Items Tagged ‘mixed-use’
Buyer Sought For Roosevelt Road Firehouse
Synopsis:
The old Engine Company 18 Firehouse, dating back to 1873, has sat vacant and unused since 2008. Nearly two years later, the City of Chicago will release a request for proposal on March 15th. The City would prefer a commercial or mixed-use redevelopment, and has stated that proposed projects must adaptively reuse the building and encourages maintaining the facade which has been in place since 1916. Although the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago had originally hoped to add the building to its cultural offerings, the City appears to be going down a different route.
Rock Bay Plan Passes Muster
Publication Date:
February 5, 2010Written By:
Bill CleverleySource:
The Victoria Times ColonistRead more...
Synopsis:
A proposal to convert a former warehouse in the Rock Bay district of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is moving forward after planning and land-use committee recommended the proposal go to public hearing. The plan calls for a rezoning to turn the former warehouse last used as a kayak retail and rental outlet into a ground-floor commercial building with 25 one-bedroom and studio apartments on the top two floors. The apartments would be owned and managed by the Greater Victoria Housing Society and rented to low-income singles most likely working in low-wage or entry-level jobs. “The rezoning covers both 555 Pembroke, recently renovated for office use, and 575 Pembroke for the commercial/apartment development. Allowable ground-floor uses would include offices, bakeries, financial institutions, retail sales, call centres, drycleaners, restaurants, high tech and artisan trades. The same zoning would apply to 555 Pembroke but residential use will not be allowed.” The building at 555 Pembroke was built in 1914 as a B.C. Electrical Trolley office and repair shop while 575 Pembroke, built in 1939, has been used as a machine shop, warehouse, light manufacturing and retail space.
IDA Adaptive Reuse Policy to Benefit Restorations
Synopsis:
The Eire County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA) passed a new Adaptive Reuse Policy to help encourage the private sector to convert and rehabilitate old structures in the county through tax credits. In order to conform to state law, these tax credits are only available if the project qualifies as a “commercial” project. The ECIDA is encouraging mixed-use conversions that include both commercial and residential components. The potential savings was noted to be as much as 20 percent on construction. There was one vote against the policy, as the board member felt that incentives should be provided to encourage industry as opposed to housing. “New housing is not needed because the region is losing population.”
Leominster Councilor Calls Mixed-Use Zoning a Challenge
Publication Date:
November 17, 2009Written By:
Marisa DonelanSource:
Sentinel and EnterpriseRead more...
Synopsis:
Leominster, Massachusetts, is attempting to deal with its inventory of vacant and underutilized properties by updating its zoning to incorporate a “Mixed Use 1 district.” This district would allow buildings to mix residential, commercial, and industrial. At present, the city allows commercial and industrial mixing. The issue raised with this rezoning is that the city is attempting to fix this city-wide problem by focusing on one district. Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc is also proposing that the city consider creating “adaptive reuse laws” which would allow developers to mix uses in adaptive reuse projects on a case-by-case situation.