City officials approved plans for one downtown apartment building and heard two new development proposals for the downtown and campus areas Wednesday night.
The Urban Design Commission gave their final approval to The Alexander Company and architectural company Iconica for an 11-story multipurpose building at 306 W. Main St.
The development would consist of 164 condominium homes, 151 hotel rooms, as well as 92,500 square feet of commercial space.
Before construction can begin, both the Plan Commission and City Council must approve the proposal, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. The Plan Commission will consider the proposal Oct. 15.
The UDC also heard informational presentations for two proposed downtown apartment developments from property owner Scott Faust and Knothe & Bruce Architects, LLC.
The first proposed building would be a five-story multi-family apartment complex with available underground parking. The proposed structure would replace current buildings at 202 and 210 N. Bassett St. as well as 512 and 520 W. Dayton St.
The building would offer 61 parking spaces as well as underground and surface bicycle stalls.
“Code requirements say one bicycle space is necessary per unit,” said Knothe & Bruce Architects managing member Randy Bruce. “But I think the neighborhood likes one per bedroom and we are close to approaching that.”
The building would also offer 20 underground moped stalls.
The second proposed building would be a 12-story apartment building at 313 and 315 N. Frances St. with the first floor being commercial space.
But commission members said because the lot is small, it would be better suited for a 10-story building.
Although Bruce agreed the site is small, he said the original proposal is sound.
“I think it is a better building at 12 [stories] than it would ever be at 10 [stories]," he said.
The building would not offer underground parking, but it would offer bicycle stalls in the basement for tenants. Residents would also have access to a rooftop terrace on the 10th floor of the complex.
“The initial neighborhood reaction to both designs was quite positive,” said Verveer.
The proposals must return to the UDC for approval as well as receive approval from the Plan Commission and City Council before construction can begin.
