Proposed student housing project at the Franklin Street Docks

desierto

Below are notes from Diana Rhoades at the Ward 1 about a proposed student housing project that would be located at the Franklin Street Docks area (where the Day of the Dead parade ends). An informational meeting was held on Aug. 8th, 2012. The development would be for ~750 students and would incorporate the land around the Steinfeld building as well. There are several partners in the project including Capstone, TownWest, Texla, and Cube3 (architects). They have yet to complete a full feasibility study and haven't nailed down any more than a general design. The building would be 5 stories with a parking structure along the tracks. The plan calls for a private courtyard on the main site and a public courtyard/art space in the area next to the south side of the Steinfeld building.

**

Contact for the project: Angie Rawie of Capstone Collegiate Communities: arawie@capstonemail.com

  • Project: 4.6 acres in area defined by 6th Street to north, Stone to East, Franklin to South and the alley west of Steinfeld to the West. 750 student housing beds, 735 private parking spaces, 25 public parking spaces, arts walk on Franklin and public bike/ped walkway on 9th Avenue
  • Garage – combine art and beauty plus acoustics – not solid wall – open parking structure
  • Entrances to Steinfeld – architect unfamiliar with WAMO plan. Would like to see to integrate
  • 25 parking spaces adjacent to Steinfeld that public/WAMO can use
  • 9th Avenue currently has parking on both sides for Steinfeld so is a loss – not enough parking for Steinfeld
  • Currently 152 monthly permitted parking spaces by Parkwise on the existing lot – where do they go?
  • Is there any opportunity for public parking at City/County Courthouse?
  • 9th Avenue will be public artwalk for bikes and peds but will also be fire/emergency corridor (also driving for tenants to drop off bags? Not sure…)
  • Steinfeld feels isolated and dwarfed by other buildings
  • Would like retail on ground floor (currently where private clubhouse would be). Developer has done retail before so options on the table
  • Buildings are approximately 5 stories. Garage is six stories but lower roof so same as 5 stories
  • Stick construction with embellished features at key points to include art and landscaping
  • Long walk for artwalk to get from Toole past gated housing to 9th Ave – signage
  • Worries about student housing – what is capacity for student housing? Why can’t it be apartments that can be converted to market rate
  • Don’t need a parking garage – people are biking and walking – be BOLD
  • Do need a parking garage for businesses on Toole and for Bates Mansion
  • Like the design style of the new fire station on Cushing
  • Not providing enough of a footprint for the walking bridge over Stone – a critical component needed for the success of the Warehouse Arts District
  • Don’t like student housing in the neighborhood
  • Only crazy people live by the train
  • Move parking to the East side of lot to help facilitate the walking bridge over stone
  • How are utilities being addressed in development
  • Design – are they block buildings or have irregular
  • Like the existing historic buildings
  • Will this help get the no-whistle zone for trains
  • Concerns about traffic patterns on Franklin
  • Franklin main access into the neighborhood from Granada. Entrance from 6th Street will be changed by Downtown Links – no entry on Main – only exit
  • Concerns about pedestrian, wheelchair, bike safety at potential roundabout at Franklin intersection
  • Will there be shuttles for University students?  No. Cat Tran stop is close by.
  • Bicycle parking located in garage
  • Could developer change plans and have market rate housing or is it student housing or nothing? Could units be converted to apartments? Not the 4 bed ones.
  • Developer says that all ideas are on the table
  • Do students empty out in summer? Developer says students sign leases for 12 months
  • What is students/non students ratio of dwellers downtown?
  • Zoning: Lots of suggestions in previously approved zoning examiner’s report – are they following those?
  • Developer needs a rezoning of the former brewery location to make it residential – OCR2
  • Developer needs a zoning extension of 5 years and a re-do of development agreement
  • Could street parking be added to some of the wider streets north of the development – in Dunbar?
  • Would like to see young professionals, mixed incomes of people contributing to neighborhood
  • Need shade for artwalk
  • Need art incubation – maybe 1 percent for art? Landmark feature of contemporary design on the back of the garage and elsewhere to identify the arts district – design competition?
  • No decks or balconies are planned in these furnished units
  • Could neighborhood get membership at pool? No.
  • Goal is Fall of 2014. $50 million investment.
  • No LEED rating but sustainable “Green” design and features
  • Design compatibility for Warehouse Arts District and historic neighborhood
  • Major bike thoroughfare – Downtown Links deck links to Dunbar and Citizen’s Arts Warehouses
  • Opportunities available with final design of what happens to 6th in Downtown Links – land available
  • Lot 175 will also be developed in future – need to take into consideration the traffic on Franklin from that development as well.
  • This might be the best chance for investment w/o waiting another 15 years living next to an empty lot
  • If it’s classy, beautiful and functioning, and helps businesses, we will like it.