In a recent city council meeting, officials discussed a significant rezoning proposal aimed at revitalizing a long-vacant apartment building on Dwight Street. The project, presented by planning manager Mark Andrick, seeks to convert the existing structure into multifamily housing, a move that has garnered excitement from local leaders.

The proposal involves a zoning map amendment for three parcels, with the primary focus on 94 and 104 Dwight Street, which are currently zoned for duplexes (R2). The applicant, identified as Manhole Wire, is requesting a change to multifamily zoning (R3) to accommodate the redevelopment. The planning commission has bifurcated the rezoning into two separate ordinances to address the different zoning requirements for the Dwight properties and an adjacent parcel on Mark Street.

The existing building, originally opened in 1928, has been vacant for many years. The redevelopment plan includes 31 residential units—23 two-bedroom and 8 one-bedroom apartments—requiring a total of 59 parking spaces according to city zoning codes. However, the applicant is proposing only 39 spaces, necessitating a waiver from the planning commission. This request has raised concerns among council members regarding the potential impact on neighborhood parking.

Community feedback has been mixed, with some residents expressing frustration over the need for additional parking beyond the existing lot. Others have shown support for the redevelopment, highlighting the building's historic significance and the need for family-friendly housing options in the area.

The council's initial vote on the rezoning proposal passed unanimously, with plans for a second reading scheduled for next week. If approved, the redevelopment is expected to breathe new life into the historic structure, which will be renamed the Seminole Apartments, honoring its legacy while providing much-needed housing in the community.