Bassett Neighborhood residents met Wednesday to discuss concerns over how a proposed apartment building at 425 W. Washington Ave. could impact the community.
John Sutton of Sutton Architecture presented a plan for the five-story building, which would include 50 apartment units and space for the optometry practice that currently stands on the lot. Erik Minton, who would own the building, also plans to run a Capital Fitness gym on the first floor.
Community members said they worried the high number of apartment buildings being built in the area would over-saturate the neighborhood.
However, Sutton said demand for apartments in the area has been rising due to the growth of Epic Systems, a medical technology company.
“A lot of the development [in the area] is based on projections from Epic,” Sutton said. “The demand is very strong for the downtown.”
Bassett Neighborhood Association Chair Peter Ostlind said he relies on developers to analyze demand trends in the area, and added having additional residency options downtown is beneficial.
“The more people we have, the more vibrant the neighborhood and the more opportunities for businesses that support residents,” he said.
Sutton also highlighted several environmentally friendly attributes the firm is looking to include in the design plan, such as a partial green roof.
“I love sustainability,” Sutton said. “We always look at efficiency.”
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, favors the proposal, but said it will need to be improved with community input, because “there are still unanswered questions and details that still need to be worked out.”
Plans for the proposal and construction process remain flexible, but Sutton said he and Minton hope to begin construction late this fall.
