Architect proposes restaurant and up to 12 apartments at 1019 Park Street

Joseph Thompson, identifying himself as the architect for 1019 Park Street, told the commission the property — currently occupied by M&T Bank on the corner of Park Street and Bank Street — was recently purchased by a local developer based in Mohegan Lake and is under consideration for adaptive reuse.

Thompson said the proposal would cut a new entrance on Bank Street, introduce a ground-floor restaurant with dual entrances and convert the upper floors into residential units, adding a third floor within the existing roof volume. "It would create a new housing opportunity up to 12 new units in the building," he said. Thompson described a plan to raise the roofline by about two feet, stepped back at the coping, and to extend stair towers and the elevator to provide rooftop access and amenity space.

Commission members pressed for details on materials, windows and parking. Thompson said most second-floor openings would be retained and windows replaced in kind as casements for egress, and that mechanical equipment would be relocated to the roof. On parking, Thompson said the site has no on-site parking (zero-lot-line) and staff would consult the planning department; the James Street Garage could provide capacity and options include waiver/variance or parking-in-lieu tools.

The commission moved to approve the presented concept with the understanding that signage and final color choices would return for separate review. Chair moved the motion and a committee member seconded it; the motion was acknowledged and the applicant thanked the commission.