Planning commission approves Harrison Street Square concept plan to reuse industrial building for shops, pavilion and public space

The Oswego Planning & Zoning Commission on the evening considered and approved a concept plan for 174 South Harrison Street, known as Harrison Street Square, that proposes repurposing an existing industrial building into multi‑tenant commercial space with small retail shops, food trucks, a pavilion and a turf recreational area.

Rachel, a village staff member who introduced the plan, said the proposal would “include the reuse of an existing industrial building into commercial multi‑tenant space, a recreational area, food trucks with a pavilion, and small retail shop spaces.” The presentation described the small shops as roughly 12 by 14 feet — just over 100 square feet — intended as incubator spaces for start‑ups.

Applicant Mike Hertimon described the vendor mix and operating model, saying the shops are designed to allow some longer‑term 'anchor' tenants alongside rotating vendors and that the outdoor area would be seasonal in colder months. “We’d like in an instance of 8 shops to be able to have 3 maybe anchor shops … 3 to 5 years that people are familiar with, and then rotate new people in yearly,” he said.

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on infrastructure and timing. Rachel said village streetscape improvements along Harrison are already being planned and that staff would coordinate which improvements are the village’s responsibility and which fall to the developer. She also said the project team is working on septic evaluations and that a report could change the recommended timeline for connecting to Fox Metro services.

The commission asked about the proposed pavilion and its uses; the applicant said the pavilion is planned as a permanent, covered structure with power, fans and lighting, and that the open area will be primarily for gathering rather than organized sports. Commissioners noted noise and permitting constraints and emphasized adherence to local ordinances for events.

After discussion the commission moved to approve the concept plan (Project 1264.25). The clerk recorded a roll call in favor and the chair declared the minutes approved and the motion carried. The project will proceed to final engineering and any required site plan reviews.

The next procedural steps include final engineering review and coordination between the developer and the village on streetscape and utility improvements; staff told commissioners those details will be worked out during subsequent plan review stages.