Loft and townhouse-style apartments are going up across the street from Yorks Sovereign Bank Stadium, home of the citys new professional baseball team, the York Revolution.
Loft and townhouse-style apartments are going up across the street from Yorks Sovereign Bank Stadium, home of the citys new professional baseball team, the York Revolution.
The developer, Codo 241, is redeveloping the former York Auto Parts building at 241 N. George St.
Codo 241 is a secretive new firm. A representative wouldnt reveal the firms ownership or where its based. The developers spokesman, Bill Swartz, president of York-based Sherman Property Management Inc., would not identify the investor. Nor would Frank Dittenhafer, whose architectural firm is involved with the project.
According to a press release from Gov. Ed Rendells office, the project is being supported through a state Building PA matching grant awarded to the York County
Economic Development Corp., which in turn donated $843,360 to the $8.3 million project.
The former York Auto Parts building will be transformed into a mixed-use facility consisting of two commercial-office suites on the first floor and 18 loft apartments on the top floors, according to the governors office.
A new, 18,000-square-foot building also will go up on the site. This building will contain 18 townhouse-style apartments. Plans are not yet on file with the city, and Swartz would not comment further.
York has experienced a wave of residential development. Three years ago, York-based Susquehanna Real Estate broke ground on a similar project called The Lofts on George Street. All 19 loft-style condos were sold.
And ground will soon be broken on the Northwest Triangle, a development of between 100 and 120 townhouses, Mayor John Brenner said.
The Northwest Triangle is the next major piece to fall into place, and this (Codo) helps us keep momentum, Brenner said. Our vision for York is to create a thriving urban community. And you cannot redevelop the city unless you have quality places to live.
Brenner likes the Codo 241 projects proximity to Yorks redevelopment area. It will be across the street from Sovereign Bank Stadium, it will be within walking distance of restaurants and other amenities, and it will provide more market-price housing options downtown, he said.
Providing options to people helps bolster an interest in urban living, said Matthew Jackson, York director of economic development and the citys redevelopment authority coordinator.
The first phase of redevelopment is bringing back entertainment and nightlife, Jackson said. The second phase is providing a smorgasbord of housing options. We are in the beginning of the second phase.
The third phase involves growing the citys retail sector, Jackson said. More residents living downtown equal more visitors to restaurants, markets and theaters.
We need market-rate housing options. A lot of young people and empty nesters dont mind renting, Jackson said.
Codo 241 placed a cryptic billboard on the site asking: What is Codo? The groups Web site, www.whatiscodo.com, is also listed on the advertisement. The site also offers few details. Project promoters are handing out T-shirts and promotional items that ask the same question.
There are multiple investors. And all I can tell you is that this is one step in a project we are very excited about, Swartz said. Development work will be ongoing throughout the summer.
More details and renderings of the buildings will be available when Codo 241 formally announces the project Sept. 13, Swartz said.
