Council approves first reading for MXU rezoning of old mill site; developer pledges employee housing and parking deck

Jerry Gronski, the applicant's representative, presented a mixed-use redevelopment plan for the old mill property at Sprat Street, Railroad Avenue, Williamson Street and Watson Street, asking the council to rezone roughly 15.9 acres from general industrial and R-10 to MXU. "The family does want to extend Main Street and create this community magnet and turn this vacant warehouse into a substantial multifamily, beautiful spot for residents to be with 25,000 square foot of retail," Gronski said.

The project design includes up to 225 multifamily units and a minimum of 20,000 (and up to 25,000) square feet of commercial space, a two-level parking deck with residential parking below and public/retail parking above, and street resurfacing within project boundaries. Gronski told council the proposal would increase on-site parking from the code minimum to roughly "505 hundred and 31 spaces"…