OCR Text |
Show i - p r 17 " v35 " ; ,,-. I ... . . .. I t' I" j ! i i i - ----- - -. . . - - . L.-.---.- ' '- -:: - - - " LAKEWOODS REMODELING By GARY R. BLODGETT BOUNTIFUL - The first major project under the city's downtown redevelopment program is well underway at Lakewoods Furniture, 70 North Main. "ALTHOUGH WE are do. ing this remodeling project on our own, it is the first step in the city's new redevelopment program," said Dell R. Holbrook, principal owner of the 74-year-old business firm. "I hope that our develop- ment project will entice others to remodel and beautify beau-tify their businesses as well, 5 and perhaps it will open the ?. door to attracting new I businesses to the downtown area." I HE EXPLAINED that there are more than 50 acres of 1 available property for com- mercial use in the downtown 2 area between 500 South and 5 400 North and between 100 i East and 100 West. "This is the downtown S redevelopment area as outlined by the city council i and there is need for vast 5 improvements," he said. I "There is still plenty of op- portunity for new business including big businesses to t build downtown." MR. HOLBROOK and : --business partner Allen Taylor confirmed that the remodeling project of their ' - (Lakewoods) store is one of 1 beautification and not of ex-;. ex-;. oansion. ; "We're putting on a new front and remodeling most of : the store for the convenience of our customers," said Mr. ; Holbrook. "A front will also : be added to the south for a projected plaza development in hopes of attracting new business to the city." MR. ALLEN added: "We have long been aware of a need for a major shopping shop-ping center and mall in the city center and Lakewoods . Home Furnishings has taken the first step." THEY EXPLAINED that there will be a large side door . on the south of the store for the main entrance. "The new extrance will be off the south parking lot which is more convenient to our customers," they said. "Also; the mall corridor would lead from Main Street to the entrance and serve as a passageway for projected construction south of the store." ROBERT T. Dewey is architect for the remodeling project. Construction is by Rocky Mountain Construction Company. The two businessmen agreed that it will be two or three years before major businesses are operating in the downtown area but that the time is soon coming. "I DON'T think there is any question about new businesses coming to the downtown area soon," said Mr. Holbrook. "We'd like tc-see tc-see LaBell's downtown instead in-stead of out near the Colonial Shopping Center where they have been talking of future building. "There is ample property' for commercial development remaining in the downtown area and with the new redevelopment project approved, it would make it This architect sketch of Lakewoods proposed rem odelin g shows four large bay display windows on Main Street with the main entrance to the store being on the south, adjacent to the proposed mall. Remodeling of Lakewoods is first major project in Bountif ul's new redevelopment area. economically possible to buy the land before the cost of the property might have made it uneconomical to build downtown." MR. HOLBROOK added that downtown merchants . have been 'kicked in the -. pants long. enough" and now " is the time to rally for an improved and expanded downtown business district. "I hope the city won't have to condemn land in this new redevelopment project," Mr. Holbrook said seriously. "But something has got to be done to refurbish this area or we're going to be in trouble." LAKEWOODS WAS started 74 years ago as the Holbrook-Smedley Holbrook-Smedley Furniture and Casket Company. The original site was adjacent (north) of the present building. build-ing. It was owned by brothers Mark and Ira Holbrook and Frank Smedley. Dell R. Holbrook, son of Mark, is principal owner with Allen Taylor as part owner and partner. UNDER THE Bountiful Redevelopment Agency, comprised of the mayor and city council, a taxing program will provide funds to refurbish and remodel existing exist-ing buildings in the designat-- designat-- ed redevelopment area.-. . The plan provides for tax increment funding which provides that the redevelopment redevelop-ment agency (city council) gets the extra taxes received because of improvements in the redevelopment area, which increases the value of the property. "THIS MAKES it more worthwhile for owners of existing businesses in the area to improve and refurbish their buildings," it was explained. City Manager Grant P. Petersen Pe-tersen estimated that the city would collect between $50,000 and $150,000 in one year . through the program. THE COMPLEX redevelopment redevelop-ment program consists of seven goals for the first year, but does not include removal of any buildings or relocation of any residences that might be in the area. However, before Sept. 15, 1979, the agency will attempt to: 1. INITIATE A feasibility study of the area and methods of financing projects within the area. 2. Study public works and construction needs in the area. 3. ANALYZE HOUSING needs, particularly of the elderly. el-derly. 4. Consider establishment of a design review committee to review and critique the ' development proposals. 5. CONTACT PRIVATE. developers about building in the area. 6. Analyze parking facilities in the area. 7. TAKE AN inventory of historic sites. The redevelopment area as approved by the Bountiful Redevelopment Agency (council) extends from 500 South to 400 North between 100 West and 100 East; west of Main on 500 South to beyond 500 West; south of 500 South west of Main; the Five Points Shopping Center; Colonial Square Shopping Center; Penney's Shopping Center; and 500 West from 1500 South to beyond 400 North. THE redevelopment area includes nearly all of the city's commercial area which represents about eight percent per-cent of the city's total assessed as-sessed valuation, according to City Planner Jon Reed Boothe. |