Oak Street - Laundry Construction

[ben says]

Couldn't find the old thread on the Laundry/Oak Street.

Anyways, there's a dumpster out front and a bulldozer type instrument inside.

I don't think it's a demo job, but I am concerned.....I at least want to know what they're planning!

[Dog Walker]

The had a COA application sign in their window for a while that said, "storefront renovations."  As far as we could tell that was the last original storefront in all of Riverside/Avondale and we used it as an example for our restoration project.

[TPC]

I seem to remember a thread about those buildings as well, I think someone said they were toxic from all of the old laundry chemicals.

On a side note, I always thought it would be cool if they were renovated and turned into a store front called Deluxe and they left the tiled signage.

[ben says]

They definitely have toxic issues. They need to do serious remediation work before it's usable. I pushed hard, with a few partners, to buy the thing last year, but the owners really wanna keep it.

As long as they "restore it"--i.e., keep the facade, make it habitable--I'd be thrilled.

Think it'd be a great spot to put 'town (since they left Avondale)--put in an AIX style restaurant--keep the Riverside area alive!

[Dog Walker]

The owner really wanted to tear it all down a few years ago.  I think it was to put up apartments.  RAP objected as did the Historic Preservation Commission since they are contributing buildings.  2008 crisis put an end to tear down attempts.

That would be a great location for a neat restaurant called "Deluxe"!

[ben says]

That would be a great location for a neat restaurant called "Deluxe"!

Amen!

From a purely technical standpoint, would it be possible to restore the contributing structure, yet add apartments (1-3 floors) on top of the existing building?

[Dog Walker]

That would be a great location for a neat restaurant called "Deluxe"!

Amen!

From a purely technical standpoint, would it be possible to restore the contributing structure, yet add apartments (1-3 floors) on top of the existing building?

I doubt that the foundation would take the additional weight.  Some of the construction techniques and engineering used on buildings that old were sometimes pretty marginal.

"They don't build them like they used to!"  Answer:  "Oh, Thank God!"

[TPC]

Is Bold Bean built on an old laundromat spot? I remember taking photos there for a school project about 7 years ago.

[If_I_Loved_you]

http://www.epa.gov/region2/capp/dryclean.htm

[Garden guy]

On contaminated land..does anyone know of what might ever happen the the lot on the corner of Mcduff and post? Its been empty for years. It would be a perfect open market if the land. Is so fucked up beyond repair I wonder what could it me used for.

[riverside_mail]

Is Bold Bean built on an old laundromat spot? I remember taking photos there for a school project about 7 years ago.

No. That used to be a food market. Bakery Moderne is in what used to be a laundromat.

[TPC]

Thanks riverside_mail. I knew a laundromat was around there but couldn't remember which building.

[aubureck]

They did go to the JHPC a few months ago.  I believe they're redoing the roof and the storefronts.  The storefronts were approved because the applicant made a case that the existing storefronts were beyond repair.

[Dog Walker]

I hope that the new storefronts will resemble the old ones and they are not allowed to put in cheap, raw aluminum and plate glass.

[ben says]

I hope that the new storefronts will resemble the old ones and they are not allowed to put in cheap, raw aluminum and plate glass.

Agree