No. 0908 expanding the boundaries of the WWCDA, expanding the allocation area for purposes of TIF, and amending the development plan

Home Browse Search

o Adequate off - street parking and loading facilities should be provided for all new com- mercial and multi - family residential developments. Development Concept The development concept for the Near Westside neighborhood closely follows the existing development pattern within the neighborhood, and is generally consistent with the City's ap- proved Development Plan for the area. The plan contains five land -use categories: (1) residen- tial housing conservation, (2) mixed -use residential and commercial, (3) commercial, (4) in- dustrial, and (5) public. The development concept plan is illustrated as Figure 3. Residential- Housing Conservation Areas This district is intended to serve as the protected living environment. The area is predominantly single - family in character with two - family residential uses distributed throughout the area. Multi - family residential buildings exist in scattered locations. The residential area includes and is well served .by several churches, the Hansel Community Center, and by other public and semi - public uses. Recreational facilities within the neighborhood are limited to two small tot lots. The Natatorium located on Washington Street was once the premier recreational facility for the City, but it has been closed for several years. Recent surveys indicate that the area contains a total of 656 residential buildings. Of these, 154 are basically sound and well maintained, 276 are deteriorating and in need of minor repair, 173 are deteriorating and in need of major repair, 35 are structurally sub- standard and rehabilitation may not be economically feasible, and 20 are vacant and boarded -up. Although a limited number of scattered vacant parcels exist within the His- toric District, a large number of vacant sites ranging in size from single lots to one - quarter and one -half block areas are distributed throughout the remainder of the area. The Concept Plan proposes new houses and apartment buildings on Chapin and Washington blocks to help strengthen the existing residences, and to re- establish the population density and neighborhood vitality lost in recent years. It also calls for an on- going program to rehabilitate essentially sound buildings. Mixed -Use Residential and Commercial Development The area located at the eastern end of the neighborhood between Scott and Williams Streets should continue to serve as a transition area between the intensely developed downtown area to the east, and the predominantly low- density residential- housing con- servation area to the west. The area currently contains a wide range of residential, com- mercial, public and institutional uses. Growth and development of downtown related uses may lead to replacement of lower intensity uses within this area in the future. New development should be sensitive to and guided by Historic District guidelines. 3. Commercial Areas Commercial areas on Washington Street and on Chapin Street should be strengthened as retail and service centers serving the day -to -day needs of neighborhood residents. These areas are currently characterized by wide- spread deterioration of buildings. Moreover, close to one -half of the buildings in each area are vacant. The total estimated floor area of commercial buildings (Washington Street - 107,000 square feet and Chapin Street - 58,000 square feet) far exceeds existing and future demand for such space. 16