Bennett Lumber redevelopment update 4/7/12

The three-block stretch on the north side of the Midtown Greenway between Fremont Avenue and Colfax Avenue, also known as the Bennett Lumber site, continues to move towards redevelopment. As you may recall, Greystar purchased the far east parcel in early 2012 and planned to take over development plans to construct approximately 220 apartment units.

In March 2012, the project’s Architect (ESG) presented to the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Board and provided a brief update on the east parcel’s design as well as indicated that Greystar would like to purchase the remaining sites.

Highlights of the east parcel:
- Would like to have a LEED building.
- Promenade still going to happen.
- Strongly considering removing the wall packs on the outside of the building to make it prettier and potentially more energy efficient.
- There will be a bike in/out connection to the Greenway at the Greenway level.
- Should start construction at end of April.

A revised rendering of the Bennett East site, looking north over the Midtown Greenway between Colfax Avenue (right) and Dupont Avenue (left).

In addition, the architect discussed with the neighborhood some concepts for the other parcels. At the end of the day, the project would likely have 700-something apartment units in what will likely be 3+ buildings. The “conservative” (my word) model showed a six story building on both parcels adjacent the Greenway and stepping down to four stories on the middle site and three stories on the west site. (See photo below).

Bennett Lumber Site redevelopment massing study, showing option A

Other models were presented simply to gauge whether or not the community would want to go through the process of discussing slightly reconfigured models. The models included looking at an eight story option on one part of one building with slightly shorter other buildings or an even taller option of a 13 story skinny tower with a short base on the far west parcel. Generally, the majority of the conversation from a few neighborhood residents was that there wasn’t interest in discussing a 13 story building. One resident did speak up saying that he thought the conversation was worth having, in part because having every building being six and four stories may not be desirable.

It sounded like ESG would discuss with Greystar their next move and come back to the neighborhood.

Other highlights:
- Promenade would extend west on the south edge of the site, with a grand staircase between Dupont and Emerson.
- All buildings would have a different architectural look.
- All buildings would have the same density.
- Different size buildings could allow for different housing unit types, like townhomes.

Thatcher Imboden

How cities work and change, how they are the product of their inhabitants and outside forces, and the resulting livability keep me thinking and dreaming about the future. I work in urban real estate development, am Past President of an Uptown business organization, grew up in Uptown, was on an Uptown neighborhood association Board, and am an Uptown and Lyn-Lake historian.

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