Solon continues dramatic downtown changes with developments, public survey

SOLON - There was a time in recent history that Sam Lensing remembers downtown Solon with some empty spaces and closed buildings.

But since Lensing took over Sam's Main Street Market in 2005, he said there's been some 'nip and tuck” to the Main Street area in the Johnson County town of roughly 2,500 people.

He said the town now has a few more stop signs and restaurants, among other things. As the town has gained attractions, Lensing said, parking has become more of a 'debacle,” but overall, he believes the changes he's seen are positive.

'It's kind of interesting to watch things change,” Lensing said. 'I think it's going at a nice pace.”

While a few current projects are in the works, the focus on improving downtown Solon ramped up in 2012 when the city began its Main Street streetscape project, said Cami Rasmussen, Solon's city administrator, noting a local-option sales tax helped fund streetscape improvements after the 2008 flood.

'About that same time, we had some restaurants and some businesses interested in coming to Solon. One of them was Big Grove Brewery, which has been a wonderful contribution to Solon's Main Street,” she said, adding the restaurant, located at 101 W. Main St., has brought a 'great dynamic” to downtown.

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS

More recently, Solon officials have chosen to allow sidewalk cafes along Main Street. The first permit was granted to Red Vespa, a pizzeria located at 208 E. Main St. and its cafe platform is under construction, Rasmussen said.

'There's just a lot of activity on Solon Main Street and it's really an amazing place to be,” Rasmussen said.

Also under construction is a major development downtown - the $3 million, mixed use 121 on Main building that is to feature 10,500 square feet of commercial space and eight condominiums.

'I've had an office on Main Street for a long time and we get a number of requests for commercial space in Solon and there hasn't been any available,” said Mark Pattison, owner and CEO of North Corridor Property Investments and developer for 121 on Main.

Pattison said potential tenants of the building include a real estate firm, a financial adviser and a retail store, among other possibilities.

'We want the right things to go in there. You know, that'll be in there long term,” he said.

Pattison said he's seen a lot of interest in his downtown space that features two- and three-bedroom condos, two of which already have been sold. The prices of the units range from $240,000 to $300,000.

Also in the works is an 'adaptive reuse” development by Iowa City-based Prairie Equity Group LLC, which plans to convert the vacant St. Mary's Auditorium, located at the corner of Dubuque and Short streets one block south of Main Street, into 17 condos on the second and third floors, Rasmussen said.

The main level of the 1915 building would be commercial space, according to information provided to the city by the developer, Rasmussen said.

The latest site plan for the project was approved last month and the next steps are to get a developer's agreement and then apply for a building permit, she said.

The Gazette was unable to reach Prairie Equity Group officials for comment.

VISIONING SURVEY

As development continues, city officials also are turning to residents for feedback.

Solon's recent 20-year comprehensive plan, Rasmussen said, called for 'a concentrated look” at Main Street. To work toward that goal, residents have been asked to take part in a Solon Downtown Visioning Survey. The survey aims to help city staff come up with 'a good vision of growth and the type of businesses and the kind of environment and atmosphere we want for Solon Main Street.”

The public has until Friday to take the survey, which can be found on the city's website at solon-iowa.com under the 'Solon News” section.

With the results, consulting firm MSA Professional Services Inc., which operates an office in Hiawatha, will present the city with an overview of the information later this summer. The contract for the survey work is worth $7,350.

Rasmussen said the survey also provides an opportunity to gather feedback on whether there are pedestrian amenities or other basic needs and interests that can be enhanced.

l Comments: (319) 339-3172; maddy.arnold@thegazette.com