Start of Art Park project delayed

Construction of a mixed-use development at the Art Park site will be delayed until spring 2015, according to Brian Militana of site developer Sebastian Mariscal Studio, Inc. (SMS).

Construction was scheduled to begin in the fall, but Militana said it would have been “too big a push” to make that deadline. He said SMS is currently focused on finishing the construction drawings.

The Art Park site is City-owned land between Parker and Terrace Streets that is being redeveloped into community gardens and residential and retail space. The site currently contains murals, mosaic footpath tiles and colorful furniture, and community gardens that were operated by local residents.

SMS’s plan is to redevelop the Art Park site into 44 apartments with 10 affordable housing units; 58,000 square feet of green space; and 4,000 square feet of retail space. The site will have 30 parking spaces and 82 bike-parking spaces.

The site will also have community gardens on the roof of the buildings, along with a solar-panel farm towards the Terrace Street side. It is expected to be LEED-certified platinum, which is the construction industry’s highest energy-efficient rating. The site is slated to produce more energy than it will use.

The Art Park site was closed earlier this year after having been found to have high levels of lead, and the City has prohibited access to it. The developers will clean up the site.

The entrance to the Art Park, which is slated to be redeveloped into housing and gardens starting spring 2015. (Gazette Photo by Peter Shanley)

The entrance to the Art Park, which is slated to be redeveloped into housing and gardens starting spring 2015. (Gazette Photo by Peter Shanley)

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