WEST TOWN — Developers plan to demolish two late 19th century apartment buildings along Huron Street and replace them with condos.
The six-unit complex proposed for 1520-22 W. Huron St. would be designed by architect John Hanna, and developed by Mark Pieczka and Andy Rogowski, who each own one of the existing multi-unit buildings.
The developers presented plans at a community meeting at Eckart Park last week in hopes of winning support for the zoning changes they'd need to move forward. According to Ald. Joe Moreno's (1st) office, residents voted 19 to five in favor of the development.
Mark Kupiec, an attorney representing the developers, said that because of the age and condition of the buildings, each of which are more than 120 years old, it would be best to demolish them and build newer homes in their place.
"We're bringing better housing to the neighborhood," Kupiec said.
The condos are designed to have seven parking spaces and garbage facilities, Kupiec said. Two parking spaces would be at the lower level of the building, accessed by a ramp, while the other five would be in the back of the building.
Units will range from about 1400 to 2600 square feet, with four duplex units and two simplex units, Pieczka said.
Neighbor Suzanne Erin, who attended the meeting, said she wouldn't mind seeing the current homes demolished. She currently rents a unit in one of the complexes, and plans to move out soon.
"I think it would be much better for something new to be there," Erin, 29, said. "It's a very old building that has not settled well."
Resident John Argento, who owns a single-family home on the block, called the proposal an improvement over what's currently there but questioned what could be a pattern of condo developments in the area.
"At one point does it become too much?" Argento, 48, said.
He cited a recently built nine-unit complex on his block as an example and said he'd prefer a better mix of single-family and multi-unit homes.
"If this one goes through, I don't think it's the end of the world," Argento said. "But I wouldn't want to see the whole neighborhood go this direction."
