A month ago commissioners and residents responding to an online survey were nearly unanimous in approving a design by local architect Sheri Locke for developing four city-owned acres just west of the Tudor Village.
But after a Sept. 6 work session, commissioners and Downtown Development Authority representatives remain uncertain how much such a development will cost and how the city will pay for it.
Back in June DDA Chairman Sam Collier said the city hoped to break ground on a project by year’s end. But this week Mayor Jonathan Elmore said there was no timetable and officials were still gathering information.
“Our goal is to get something done, no doubt about it,” Elmore said. “But first we have to get a cost estimate on the public space — the sidewalks, green space and how expensive it would be to cut off Franklin [Street].”
Locke’s design, chosen from among 10 submissions, has Franklin getting absorbed by green space between Lake and Oak Streets. The total two-acre green space area includes crisscrossing pathways, a terraced lawn and a pedestrian street bisecting the green. Two buildings fronting North Avondale Road will house, according to the plan, several restaurants and retail stores.
Elmore said he hopes to have specific cost estimates by the Oct. 4 work session.
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