Avondale Estates details potential downtown street grid, green space
Avondale Estates conducted a joint commission/downtown development authority work session Tuesday, discussing a future layout and foundation for downtown.
The meeting originated partly over the city’s increasing frustration with Euramex Management’s reluctance to give a public presentation of its development plans for downtown. As explained in depth Tuesday, Avondale wants to re-establish the original downtown grid that apparently disappeared when the old Fenner Dunlop Mill expanded. Streets like Lake, Parry and Center Streets were truncated, while Green Street completely vanished.
The city also wants an effective sidewalk network and an official town green space (three potential sites have been identified).
“The idea,” said Mayor Jonathan Elmore, “is that we put in this (foundation) and (Euramex) builds around that. But right now they’re not showing us what we want, and they aren’t reaching out to the community. They haven’t put a drawing before the community. I hope they will listen to what we said tonight.”
Elmore said he wasn’t aware of any Euramex representatives present Tuesday, though he plans to contact the developer next week. An additional discussion on the downtown foundation is planned for a Feb. 24 commission work session.
