Preservation SOS was approached in September by MetroNorth with the idea of developing Dancy Terrace. Since PSOS owns 8 of the bungalows, Metro North wanted us to embrace their project. And, to a certain extent, we have.
Their plan is to purchase all 24 bungalows (at appraised value per NSP guidelines) and renovate using the federal funds. Each bungalow will receive roughly 80k to renovate, which will be more than adequate to have a quality renovation.
That's a lot of money going into this project.
Of course, of great concern to Metro North is the parking situation. The alleyways can be utilized, but with an agreement with PSOS, no bungalows can be torn down. This leads us to the controversial aspect of this project. MetroNorth proposes to have a "lane" down the middle of the bungalows for access for the residents.
Pictured below is the plan.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/sheclown/dancy001-1.jpg)
I don't think anyone celebrates the idea of the lane down the middle and certainly PSOS doesn't either. However, we see this plan as a great chance to save the bungalows from further deterioration and defer to the historic planning commissioners to make this call.
PSOS will benefit, financially, from this project. That money will go toward further preservation projects in the neighborhood.
This project goes before the Historic Planning Commission this month for an "Opinion of Appropriateness". This is just a way to ask the commissioners what they think.
There are many potential problems to this plan. It hinges on MetroNorth's ability to own all of the bungalows and get HPC approval. Both of these are significant hurdles.
But we are guardedly optimistic for Dancy and for the bungalows to be filled with life once more.
Definitely a difficult site to find necessary parking on, so you would think HPC would be understanding of the practical difficulties in meeting any requirements. Unless the city wants to commit to running streetcar down Main Street, I don't know how they can expect the site to get redeveloped without providing parking to residents.
Only alternative I can think of off the top of my head, would be to come up with some kind of parking agreement (or purchase) with one of the nearby business/properties, most likely along 9th St. From an aerial, it looks like there is quite a bit of asphalt to the south of the property, to the east of the cleaners or whatever that is. Owned by the Setzer Family Foundation and Lem Turner LLC. Has that idea been explored at all?
I wondered if they could buy some of that parking lot. However, I think residents will want to park either in front of their houses or on the CROW at each end in angled parking, should there be enough, not in a business lot across the street. I did wonder about that too, though.
I would rather not see a street down the middle, but I can live with the one-way, cobbled, landscaped lane as pictured if it means saving the houses. And besides, it has to be nice enough to get HPC's buy in.
I for one don't like putting a road down the middle. Let me formulate some thoughts on this overnight.
Have at it. Other ideas are great. One previous developer received permission for angled parking on the CROW's. So that's a start. I thought there was room between the houses to park a car in the rear, but I walked the alley and now I don't know. It doesn't look like there is enough turning radius, and the fit would be tight between houses. With a proper turning radius, maybe. But probably not a Suburban. :-)
This is an interesting concept, although it does take away the very little bit of front yard space there is for each one of these units, however..
IF this is a plan that would save the Dancy Terrace homes and it is a solid guarantee that funding would come through to renovate these homes, I think it is in the best interest of the site, to embrace this idea.
If there is otherwise, no vehicle access close to the homes (?) I presume currently that is the case, then moving furniture has to be from the existing street to which ever unit, as does groceries, etc. I think this plan makes those sort of chores much easier, and may be an added bonus in the long run, for marketing the properties.
I think in the end you have to do what you have to do to save the homes, and PSOS has worked tirelessly to do this.
I would favor the plan and the renderings.
Five hours later....
At the end of it all, the commissioners echo our thoughts. They would like to see an alternative parking solution, but they don't want to lose the project either. They would most likely be okay with a limited "lane" down the middle provided parking was diverted to the areas in-between the cottages leaving more green space in the front yard area. Also preferable would be the end units utilizing the CROW area for parking and perhaps eliminating parking for these bungalows at the house.
But they have given a nod to Metro North while placing limits on the alterations to accommodate the lane. Or at least, that was my understanding.
That sounds like a good compromise.
While we wait on to hear on Dancy's future...
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab165/sheclown/DancyTerrace-1.jpg)
...lawn maintenance of Dancy Terrace is brought to you by generous and regular donations by Sharon Frye and Nicole Lopez. Lawn mower donated by Julie Anne Dostal. Lawn mower refurbished by Hailing Zong and Johannes Ullrich. Next time you see these folks, give them a hug from the hood.
When you give to PSOS, we put it to good use. Thank you!!