MIDTOWN MAKEOVER?
Pending sale, developer plans to convert old garage into eateries, retail
A longtime eyesore in Midtown may soon be redeveloped and turned into a mix of restaurants and retail pending a sale to Northline Development.
The former service station, garage and car dealership at 308 NW 10 consists of three adjoining buildings, the oldest of which was built in 1923. Tenants included a Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership from 1932 to 1942, and in later years a tire shop.
The property has been empty and abandoned for the past two decades, and the owner, Ahmad Bahrereini, was cited more than a half-dozen times for leaving inoperable vehicles in the property’s front lot.
Kayla Baker, managing partner of Northline Development, said she expects to close on a purchase contract with Bahrereini within the next two months.
“We did environmental inspections and the reports came back not as bad as we expected,” Baker said. “But we do have
some clean up to do due to the work that was done here.”
Baker said she hopes renovations can start soon after the purchase is completed and plans are approved by the Downtown Design Review Committee. One letter of intent has been signed with a successful local restaurant operator.
A look past clutter
Baker admits the property currently isn’t much to look at. But inside the building filled with old transmissions, cars and vending machines, Baker looks past the clutter and sees a great old building.
“I see the windows, I see the brick walls, I see the barrel roof and skylights,” Baker said. “We plan on replacing all the windows, rebuilding the roof, and we will sandblast the paint off the brick and see what is under there. If it’s in good shape, we want to keep it; if not, we will repaint it with a light color.”
The property has no parking, but Baker is betting on increased pedestrian traffic to make the redevelopment a success.
“I don’t see people driving in and leaving,” Baker said. “I see people driving to Fassler Hall, going to Bleu Garten, and visiting Midtown’s shops and restaurants.”
Northline is no stranger to Midtown, having built a half-dozen new, contemporary homes in the area of NW 7 and Shartel. The company’s next project is construction of 14 townhomes along NW 6 just east of Classen Boulevard.
“This is Northline’s first venture into commercial,” Baker said. “We see the potential of the location, and we want to renovate it into what we believe it can be. It’s on a great corner with Fassler Hall, Bleu Garten and all the housing around it.”