The developer planning to demolish small 20th century apartment buildings in the 500 block of 8th Street leaked a few details Friday.
City Plan Commission member Amanda Popken received information from Lennar Multifamily Corp., which purchased the block, except for one property at 8th and Llewellyn, in December.
She reports:
Tenants were given 60-day notice to move as well as financial incentive to help them relocate. Everyone had moved out by Feb. 15, and no one was evicted.
The developer received a demolition permit for part of the property this week, and they are awaiting others. Demolition is expected to begin in late March or early April.
Construction is expected to begin this summer.
Each side of the street will have four-story apartment buildings taking up the full block, which The Advocate predicted in 2018.
The 225 apartments, comprising 500-1,400 square feet, will be available at market rate, and there is no no affordable component.
Lennar has allowed former property owners, as well as Bishop Arts landlord David Spence of Good Space, to salvage some of the architectural elements of the buildings, such as doors, windows, crown molding and bricks. Orr Reed is expected to salvage more before demolition begins.
