NORWICH – The city was awarded $200k by the state last week to renovate a vacant downtown building that officials hope to flip as a viable retail or commercial space – maybe even a restaurant.
The city took possession of the Frames Unlimited Building, located at 24 E. Main St., in July on back taxes. The two-story, 3,850 square foot wood-framed structure hasn’t been in use for roughly two years, according to city officials. For over two decades, it was the site of Casey Jones’ Photography Studio.
“Structurally the building is in reasonably good condition, but there is still a lot work that needs to be done,” said Planning and Community Development Specialist Todd Dreyer, noting majority of the interior needs upgrading, along with the exterior siding. “It’s going to be pretty much a top-to-bottom rehab.”
As part of the renovations, funded by the Restore NY program, the first floor will be designed for retail, dining or commercial use, with the second floor being divided into two one-bedroom apartments.
“We’d like to see a retail-type business, something along those lines,” Mayor Joseph P. Maiurano said. “The space is suited for any type of business, really.”
The property will be put up for sale at a “moderate price,” Maiurano said, most likely at fair market value. Prospective buyers will be required to submit business and design plans for the site as part of a standard request for proposals (RFP) process. It has not been decided if a buyer will be chosen before or after the project is complete, Dreyer added, or specifically how the selection committee will be comprised.
Ultimately, all proposals should include the creation of four to five full-time jobs, or the equivalent in salaries, a program outline states.
“When there’s so much repair work that needs to be done, that’s what holds people back from buying a property,” said Maiurano. “This way it’s certified, it’s fixed, it’s guaranteed. It’s a turnkey property. This makes it palatable for these businesses. They can move right in and do anything.”
Profits from the sale would go back into a community development fund, Maiurano said, which goes toward city-financed business loan programs and downtown improvement costs.
Construction bids are expected to go out in the next one to two months, with work scheduled to start in mid-winter, Dreyer said. Maiurano estimates the project could be completed as early as late spring.
The expense of maintaining the property until it is sold – mainly lawn care – will be minimal, city officials contend. The utilities are off, and all permit, deed transfer and administrative costs related to the building will be covered by the Restore NY funding, city Finance Director William Roberts said.
The city used $300k in Restore NY grants earlier this year to pay for the demolition and construction of houses at 23 Grove Ave., 7 Waite St., and 52 Fair St. Final interior work at those homes is currently underway. The sale of those houses is targeted at moderate income, first-time home buyers.