Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Forest Park announces downtown redevelopment projects, Main Street events and tree giveaway
Summary
City economic-development staff said a former garage at 4879 West Street has sold and is being redeveloped; Restoration on Main at 850 Main is about 85% renovated and seeking a cafe tenant; Florence On Main, a planned 60-unit apartment with retail, has applied for DCA funding.
Forest Park economic-development staff updated the City Council on Thursday about downtown redevelopment projects, upcoming events and a tree giveaway.
Interim Economic Development Director Dennis said the property at 4879 West Street (described in the update as an older blue garage building) has been sold and is undergoing redevelopment. Dennis also reported that Restoration on Main at 850 Main Street, owned by the development authority, is about 85% complete on interior and exterior renovations; the planned building will include an upstairs ballroom, five small office suites and a café. Dennis said city staff recently met with a coffee purveyor interested in becoming the first tenant in that café space.
Dennis also said a privately developed project now called Florence On Main is planned for the site identified in the meeting as 76770 Main and would include 60 apartment units with retail; the city submitted paperwork for DCA funding for that project today and expects to have news in July. Dennis asked the public to “keep your fingers crossed” for a favorable DCA outcome.
Economic development staff also promoted several community events: a Saturday morning yoga series on Main Street, a red maple sapling giveaway (50 saplings donated by the local business group) and recruitment for Main Street Ambassador volunteers. The department said the Forge Park Business Association will hold its next breakfast in June focused on small-business financing.
No formal council action or votes were taken during the update. The department asked the public to watch for new downtown banners and tenant announcements.
