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Historic district shows signs of rebirth
(by Mike Klimko - September 03, 2008)
Historic district shows signs of rebirth
By MIKE KLIMKO
Solon's historic district is in position to get the jump on nearby redevelopment in the center of town, according to city Planning Director Robert S. Frankland.
Throwbacks to buildings from the end of the 19th century are either in place, are under construction or are being planned on Bainbridge Road, between Solon and SOM Center (Route 91) roads, Mr. Frankland said.
The trend started with the construction of the Sgro Building housing the coffee shop next to the historic wine building and is continuing with a new car parts store and renovation of the Solon Business Center by Harold Hughes, he said.
A proposal headed next week for review by the city's planning commission rates as another major addition, bringing commercial and office operations to the north side of the Bainbridge Road corridor, Mr. Frankland said.
A building proposed by NDT developers, of Solon, on Bainbridge Road would complement the Central Park redevelopment proposed by the Coral Co. east of SOM Center Road, he said.
The redevelopment plan includes the SOM Centre shopping plaza and surrounding areas between Solon and Bainbridge roads, totaling 90 acres of businesses and homes. Voters will decide in November on planned-unit-development zoning needed to move forward on Central Park.
Development on Bainbridge Road is not subject to rezoning.
Pan Holdings has a plan on the drawing board in the historic district for two stories of business and medical offices on Solon Road, just east of Bainbridge Road. It is located in the historic and commercial districts.
"They will be very significant," Mr. Frankland said of the potential office buildings. "We've been concentrating on this part of town for a couple of years. The focus has been on development between Solon and SOM on Bainbridge," he said.
"The zoning code in the historic district was adjusted in 2005 to develop two-story buildings with setbacks close to the street, with design characteristics for commercial buildings at the turn of the century," Mr. Frankland said.
"We really don't have any of those kinds of buildings in the city. The arts center is the most reminiscent. The idea started with the Arabica building and has continued with the Car Quest building and the Harold Hughes building."
With the potential for business and medical offices, as well as retail, operating in the NDT building, city officials were eager to mirror the Central Park concept and move the building closer to Bainbridge Road, Mr. Frankland said.
"This is a key to the redevelopment of the entire street and would spur more development. These are investors who are spending money to develop, not to build office vacancies," he said. "They know there is a demand for office space. There are vacancies in Solon. There will always be vacancies in commercial and industrial. Other cities wish they had the low vacancy rate we have."
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