson says they’ll close Canton Street to vehicles starting Memorial Day, in a trial run to see if it should be permanent. The idea is making the street lined with popular restaurants and stores more pedestrian- and family-friendly.
“One of our dreams is to re-imagine it like, for example, to have really a promenade long-term down Canton Street, like you would in Barcelona,” says Wilson. He thinks it will be good for consumers and businesses alike.
Jenna Aronowitz owns 1920Tavern, and balks at the idea of shutting off vehicle traffic all summer long.
Reactions are a mixed bag, however, among Canton Street’s businesspeople. Some residents and business owners plan to protest the proposal.
“It would be detrimental,” she says. “We already have a major parking problem.”
Aronowitz opines that an already-planned parking deck needs to be built first.
CBD and More storeowner Tommy Williams also says that the parking is already a hassle in historic Roswell, but he believes the idea has potential.
“As long as the foot traffic feels safe, the pedestrians feel safe about walking through Roswell, I think we’re in the right spot,” he says.
The Canton Street closure between Webb and Elizabeth Streets is planned to continue through Labor Day.