Bigger plans at Division-Ashland site
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For all supporters of a significant, dense, mixed-use and pedestrian/transit-oriented development at the former Pizza Hut Site, I want to get word out about a very positive development.
As some of you know, representatives of the East Village Association met with the owners of the former Pizza Hut property, Rob Buono & Paul Utigard, about a month ago. We were shown a proposal for a two story building. We reiterated our interest in seeing something more suited to the site, and they agreed to take another look.
This morning we saw the result: a building that matches the height and scale of the landmark bank to the north, with ground-floor retail, second-floor office space and five floors of residential rental, including a modest number of affordable units.
While the plan still includes a bank drive-thru, it provides no parking for the residential units, meaning no additional automobile traffic will be generated by the additional rental units. This in itself is a huge victory.
We have invited the developers to present the scheme to the East Village Association board at 6:30 pm Monday Sept. 19 at Leona's, 1939 W. Augusta. Please let me know if you would like to join us.
Thanks again for your support.