| Reinventing downtown Projects expected to supply a shot of urban energy 05/30/2001 By Wendy Hundley / The Dallas Morning News
Brick by brick, the new East Side Village development is transforming the
look and feel of downtown Plano.
The wooden skeleton of the three-story complex and parking garage is
giving way to brick and mortar, giving passers-by a better idea of what
the development will look like when it opens Sept. 1. Balconies recently
have been added to the apartments that will overlook the DART light-rail
station, which is slated to open at 15th Street and Avenue J in 2003.
"In the next 30 days, people will see the project take on a more
finished appearance," developer Robert Shaw said. "We'll start putting
in the sidewalks and the trees and the storefront awnings on the
buildings."
The "new urbanism" project, built on a 3.5-acre site owned by the city
along Avenue K near 15th Street, will boast 229 apartments and dozens of
retail shops and offices surrounding a central parking garage.
Some neighbors say they're looking forward to the project's opening. The
development, they say, promises an infusion of vitality and business for
downtown merchants.
"So many small downtown areas are gone," said Ernest Love, owner of Love
Photography on 15th Street. "I think it's going to be great for
everybody."
Several nearby merchants said they will appreciate the additional
parking that will come with the new garage.
"One of our problems is public parking, and this will help a lot," said
Bill Hines, manager of Plano Carpets. "It'll be a shot in the arm for
downtown Plano."
Downtown worker Judy Rechtfertig said she believes the $16 million
complex will add some urban energy to the area without detracting from
the intimacy and charm of the small shops and offices along 15th.
"It's going to be like big-city life in a small town," she said. "The
old and the new coming together ... it's like we're growing up."
"We are excited," said Ms. Rechtfertig, who works at New Additions
infant's and children's clothing shop. "I think it's going to be a big
boost and bring in people from all over."
Mr. Shaw agreed.
"I have a great feeling how the market is going to respond to this,"
said Mr. Shaw, adding that the development's marketing center will open
next week in the A.R. Schell & Son Insurance Agency office. The
apartments and lofts will rent for $600 to $1,300, he said.
He said a coffee shop operator has already leased the retail space on
the corner of Avenue K and 15th Place, and he's talking to a couple of
people interested in opening restaurants in the complex.
East Side Village will be the first of two downtown redevelopment
projects undertaken by Mr. Shaw and Amicus Partners Ltd. of Addison. Mr.
Shaw said the first project will be compatible with Plano's historic
downtown architecture and retain "the mercantile nature of main street."
A second project – which Mr. Shaw calls East Side Village II – "will be
less evocative of the past and will look more toward the future."
On a 3.3-acre site bordered by 14th Street, Avenue K, 15th Street and
Municipal Avenue, the project is slated to break ground as soon as the
first project opens in September.
Staff writer Wendy Hundley can be reached at 214-977-6989 and at .
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