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Architects propose event center, farmers market and wrapped parking deck in test-fit for Lancaster post office
Summary
Architects presented a test-fit for Lancaster’s 1927 downtown post office, showing options that include an event center paired with the farmers market, a mixed-use commercial/residential conversion, and a wrapped 2–3 story parking deck; council directed staff to pursue an RFP process after initial interest from a developer.
Lancaster — Architects Carrie Perkins and Janet Zuckerman presented a test-fit study at the April 14 work session for the city-owned 1927 post office and adjacent parcels, outlining three primary reuse options and recommending next steps toward soliciting developer proposals.
Perkins told the council the team aimed to "give you some thoughts and some ideas of the possibilities" and said the building’s age and downtown location made it a strong candidate for adaptive reuse. The architects described an event center concept that would link to the farmers market and include a catering kitchen to serve festivals and rentals; a mixed-use alternative with ground-floor commercial space and a small number of upstairs residential units; and a configuration that wraps a 2–3 story parking garage with active uses to reduce the visual impact of the deck.
The presentation emphasized financial tools and market approaches for private redevelopment: Perkins noted availability of federal and state historic tax credits "to finance any future development" when a private developer leads a project, and the mayor reported a developer had called this week expressing interest.
Design specifics presented to the council included a garage-sized concept with roughly 210 spaces for the larger option and a testing estimate that a first-level event area could accommodate about 340 occupants with roughly 170 on an upper level and potential rooftop seating. Perkins said the architects had not physically entered the building for this test fit and relied on photographs and site surveys for the initial concepting.
Council members raised questions about scale and market demand, and several expressed support for pursuing private-public partnerships rather than a fully city-run operation to limit the city’s long-term financial burden. Perkins recommended an RFP solicitation to attract developers and study financial pro formas, and Council member comments favored narrowing the city’s desired program (for example, event center vs. residential) before issuing the RFP to attract the right respondents.
The council thanked the presenters and directed staff to help refine an RFP and return with materials suitable for distribution to potential developers. The architects provided examples from other small towns where historic buildings were reused to host restaurants, retail and event spaces, stressing that a compatible developer partner would be essential to realize the concepts.
Next steps: staff will work with the architects to develop solicitation language and return to council during the budget and goal-setting process with a proposed RFP schedule.
