Funding sources close to finalization for Commercial St. and State St. conversions- A former trolley barn, 61 Commercial St. to be converted into offices for Stantec Inc., using $2.6 million in state grant funds
- An $800K construction loan is being considered for the second phase of the Mills at High Falls.
- Urban League officials hope to get a historic designation for the 1840's era commercial building at 364-392 State Street
- Sale of 104 Platt Street has attracted interest from four potential buyers, all of whom plan a restaurant.
I had no idea a potential renovation of the State Street structures was tied into the Mills project. Refurbished to provide desirable amenities and restored to their original civic programming, a small commercial strip like this would do a lot for the emerging district while reinforcing its historic character.
Finding out recently that the former Jimmy Mac's was closed and for sale was disappointing to say the least. If the circumstances enumerated in this piece are to be believed, that action was not precipitated by lack of business. I'm looking forward to that void being filled for pre and post Red Wings barfood jaunts.
I'll finish up today by saying that the major hole preventing a more functional and attractive integration of Frontier Field into the High Falls District is the massive surface parking lot southeast of Platt between Plymouth and State. Well programmed commercial space fronting Platt across from the Kodak Cube would tastefully finish off a corridor leading straight to the Genesee River gorge (and the Genesee Brewery by extension) from the ticket windows.
1 comment:
Jimmy Mac's is begging to be made into a neighborhood bar, if nothing else. I'm sure Stantec and Kodak can provide a couple of regulars for happy hour during the week. Add in the occasional Frontier Field crowd and your golden.
The Stock Exchange in First Federal does the same thing. Regulars during the week and a big Knighthawks party every weekend.
It's too bad the Inner Loop creates such a big barrier between High Falls and the St. Paul Quarter. I wonder what it would take to get some kind of pedestrian/bicycle bridge to connect Cumberland St. and Commercial St. Probably Santa Claus.
Post a Comment