Photo: Roth & McGilchrist buildings (old Jonathan's site) in Salem sold. Working on story. #sjnow twitter.com/mrose_SJ/statu…From the SJ:
— Michael Rose (@mrose_SJ) February 1, 2013
Twelve apartments will be developed in the buildings’ upper floors, with rents ranging from about $650 to $1,100 a month, [new owner] Doty said. The site has a 22-space parking lot available for apartment dwellers, as well businesses in the buildings.These buildings at the corner of Liberty and State have been in desperate need of some attention and care. Downtown apartments on the second story above retail and offices are exactly what the buildings and the City needs.
The buildings’ previous owner was the Miriam L. Bednarz [mother of new Councilor Warren Bednarz] family trust. Both structures were built in 1916.
This is great news.
September update!
The Roth/McGilchrist Buildings are under renovation. A grocery store, martini bar and condos are coming to downtown! pic.twitter.com/SQrYNmrRnCUpdate - December, 2014
— Salem Planning (@Salem_Planning) August 30, 2013
The latest biz to open in the McGilchrist and Roth buildings: Gayle's Italian Market http://t.co/YulbeukxhU #SJBiz pic.twitter.com/s90sXEwTO1
— Laura Fosmire (@fosmirel) December 12, 2014
7 comments:
At the last work session on the Bridgasaurus Boondogglus, there was an economic development chat beforehand ... A whole lot of gassing on about how Salem needs to do what every other burg has done to try to doll itself up so the developers will drop a few bucks in our tip jars. What occurred to me is that we should try this instead: rather than blow more money pushing things further and further apart (which is what parking does), we should draw a boundary around the core area and require every building within that area to be elevator accessible, either by it's own elevator or by a covered or indoor skyway big enough to support two elders in scooters. And then impose a vacancy fee on downtown structures such that every vacant property hurts the owner more and more. Use the fees the provide zero interest loans to property owners to create the elevator accessible spaces.
You're right. Somehow the incentive structure has become inverted! Empty buildings and lots need to be more expensive, and occupied and improved buildings relatively cheaper in this sense! I don't know what that looks like, but it sure seems like the Urban Renewal Agency and City ought to help the market along - not with more lipstick for signs and awnings, but with more substantive improvements and rehab of existing building stock.
I like that idea. Downtown vacancies drive me nuts. Like the building on State, beside Salem Summit and across street from Cascade Baking Co.
Has anyone else heard about the building where Gilgamesh Lounge just closed being torn down?
Here's an old photo of the Crystal Garden Ballroom building.
It looked pretty shabby circa 1960, and when Tigress was having some events upstairs, it looked like it needed a good bit of TLC.
I wonder if it might be beyond repair and rehab for more than the short-term.
I haven't heard of anything, but it wouldn't surprise me.
Maybe others have heard more.
Downtown Salem must've been a grand location to have had so many theaters and ballrooms.
I like what Salem Heritage Network wrote about the building.
The "grocery" isn't very big and may operate more like a specialty deli.
From the paper today:
"Gayle’s City Market, which would offer a selection of Italian groceries, local cheeses and fresh produce, intends to move into a 3,000-square-foot space most recently occupied by Heath Florist and Le Motive Hairdressing.
The business would include an Italian-style deli and a meat market, as well as a wine cellar and multipurpose room for events in its basement."
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20131013/NEWS/310130029/Tenants-eyeing-historic-digs-downtown
By comparison, the new Green Zebra convenience store in Portland is twice as big:
"At 5,600 square feet, Green Zebra is roughly one-sixth the size of an average grocery store, but its shelves are lined densely together. You can find plenty of fixings to assemble a dinner -- there’s a meat counter and several aisles that look no different than other groceries -- but the store emphasizes convenience, too."
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/10/green_zebra_grocery_opens_in_k_1.html
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