SEWARD—The Seward Co-op’s move down Franklin Avenue cleared a hurdle in its path toward its planned relocation to the Riverside Market site at East Franklin and Riverside avenues, when, on Aug. 27, the Planning Commission approved rezoning, setback variances and the vacation of an adjacent alley.

Approval of the site plan did come with conditions to be met, including:

• Planning staff review and approval of the site plan, lighting plan, landscaping plan and elevations before permits are issued

• Larger, unobstucted windows to be installed on the new façade on the east side of the building

• Specific size requirements for drive aisles and parking stalls

• Landscaping, at least four feet tall, as a graffiti prevention measure

• Along Franklin Avenue, room for a 10-foot-wide sidewalk and a four-foot green boulevard

The co-op’s next hurdle was the City Council’s Zoning and Planning Committee on Sept. 27, followed by full council vote on Oct. 5, according to Eric Hatting, project manager for Seward Co-op. Assuming approval is granted, the co-op is “contemplating starting destruction in late December,” said Hatting, with roughly nine months of construction to follow. That process would include abatement of “a little bit of everything” from the Riverside Market and East End Auto Shop buildings, as well as two houses on the site.

A different kind of milestone is still ahead as well: closing on financing for the project, according to Hatting.

last revised: October 24, 2007

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