Ugh once upon a time this was slated for redevelopment….
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Some day perhaps we will be rid of this stale birthday cake of a building, but it’s the parking lot I hate much more.
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I thought Hatem/Empire Properties bought/owns it and already plans to build the 6-story apartment building, no???
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Their FB post from Jan 20th said so at least:
We’re working on a development plan that will include a 6-story, mixed-use building on the non-historic Wilmington Street sites
Either they always intended to sell the site with an approved plan as “shovel-ready”, which they never indicated… or they changed their minds. I wonder if they found something during teardown that made them reconsider.
Both could be true. They may be working on the zoning entitlement process but also seeking an owner/developer that could then utilize those rights.
Building is a pretty major investment that would tie up development capital that might best be utilized elsewhere.
Also the new owner would not have to take any risks or wait for that entitlement process to run its course. Could go straight to bank money instead of what is usually off-the-hip front end expenses.
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What I’m gathering from this discussion: “Enjoy the empty, rundown storefront and empty, useless building next door for the next 10 years! At minimum!” 
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