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"A� <br />4 <br />Ina ustrial <br />Th s district is reasonably weli defined by existing industrial development. The area in- <br />clu es newer planned facilities such as the O'Brien Paint Company located north of <br />Washington Street, and a new construction company at the west end of Washington <br />Str et. It also includes older industrial buildings that range in age, height, size, type of <br />co struction and condition. In general, the older facilities are characterized by building <br />obsolescence and a non - competitive arrangement of site access, parking, service and en- <br />vironmental improvements. Contemporary industrial development in the area south of <br />Washington Street will require removal of many of the smaller free - standing buildings in <br />po r condition and replatting of the assembled areas for development as a planned in- <br />du trial park. <br />Th Concept Plan for the industrial portion of the Near Westside suggests reassembled <br />pa cell of 1-1/2 to 2 acres, along with rehabilitation of major industrial buildings. This <br />area is located within an established Urban Enterprise Zone and Tax Abatement Impact <br />Am a, and a full range of business development incentives is available to help the area <br />compete with newer industrial parks. <br />The Concept Plan suggests that the to- be- assembled parcels be developed as a modern <br />industrial park served by an internal circulation system. A landscaped perimeter along <br />West Washington and North Birdell Streets would buffer the area from the adjacent <br />residential blocks. <br />5. Public <br />The public areas identified as part of the plan include the existing Martin Luther King <br />Jr. Recreational Center and the City fire station. No other major public recreational <br />uses are proposed. However, the Plan suggests a major gateway feature at the corners of <br />Western Avenue and Chapin Street. <br />Market AsIsessment <br />An impor <br />for develc <br />strategies, <br />projected <br />complete <br />previousl} <br />interview! <br />1. <br />ant objective during Phase I of the assignment was to examine the market potential <br />pment alternatives within the study area. It is essential that proposed development <br />especially short - range, action - oriented projects, are workable given current and <br />market conditions. To fulfill this objective, AREA prepared a market overview. The <br />narket overview, attached as Appendix A to this document, is based on a review of <br />prepared materials, field examination of the area and competitive market areas, and <br />with real estate practitioners. Its key conclusions are as follows: <br />Residential Market <br />o The real estate category with the strongest potential is residential real es- <br />tate. The study area is very attractive for low- and moderate - income <br />families seeking to purchase a first home. The area is also attractive for <br />low- and moderate - income renters. <br />o Further investments in both renter- and owner- occupied housing <br />rehabilitation would benefit the area by making it more attractive and <br />preserving the housing stock. Given the incomes of area owner - <br />occupants and renters, continued availability and possible expansion of <br />public rehabilitation financing programs will be needed to encourage <br />housing rehabilitation. <br />0 <br />