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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
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By Darhiana M. Mateo dmateo@courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal |
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The
future of the "Silos
Property" on Preston
Highway remains unclear,
but the small city of
Audubon Park is pushing
for a sit-down
restaurant. During a recent public meeting, property owner Don Schwartz and Vector Development Group presented a proposal to develop the close to 3 acres at 3126-40 Preston Highway into a strip center with a half-dozen carry-out restaurants fronting rows of mini-warehouses. The property got its nickname because it was once used for coal storage. Gary Vogel, an Audubon Park councilman, attended the meeting this month and said residents expressed a desire for a quality sit-down restaurant -- not more fast-food outlets. "With all the upgrades along Preston Highway, most people in the area would like to have a place they can sit down and eat," he said. "Just to have an O'Charley's, Cheddar's, Applebee's in the area would be beneficial to our neighborhood." Schwartz, who owns the Southern Self Storage warehouse next to the Silos Property, stressed that plans are very preliminary. His priority is to expand his storage business. "We're open to any suggestions," said Schwartz, who added that he would look into bringing a sit-down restaurant to the site. The front of the property is zoned C-1. Schwartz is interested in a C-2 rezoning, which would allow alcohol sales. The back of the property already is zoned M-2, which allows mini-warehouses. Schwartz said he thought the heavily traveled area, near the airport and fairgrounds, could benefit from carry-out options. He also is considering turning the front of the property into a retail center or selling it. Councilwoman Cindy Habeeb also attended the meeting and said she's optimistic that the redeveloped property could be a community asset. Mary Rose Evans, a commissioner with the nearby city of Parkway Village and a member of the Preston Corridor Working Group, said the warehouse part of the plans hasn't drawn criticism. Evans said the front is "what we have to look at more. We would like to have a business that is neighborhood-friendly." The Preston Corridor Working Group, which works to make the area more livable for residents, recently conducted a survey to determine the community's needs. The results were clear, Evans said. "People wanted a sit-down restaurant, bookstore, places where people could congregate," she said, adding that that includes businesses that could take advantage of the traffic to the fairgrounds and airport. Evans said residents would prefer for the rezoning application to wait until there is a definite plan and tenants. Audubon Park Mayor Michael Scalise said he would like to see something like a Famous Dave's on the property. The community is set on a sit-down restaurant, and "anything less they're not going to like," council member and former mayor Stephen Miller said. "Having said that, other things could go there and be beneficial." Reporter Darhiana M. Mateo can be reached at (502) 582-7086. |
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