Development proposal for 6201- 6209 Columbia Ave

[George]

Development proposal for 6201- 6209 Columbia Ave, former site of Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church coming soon

[Columbia Bungalow]

Hopefully it involves keeping the grass mowed.

[rehughes621]

There is a post regarding the property and the memorandum from the purchasers under "From the CHNA President".  Announcement for June Vote and Church Property.
All information I currently have is in the post.  If you have questions, please let me know.

Becky

[George]

Development proposal for 6201- 6209 Columbia Ave




Click here for larger View






Click here for larger View

[George]

The Developer Bill Ridings has joined our Forum so he can answer our questions and read our comments his user name is
bridings.

[keller71]

Personally, I am not to crazy about the looks of them at all. I think they look like cheap, plain apartments buildings. They have no charm what-so-ever. I thought they would reflect the ones across the street and the neighborhood in general. Is this really how you see our neighborhood?

[zarahf]

I have to admit I  did expect them to have a little more character.

[mjm]

While think the could have a little "more" to them.. they actually fit in nicely with the architecture we see around the neighborhood. Just look at the 2 1/2 stories on Magnolia and around Colombia..

[George]

I have requested from Bill a image of what will be voted on at the next CHNA Meeting, two separate buildings, each containing two units, for a total of four units.
We need some clarification on exactly what we will be asked to approve, there are still some bad memories from the last Bait and Switch episode by another developer.

[George]

Courtesy Post:

George-
 
I haven't figured out how to reply directly to the questions and comments that I have read but hope this works.
 
1)  I don't have a rendering of the two buildings side-by-side that you have requested. The second building is identical to the first building. All I have is the "foot print" of the proposed layout with the Eastern building turned to parallel Clifton. Hopefully they won't be lined up in a straight line. This is subject to change, depending on what we can do in order to comply with set back lines, side lines, etc. This won't be available until we are ready to submit to the City Planning and Zoning.
2) I'm not sure I understand the comment (question) about how I feel about the neighborhood. It's a great neighborhood with many house that have charm and character, and we are trying to match the look of the apartments across Clifton.
3) I hope your experience with us will be better than the other proposal.
 
Regards,
 
Bill Ridings  314 422 3990

[George]

From our Archives CHNA Newsletter Page 2 December/ January 2005

Church Site Redevelopment Update

As many of you may or may not be aware, a developer is looking into the Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church site at the corner of Columbia and Clifton. His plans would involve construction of six (6) two and a half (2-1/2) story townhouses on thislot. Each townhouse would be 20' wide, 50' deep and 30' tall. Each unit would have three (3) bedrooms and two and a half (2-1/2) baths and would list for approximately $250,000 - $275,000. Several of you have expressed your desires, wants, opinions, questions, etc. (from modifying this current proposal to totally against it) through door-to-door survey, telephone calls, CHNA meeting, etc. The developer is trying to get this through quickly, so the zoning variance meeting may be as early as January. One of his requirements is a ten year property tax abatement. Copies of the proposed development can be obtained from Debbie Layne. As this will greatly impact our neighborhood, anyone who has not yet voiced their thoughts (pro or con) may do so by contacting any of the officers of the Association or Sharon Barnes. You could also plan on attending the January 24, 2005 CHNA meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m. at Mason School.

[Gman]

This is off topic, but someone that lives in the 2600 of Clifton suggested using the lot for commercial use, with off street  parking on the west side.

Thoughts?

[George]

The proposal was approved at tonight's CHNA Meeting.

[3boys]

For sale sign is back up at the property.  Alderman Waterhouse just informed the CHNA that the original developer, Bill Ridings, is no longer proceeding with this project.  Why wouldn't he have contacted the President of the association or someone about this earlier - he knows that this is an important issue to the neighborhood.  We just voted it's approval last month.  Unless he just found out about Ridings pulling out there is no excuse for his omission.  (And since I saw the sign last week he probably knew about it by then, too!)

[rehughes621]

The first I heard about Mr. Ridings pulling out of the project was at Monday night's meeting.  Had I heard anything, I would have passed the information along to the email list and posted on the forum.