Design changes to Main & Monroe project

The Redevelopment Agency was briefed on minor design changes to original plans approved for the Main & Monroe project downtown.

20180207_185834Executive Director Leonard Bier briefed commissioners on the changes during the agency’s most recent monthly public meeting on Feb. 7. Since the designs are different from what was originally approved about three years ago, he said it ultimately will be a Planning Board decision.

Bier told commissioners about two changes to the original designs. The first will be louvers on the lower units because economically, he said, it didn’t work on self-contained air-conditioning units.

20180207_183845The other modification might be more noticeable. Originally, the two separate buildings had their own, separate lobbies — one on Monroe Street and the other on Main Street — but the larger building to the south would house the complex’s amenities, including a pool and gym. That would mean residents of one building would have to exit their building to access those amenities.

The new design eliminates lobby access on Main Street and instead places it on Monroe Street for easier access from the other building. Relatively to the design there’s no change, perhaps just another retail space, Bier told commissioners.

The approved proposal would include extending Monroe Street across Main Street and through Lot B, all the way to East Cherry Street adjacent to The Waiting Room. Some coordination has been necessary between the Main & Monroe project and the adjacent development, The Gramercy on East Cherry Street, currently under construction.

The Planning Board originally approved the Main & Monroe proposal in March 2015. Remediation work at the site began early this year, with soil being trucked from the site for about 10 days, according to Bier.

The five-story, twin-building development will include 208 rental units and 198 parking spaces. The larger building of 116 units to the south will be constructed first and could break ground later this year.

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