College Station infill work underway

Infill work is underway at the southwest corner of downtown's largely vacant College Station development, where nonprofit Art Inspired has plans to expand.

At 230 S. Market Ave. - kitty-corner from Springfield Brewing Co. at the intersection of Market and McDaniel Street - workers are digging into the gravel foundation in a sign of progress at the development with a single tenant - next door nonprofit the Hamels Foundation. Scott Tillman's $12 million College Station, which opened with anchor tenant Hollywood Theaters - now Regal Cinemas - in fall 2008, gained the Hamels Foundation as a tenant in January 2012. On the other side of the development, along College Street, Tillman had signed Nine of Clubs to a long-term lease in 6,700 square feet, but that deal fell through after the comedy club's owner, Travis Dibben, was charged with selling cocaine to an undercover officer.

Art Inspired General Manager Jacquie Atkins said the nonprofit social enterprise plans to expand from 310 S. Campbell Ave., where it opened in August 2012. She said the College Station lease for undisclosed terms is not yet finalized, pending funding. She said the nonprofit hopes to move in to the space in mid-summer.

Atkins said a self-sustaining thrift store would make up the majority of the space - donating items to disabled individuals and selling items to the public. She noted it would employ both those with and without development disabilities.

At its South Campbell Avenue spot, Art Inspired contracts with businesses for document disposal services, while creating employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Jennifer Wilson, founder and principal of nForm Architecture LLC, is charged with designing the new space for Art Inspired, with construction work performed by Tillman's Historic Development & Restoration Inc., Wilson said. She noted the infill work would likely be finished by early summer.

Tillman could not be reached for comment by deadline.