new residential downtown

[Purplebike]

Also, in the grand scheme of things, 5 or 6 apartmenst may not seem like much, but it is projects like this that we need right now. We don't need billions dumped into some govt study or some pocket park creation or whatever. We need business minded people like Chamblin who see an opportunity and develope their little corner.

+1

[ronchamblin]

You are all so kind to me, and encouraging.  But yes, Dapperdan, I think that the current first floor façade is pretty ugly.  I plan to keep the old brick above, add some awnings on the windows, and do something creative with the lower floor, using wrought iron accents, perhaps exposing any brick behind the current stucco ….. My architect and me will come up with something good I’m sure.

And yes Debbie, there are about six of the cast iron clawfoot tubs.  I hope to keep those for the apartments.  And I talked with Greg, owner of Gus’s recently.  I assured him that he will have months to prepare any move to another location.  I would like to have Gus stay at that location.  However, three things come into play on any decision about Gus. 

First, if one is to have an area in the city core which is to contribute to its overall vibrancy, it would be best to have businesses which can open into the night.  A restaurant can to this, but evening hours would not be appropriate for Gus’s.  Second, there will come a time, within the next year, when the renovation will require a vacant bottom floor.  And third, I doubt if the proceeds from renting to Gus’s will approach that of a good restaurant.

But I do agree that Gus’s adds color and traffic to the area.  That is why I hope Greg can find a place close by.  He already is renting the one space next to the UPS store.  I think he had to assume the lease when he bought out the former Shoe repair at that location.  However, he seems to hesitate moving there at this time, and I think it is because of its smaller space for his equipment.  I am going to mention the idea of a long-term lease at the Elk’s building. 

Who knows, there are options still.  We have both talked about having him move out for a few weeks so I can renovate his lower floor, and then he can move in again.  This taking place will depend on how close Greg can come to paying the market rate for rent.  After all, it is much simpler to rent a space out, as compared to the headaches of running a restaurant.  And too, Gus’s will always increase the foot traffic wherever it is located. 

The current lack of funds to aggressively renovate gives us time, and time usually brings the best decisions.  We will see.  For the time being, me and one of my employees, the fellow who I hired from Hemming, who had been homeless for three years, will begin to attack structural deficiencies.  Then we will prepare the basic structure so that the contractors can proceed with efficiency.  Most of the walls, ceilings, plumbing, and electrical will be replaced.  New a/c will be installed.  A sprinkler system will be installed.  Each apartment will have a new stacked washer/dryer.  We have not yet determined what kind of an A/C system we will have. 

And John P, the trials and tribulations you speak about do exist somewhat, but as with many projects in life, they are less formidable when one is familiar with the territory.  Now if I were to engage a project about a rock music band performance, I would be totally overwhelmed, as I am quite ignorant about the making of music, although I love to listen to it.

Because I have been “building” things since being a child in the forties, and since I’ve engaged occasional educations and jobs to varying degrees in the sciences and engineering, I feel comfortable on projects like renovating buildings.  Besides, there are great resources in our building code and permitting departments.  These fellows have always been quite helpful on projects like the upcoming.

If you approach these fellows with an attitude right from the start, you might have some problems.  However, if you engage them as a partner in making things safe and according to the code, these fellows will actually solve problems for you, and will sometimes bend the rules to favor your job completion.       

Just as the musician can see a performance via his or her imagination right from the start, one who is familiar with buildings and renovations can not only imagine the finished project, but can imagine the process of getting there.  Therefore, confidence is the rule, and one’s knowledge allows for the right decisions on the project.

As for me, because I’ve developed a good working relationship with them, I’ve always used the same general contractor, Breaking Ground, doing a cost plus, and we usually use the same Electrical contractor, Lighthouse Electric, on a cost plus basis.  We do get bids on the plumbing, sprinklers, framing, a/c, drywall etc.  These cost plus arrangements are the result of trust gained over the years, which can usually be done if nobody is on drugs.

In any case, I feel comfortable doing these renovations for the same reason that one feels comfortable riding a bicycle after a week of riding.  There are some benefits to getting older.  One is called having experience.  The only problem is that having great experience usually means that one is that much closer to dying, so one benefits from it for only a little while.  The trick is to get experience as early in life as you can so you can enjoy the benefits of it for a long time, thus allowing you more time to afford more beer and drugs.   

