Early signs of progress are visible at the lots located south of University Avenue and on both sides of 26th Street that will soon be redeveloped into a mixed-use space. Proposed plans for the development call for a hotel, apartments, urban-style row houses, and retail space.

This week, the construction area will be fenced off, including five Drake-owned houses that occupy the site. Prior to the start of the project, Drake placed the houses on the market in hopes of finding qualified buyers. Two of the homes were sold and will be relocated to the Sherman Hill neighborhood in mid-August. Drake is allowing a portion of the demolition costs that were saved on these houses to be used to help with the relocation effort. The three homes that did not sell will be torn down July 31. Habitat for Humanity has salvaged all materials and items from the houses and will reuse or resell them in its ReStore prior to demolition.

Since Drake sent out a request for proposals to redevelop the site, the University has been closely working with area neighbors and business owners as well as the Neighborhood Development Corporation in hopes of designing a project that will not only spur economic growth but develop pride among students and the neighboring community. The original committee that selected Nelson Construction and Development as the developer included three neighborhood residents and a neighborhood business owner.

Currently, Nelson is in the final stages of the design process and will solicit further feedback from neighborhood partners before finalizing the design. Read more on the project and view conceptual renderings here.

— Nick Valdez, Neighborhood and Community Relations Manager