Welcome to Ultraground. We look for changes from industrial to multifamily.

April 10, 2024

District: 2 | Northside

Theron Bryant and Jeff Givens of Transwesten, a national developer with a 1,874-asset portfolio, propose a 1-acre/16-unit rezone of historic properties. The plan includes renovating the circa-1912 Holland buildings into a mixed-use product with 16 1-bedrooms plus restaurants, offices, retail, and business spaces within the Historic Marine neighborhood.

Bryant and Givens are seeking State and Federal Historic Tax Credits, which would limit the buildings' height to 3 stories, despite the proposed MU-2 zoning allowing for 5-10 stories. The developer emphasized their commitment to preserving the site's historical significance while creating a unique, modern mixed-use space.

The zoning commission narrowly approved the case with a 9-0 vote, but it faced the possibility of postponement due to Commissioner Tiesa Leggett's concerns about the lack of clarity regarding parking solutions.

The applicant's ability to address this issue during the meeting likely contributed to the commission's decision to move forward with the approval.

Opposition from the community, represented by Gladys Guevara and Richard Perez, centered around the potential impact on residential properties, displacement of residents, and the loss of B (2-Family Residential) zoning secured in the 1990s. They requested a 30-day continuance to facilitate dialogue between the developer and the community.

Bryant, while open to community outreach, expressed hesitation about delaying the project due to time and financial constraints. The zoning commission narrowly approved the case with a 9-0 vote, barely avoiding the postponement.

The case now proceeds to City Council for a final decision on May 14, 2024.

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