Renovation plans in works

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A pair of buildings in Delaware’s transitional subdistrict of the Downtown Historic District Overlay could soon be remodeled pending approval from the Delaware Historic Preservation Commission.

Clarke Architects, Inc. went before the commission on Aug. 24 for an informal review of its proposed projects at 22 and 28 W. Winter St., which are owned by CDSG Investments LLC. The remodeling of the adjacent buildings would combine the existing retail elements of the first floors with renovated residential spaces above them.

At the two-story 28 W. Winter St. building, which was formerly occupied by Ralph Martin for his shoe repair shop for decades, the building owner is aiming to completely rebuild its interior. The first-floor retail space would remain in place with the storefront reconstructed, while the second and third floors would be converted into a loft-style, three-bedroom apartment with the existing garage at the rear of the building remaining for future tenants.

Plans for the building at 22 W. Winter St., which sits adjacent to the Bun’s Restaurant parking lot, include combining the existing nine apartments into a total of four units. Each apartment would include two bedrooms and its own bathroom. An approximately 16-by-21-foot addition would be constructed on the northwest corner of the building to accommodate minimum unit sizes, a loft-style apartment with a rooftop deck, and a stairwell to access the second and third floors.

Like the other building, the retail space on the first floor would remain in place. Its most recent tenants include the Neuhart Cards sports memorabilia and Cross Strings music stores.

During the meeting, Development Planner Dianne Guenther expressed the city’s general support for the projects assuming the architectural standards are met.

“One of the main advantages of this project, too, is in keeping with the Delaware Together Comprehensive Plan,” she said. “As we’re looking into different housing options and affordable housing options, it’s in line with the city’s new comprehensive plan and helps the actions and objectives of the downtown as well as the residential development while preserving the historic buildings.”

City documents for the proposal stated, “With taking suggestions from (city) staff and the Historic Preservation Commission into account, the proposed building and site design will add favorably to revitalizing the historic fabric of the Historic District, while adding new components that will revitalize housing options in the downtown area while not being contrary to the architectural standards.

“Staff views this application as in keeping with the Delaware Together Comprehensive Plan’s actions and objectives as to the downtown and residential development while preserving the facades and reactivating the buildings.”

Because Wednesday’s meeting was only an informal review for the purpose of getting feedback on the proposal, the development team must still submit a formal request to the commission for a certificate of appropriateness at a later date.

Reach Dillon Davis at 740-413-0904. Follow him on Twitter @DillonDavis56.

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