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Council reviews Cherry Street redevelopment plan

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Springfield City Council members last night reviewed plans and a blight report for a new redevelopment along East Cherry Street.

The plan submitted by Roza Homes LLC calls for the demolition of two current structures and the construction of two new 12-unit, multifamily buildings with an undefined abatement by the city.

The area generally is located along the north side of east Cherry Street between South Fremont Avenue and South Kickapoo Avenue, and currently has two inhabitable properties, said Director of Economic Development Sarah Kerner.  Built in 1905 and 1920, both of the old houses feature sagging patios, rotting window frames and dated gas heating systems. Additionally, both structures are highly likely to contain lead-based paint, given they were built before 1978. That was the year the federal government banned the use of lead-containing paint, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website. The 1329 E. Cherry St. property also has walls covered in mold.

“It’s not some kind of modern wallpaper,” Kerner said, pointing at pictures for example. “We particularly thought this plan did a good job of maintaining the neighborhood character.”

Councilman Richard Ollis, however, was concerned about traffic.

“I live close to the area there and there is an increasing number of traffic issues,” Ollis said, noting the city should proceed with caution when looking to build additional multifamily residences in that area, as opposed to single-family homes.

“I would note that this is already zoned for this use,” Kerner responded. “Typically what triggers a traffic study is a rezoning.”

Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. architect Geoffrey Butler spoke on spoke on behalf of the development company, owned by Brandon Dickman. Butler was unable to provide the project’s cost or value of the abatement to council members. Additionally, both Butler and Roza Homes could not be reached for comment by deadline.

“The request is for the blight and the redevelopment plan,” Kerner later clarified. “If that’s approved and they build according to the plan, they will be able to come back to the (Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority) and receive their abatement.”

If approved, the project is scheduled for completion in April 2018, according to city documents. The matter is scheduled to be voted on during council’s Aug. 21 meeting.

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