BengalNews Reporters
Karl Frizlen, president of The Frizlen Group Architects, is investing $3.8 million into 346 Connecticut St., the building formerly known as Horsefeather’s Architectural Antiques. A specific closing date has yet to be identified, however, after the process of closing with the chosen lenders has finished, the project will be underway. Frizlen is hoping for a
mid-summer start date. There are two hurdles that Frizlen must clear before he is able to go ahead with the project. To get final approval for the project Frizlen must receive clearance for an amendment in the zoning code for the building and needs to secure the state historic tax credits that are an essential part of the projects funding.
Connecticut Street falls under C-1 Zoning codes. This zone applies to areas easily accessible and useful for retail. A meeting to finalize the approval of the zoning for the building is in place for next month.
Tax credits are a dollar amount that comes off of the taxes a developer will have to pay on the property. They are in place to promote development by saving the developer money on taxes as an incentive for their expansion of business. By not having to pay as much in taxes, it allows the developers to focus on running the business and getting return on their investment.
“Even though the store front is slightly modified, enough of it is still there, most of the street lost its significance so it’s a key connection to the past,” Harvey Garrett, executive director of the West Side Community Collaborative, said.
The West Side Collaborative is a collaboration of over 30 West Side nonprofit community and faith-based organizations.
“The building is iconic because of the magnitude, density and value of the building,” Frizlen said. “It is important to redo and save this building.”
Frizlen proposed that the building consist of a local food market, including a farmers’ market, apartments that will rent between $1,000 and $1,400 a month, office space and food production and processing.
The building was previously used as a warehouse to store furniture and antiques. It has been vacant the past two to three years.
The 16 apartments consisting of 3 bedrooms to 4 bedrooms are intended for the use of student and faculty housing.
The main floor will host a food market including a bistro and micro stalls, which will allow customers the option to watch the food preparation process before purchase. Food for production will include sausage, yogurt and salsa.
Frizlen is looking to work with 15 vendors total and has closed a deal with 6 vendors to 8 vendors. Some vendors include White Cow Dairy, a dairy farm in East Otto and Pasta Peddler.
Wine aging and mushroom growing will take place in the basement as well as the placement of a stationary exercise bike that will generate electricity for the first two floors of the building.
