Planning commission grants conditional preliminary/final approval for Center Square redevelopment at 702 Hamilton St.

The Planning Commission voted to grant conditional preliminary/final land development approval for a redevelopment of the former Merchants Bank site at 702 Hamilton Street.

The project, proposed by City Center Group, would retain and adapt the historic stone‑clad bank façade while constructing a four‑story glass‑and‑metal addition to create roughly 87,000 square feet of Class A office space, about 13,000 square feet of ground‑floor retail (including a proposed 5,000‑square‑foot anchor restaurant with a street‑level patio), and a green roof. The applicant intends to reuse the building’s existing basement for mechanical systems and to expand the ground‑floor retail area; a roughly 6,000‑square‑foot mezzanine is shown for storage or nontraditional office use.

Planning staff summarized reviews from internal disciplines and the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB). HARB’s comments, read into the record, praised removal of a prior cantilevered design, supported the contrast between the historic façade and the modern addition, and asked for additional details on the green roof plantings. The zoning hearing board previously granted approval for the partial demolition needed to create the addition.

Project representatives said the building would add an estimated 87,000 square feet of office space and increase ground‑floor retail from about 6,000 to about 13,000 square feet compared with earlier proposals. The applicant provided a development schedule in which demolition could begin as early as August, building plans would be submitted in August, construction could start in October, and first occupancy is targeted for early 2027.

Commissioners generally praised the design; comments asked the applicant to consider more active small‑scale retail bays along the street, review signage plans, preserve pedestrian connections to the reworked Center Square plaza across Hamilton, and ensure loading and trash routing would function on Hall Street and in the rear service area. Commissioners also asked the applicant to consider visibility and window proportions and noted the green roof as a positive sustainability feature.

Several members of the public spoke. Resident Jennifer Swan asked about additional demand on downtown parking and whether the city’s parking supply would accommodate the new employees and patrons; staff and the applicant said the development will use downtown public parking and the applicant proposed a small number of “executive” parking spaces on the parcel while relying on off‑street public garages and curbside loading on Hall Street for deliveries. A construction professional in the audience urged careful planning for loading if multiple restaurant and retail tenants occupy the ground floor.

After discussing staff comments and public input, a commissioner moved to grant conditional preliminary/final land development approval subject to the staff report and comments; another commissioner seconded. The motion carried with the ayes prevailing. The approval was conditional on the standard technical revisions recommended by staff and on incorporation of required discipline reviews (engineering, traffic, building) as part of the final plan submission.