3 Building(s) on Oak

[ben says]

Hey

Anybody know what the deal is with the three store fronts on Oak Street? They're the old laundromat looking places across from that white mansion. (I'd guess it's near the corner of Copeland and Oak? maybe a block down...

[lowlyplanner]

They used to be a laundromat...  until a couple of years ago (maybe 4 or 5)?

Supposedly, the building was actually used to dry clean the clothes since the 30s, which could mean that the property is contaminated with the chemicals (which are quite nasty).

The owner at one point was interested in re-developing the property, but I believe they are also contributing structures in the Historic District, which would make them hard to tear down.

The streetcar ran down that section of Oak Street (between Margaret and King) and there are several other cool commercial buildings as well.

[cline]

The streetcar ran down that section of Oak Street (between Margaret and King) and there are several other cool commercial buildings as well.

That section of Oak would be an awesome redevelopment/TOD area if the streetcar is brought back to Riverside.

[letters and numbers]

Hey you know I looked into those for record store but they have contamination

[ChriswUfGator]

The owner at one point was interested in re-developing the property, but I believe they are also contributing structures in the Historic District, which would make them hard to tear down.

Unless you buy in Springfield, that is. SPAR'll show you how it's done...

[ben says]

Hey you know I looked into those for record store but they have contamination

How bad?

[Dog Walker]

Tony Saleba wanted to tear the buildings down a few years ago and build something else, but was not able to get permission from the Historic Commission to do so since they are contributing buildings.  The house that was joined to them, also owned by Saleba, burned down last year.

I think it's the owner, not contamination, that is keeping the buildings from being re-developed.  Any contamination from perc is in the ground, not in the buildings (it evaporaates) and asbestos from a boiler can easily be removed.

[ben says]

Everytime I walk by that place I tell myself "if only i was wealthier I'd ________"

The possibilities are endless for that setup....

I could see so many cool places in there....

Something along these lines, maybe? http://www.caviarandbananas.com/

[riverside_mail]

I'd love to see that space renovated and occupied. (Mixed use with commercial space on the ground floor and residential above in a perfect world, but I'm keeping my head out of the clouds.)

It seems like there was an Asian grocery in the area years ago--it'd be great to see something like that return.

There was one on the corner of Oak and Osceola years ago.