The city’s Planning Board met this past Tuesday to hear comments and vote on whether to designate the downtown Powerhouse Arts District an “area in need of redevelopment.” When such a redevelopment zone is designated, the city can create a special zoning plan for it and designate developers.
The board originally proposed, in a study done in 2002, to create an area located near Exchange Place that would be utilized for artist work-live spaces, art-related businesses, and other facilities that would attract and maintain a flourishing artists’ community.
The district designated for redevelopment was to consist of nine blocks, stretching from Marin Boulevard to Washington Street, and from Stuben Street to First Street. There’s also a second part of the Powerhouse Arts District stretching from Manila Avenue to Marin Boulevard.
The city’s planning department led by head planner Robert Cotter has made the case that the area is in need of redevelopment, as many of the properties within the Powerhouse District are either in fair or poor condition.
But there was opposition to the idea, as lawyers and property owners pointed out that it would keep developers from restoring or building on their properties as they see fit.
After two hours of presentation and public comment, the board voted 5-0 with one abstention to consider the Powerhouse Arts District a redevelopment area.
Now, a Powerhouse Arts District Redevelopment Plan will need to be completed, and then it will have to be presented for approval by the Planning Board. From there it will be voted upon by the City Council. That may not happen until later this fall.
Some say redevelopment, some say interference
At the meeting, Harold Seide made the initial presentation on the issue. Seide is the lawyer for New Gold Equities, which owns the 111 First St. building within the study area. Seide made the case that the area should not be designated for redevelopment. “The area is developing on its own through private capital,” said Seide.
Seide noted the plans of Lloyd Goldman, the owner of 111 First St., in transforming the building into condos that would include a parking garage.
But Planning Board Chairman John Cardwell said, “We want to get something moving as soon as possible…we have some professional planners who want to do no harm.”
There was public comment from the residents who live within the area.
Bill Rodwell, a photographer and longtime tenant of 111 First St. which is in the zone, presented a plan for transforming the building into an amenable space for artists.
Kevin Mayer, another tenant of 111 First St. testified to conditions in the building such as leaking, and said the redevelopment plan would help to get a building fixed that would also be a benefit to the artists.
Joseph Giami, a resident of York Street, wants to see this area be subject to redevelopment to help transform buildings and keep the artists who occupy them.
But Michael Bochner, who runs the family-owned Henderson Lumber Mill on Henderson and Grove Streets, pointed out that the redevelopment area will hamper his ability to refurbish the building that has been in his family’s ownership for 33 years.
Bochner read a letter to the Planning Board in which he agreed with the Powerhouse Arts District being designated as an area in need of redevelopment. But he said the boundaries may have extended too far, and could be an impediment to any future plans to restore the Henderson Lumber Mill building as he so chooses.
“Is it the intent of the board to demean the businesses…is it your plan to push us aside and put us out of business?” he asked.
Jeni Branum, a commissioner on the Planning Board, suggested that the area may be too large, and that an area around Grove and Henderson Streets should be set aside as another redevelopment area.
Robert Cotter, the city’s head planner, presented his case by saying that he believed “the area warrants the declaration of the need of redevelopment.” He said that of 85 properties within the area, only two were what he deemed were in good condition.
Making the final decision
Planning Board members Mary Donnelly, Jeni Branum, Larry Eccleston, and Cardwell voted for the designation. Joan DiNardo abstained.
“I am so proud…this has been one of the most interesting reviews and discussion I’ve been involved in on the Planning Board,” said Cardwell.
Robert Cotter said that the Powerhouse Arts District Redevelopment Plan would be ready by the end of July. From there, it would go in front of Planning Board for approval either in August or September, and afterwards it will have to go in front of the City Council for approval.