Currently I don’t know how I will come up with the money to do this project, it requiring about $600K when it is all over.  However, I have confidence about gaining it eventually, as the project is a good thing, and not a wasteful project like buying a big yacht.  Those who are able, usually assist with good things, such as when one builds or creates something.  And the ongoing book business is looking good, so I can always have some funds to shoot to the renovation.  At some point of course, I will have to borrow again.  Perhaps when the borrowing time comes, the banks will be ready, and I will be able. 

Looks good.  Lots of work to do.  We will soon have six new apartments on the edge of Hemming, and one can sit and watch the colorful Hemming crowd among the big oaks.       
   

[duvaldude08]

Ron,

Thank you so much for being dedicated to downtown. We need more people like you around. 

[vicupstate]

I hope the oaks are still around by 2014, when this is done. 

What if anything is going in Synder these days?  Does the city still own it?

[thelakelander]

^The city still owns it but they aren't doing anything with it.

[Noone]

Ron, Good luck with the project. Sharing your insight throughout the process is a true benefit for anyone attempting to get involved.

I also hope the trees are around in 2014. Picture #2 will capture the before and after. Look at all that shade.

[tufsu1]

^The city still owns it but they aren't doing anything with it.

Snyder does get used for performances during ArtWalk...and I believe will once again be used at Jazz Fest this year

[Tacachale]

What a great project. Ron, will any of the Laura facade grant money be available for the project?

[thelakelander]

^The city still owns it but they aren't doing anything with it.

Snyder does get used for performances during ArtWalk...and I believe will once again be used at Jazz Fest this year

^So they use it for about three hours 12-15 out of 365 days of the year?  In other words, they aren't doing anything with it.  It would be nice to see COJ issue an RFP and return it back to the private sector.

[Tacachale]

^The city still owns it but they aren't doing anything with it.

Snyder does get used for performances during ArtWalk...and I believe will once again be used at Jazz Fest this year

^So they use it for about three hours 12-15 out of 365 days of the year?  In other words, they aren't doing anything with it.  It would be nice to see COJ issue an RFP and return it back to the private sector.

That implies there'd be a buyer, or at least a buyer who wouldn't tear it down. The city should be a partner in whatever happens with the building. Currently it gets some use and can be rented out for events (I almost rented it for my wedding). The use can be expanded, but it's unlikely its future would be brighter in private hands.

[dougsandiego]

This is the type of project that builds attractive, livable, and even "great" cities.

[thelakelander]

^The city still owns it but they aren't doing anything with it.

Snyder does get used for performances during ArtWalk...and I believe will once again be used at Jazz Fest this year

^So they use it for about three hours 12-15 out of 365 days of the year?  In other words, they aren't doing anything with it.  It would be nice to see COJ issue an RFP and return it back to the private sector.

That implies there'd be a buyer, or at least a buyer who wouldn't tear it down. The city should be a partner in whatever happens with the building. Currently it gets some use and can be rented out for events (I almost rented it for my wedding). The use can be expanded, but it's unlikely its future would be brighter in private hands.

We'll never know if we don't try.  If a guy like Ron is willing to take a chance on the two structures across the street, who knows who will possibly step up to the plate if presented the opportunity.  Right now, we're assuming something may not materialize resulting in doing absolutely nothing, which causes the building to further decay and the surrounding area/park to have less vibrant activity.  Nevertheless, to truly activate Hemming Plaza's outer square, these buildings need to be used for everyday activities.  Event rental and opening the doors for a couple hours one evening per month isn't enough.

[CityLife]

Tacachale, the city can condition the RFP to ensure that the building is not torn down. It can also write the RFP in ways that will result in a desired use being selected.

And if a legit buyer doesn't meet the conditions of the RFP then the building will just sit vacant like it currently is. There's really nothing to lose. Like Lake said, we'll never know if we don't try.

[Lunican]

I have a question for Ron.

If this were an empty lot, would it be feasible for you to put up a new building on this site?

[finehoe]

Maybe MJ should do a continuing series on the trials, tribulations, rewards and surprises that come with doing a project like this.  A lot of people, myself included, dream of doing this type of thing, but have a fear of the unexpected/unknown.  Maybe sharing Ron's experiences will help and encourage others to do the same.

This is a great idea.  An irregular series with pictures documenting the process would be a popular feature with a lot of the MJ crowd.