A proposed planned unit development (PUD) agreement that will provide downtown Oxford with an additional 58 public parking spaces, plus three new buildings was approved last week in a 6-0 vote by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board.
‘I’m looking forward to having this exciting project start,? said DDA Board Member Sue Bossardet, who also serves as village president.
Local developer Dave Weckle, who owns Valley Building and Repair on Broadway St., is planning to construct a major mixed-use development encompassing portions of E. Burdick, Mill and Stanton streets.
‘I’m anxious to get started,? he told the DDA board.
The development would consist of three buildings housing a mix of office, retail and residential spaces, plus 58 new paved public parking spaces.
‘I intend to do three-story buildings in each location,? Weckle said. ‘It is zoned for three-story buildings (there).?
The ground floors would consist of retail/office spaces. The second floors would be for office space. The third floors would be for residential condominiums.
‘I don’t intend to have rentals,? Weckle said. ‘I hope everything is owned . . . I don’t think that will be a problem. I’ve had great interest.?
Before the project can move forward, it must receive approvals from the village planning commission and council.
‘I still hope to start next year,? Weckle said. ‘It all depends on how fast we get through the process.
Weckle plans to use five properties he currently owns ? 42 and 46 E. Burdick St., plus 19, 21, and 23 Stanton St. ? and three properties (32, 36 and 38 E. Burdick St.) owned by the DDA to make the development happen.
As part of the PUD agreement, the DDA would transfer ownership of its three parcels to Weckle in exchange for him developing the 58-space public parking lot.
The DDA purchased the three properties in 2001 and 2002 for a total of $585,000. All three had houses and backyards when the DDA bought them. The backyards were later split off and converted into public parking, while the houses were moved. The properties total 0.34 acre.
According to a concept plan Weckle submitted to the DDA, the project includes constructing a 10,800-square-foot building on the southwest corner of E. Burdick and Mill streets; a 25,200-square-foot building on the southeast corner of E. Burdick and Mill streets; and an 18,900-square-foot building on the northeast corner of Stanton and Mill streets.
He told the DDA board his development will look like other buildings in the historic downtown because he plans to use features such as dark-colored brick and limestone.
‘I want them to look rich and expensive, but not cost a lot,? Weckle said. ‘I want them to have a lot of character.?
Weckle plans to construct the 58-space parking lot at the same time as the 25,200-square-foot building.
‘My intent is to get the parking lot done as soon as possible,? he said.
Some DDA board members inquired as to whether or not the occupants of the residential condominiums would have designated parking spaces.
‘It makes sense. If I lived there, I (would) want to come home and park right by my house, not down the street,? said DDA Board Member Rod Charles.
Weckle suggested if condo owners want to secure a guaranteed parking space, they could be charged an additional $6,000 fee for it, which could then go to either the DDA or the ‘parking fund? the village has discussed for years, but has yet to establish.
‘If they’re going to spend a couple hundred thousand (dollars) on a condo downtown, they’re going to probably want a designated parking spot,? he said.
‘It beats driving around looking for (one),? added DDA Board Member Jerry Cremin.