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Council approves downtown redevelopment plans for 300 Central and two 31‑story towers at 802 2nd Avenue South
Summary
Council found two redevelopment proposals consistent with the in-town redevelopment plan: a 16‑story mixed-use building at 300 Central Avenue and a two‑tower 31‑story project at 802 2nd Avenue South; discussion focused on demolition timing, parking, and utility capacity.
City zoning staff presented two redevelopment consistency items to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) portion of the meeting and council approved both as consistent with the in-town redevelopment plan.
Corey Malishka described the first project at 300 Central Avenue as a proposed 16‑story mixed-use building to replace a storm-damaged 11‑story structure. The applicant proposes roughly 74 hotel rooms, about 4,000 square feet of commercial space and a building height of approximately 170–172 feet; staff noted the site will require an FAA airport obstruction permit because the proposed height exceeds local airport thresholds. The property currently has no on-site parking; the developer intends to lease off-site spaces and has discussed agreements with adjacent parking facilities.
Council members emphasized the priority of timely demolition and interim site treatment to reduce blight on a prominent corner, with Council Member Driscoll asking for a plan to avoid a long-term vacant lot between demolition and construction.
The second CRA item described a larger infill project at 802 2nd Avenue South proposing two 31‑story towers atop a multi-story podium with parking, ground-floor commercial space and pedestrian amenities; staff recommended the proposal is consistent with the redevelopment plan and conditions in the staff report.
Council members raised concerns about parking availability for adjacent businesses during demolition and construction, sewer and infrastructure capacity as downtown density increases, and the aesthetic impact of a tall podium. Applicants and staff responded that off-site parking agreements and construction staging plans will be reviewed and required as part of the permit and MOT (maintenance of traffic) processes, and that some agreements must be recorded prior to zoning sign-off.
Both CRA consistency resolutions were approved unanimously with noted conditions in staff reports; council directed staff to coordinate demolition timing, interim site treatment and recorded parking agreements as a condition of permitting.
Next steps: Applicants will proceed through site-plan review, record any off-site parking agreements required by code, coordinate MOT and construction staging with engineering and transportation staff, and obtain required FAA/airport obstruction permits where applicable.
