Developers introduced a downtown redevelopment plan Wednesday that could replace several residential buildings downtown with a 12-story structure on West Johnson Street and a three-story complex on West Dayton Street.
The buildings would replace current housing on the block enclosed by West Johnson, West Dayton, North Basset and Marion Streets.
The proposed buildings represent a way for planners to achieve increased housing densities and to expand downtown housing for students in particular, according to Randy Bruce of Knothe & Bruce Architects.
The 12-story building would offer 155 units, while the three-story building would offer 42 units.
According to the proposal, each new apartment building would provide residents a variety of units and space for bicycle, moped and automobile parking, as well as a common courtyard.
Bruce said the proposal was part of the first planning stage of a larger Planned Unit Development for the downtown area.
According to developers, there are two phases of the plan. First is the current “general plan,” where developers seek approval for the overall project from the city.
Once approved, the second phase will come into effect, meaning developers will unleash more intimate details about the complexes, such as exact dimensions and design.
Some affected parties, including the DoubleTree Hotel, raised concerns about how the size of the buildings and their proposed locations may affect their downtown views and access to sunlight.
Concerns over balconies on the complex were also raised because affected parties fear residents will throw items off the balconies and generate excess noise.
“I can tell you right now, you probably will not get our support if you put balconies on [the 12-story building],” general manager of the DoubleTree Hotel Tom Zarnick said.
If the project remains on schedule and gains approval from city officials, construction is set to begin this summer.
