The owners of a private pocket park in downtown Lawrence are preparing to cash in on the business district's growing popularity among retailers.
Dale Miller and his father, Edd Miller, both of Lawrence, plan to build a new retail-office building at 705-709 Mass., currently an open lot south of the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Mass.
The building would have 6,000 square feet of space at street level, intended for lease for up to two national or regional companies, said Greg Cromer, who is marketing the property. Upper floors would be reserved for professional offices.
The building would be at least three stories tall, its brick exterior highlighted by cast-stone window arches and sills.
"It'll be a brand-new building, which puts it ahead of anything else that's down there," said Cromer, of American Real Estate & Investment Inc. "We're pretty optimistic, because Seventh and Massachusetts is a pretty popular corner."
In the 600 block of Massachusetts Street, Tim Fritzel has led developments that have drawn Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, Eddie Bauer and American Eagle Outfitters. Talbots opened in January around the corner.
Dale Miller regards the neighboring stores as drawing cards.
"National firms like to be close to each other," he said. "Based on that, I'd like to think my location is as desirable if not more desirable than other alternatives downtown."
Dale Miller said he hoped the building could be ready for new stores by Thanksgiving 2002.
The project awaits review March 15 by the city's Historic Resources Commission. The review is required because of the project's proximity to the Eldridge, a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.
A similar project is planned nearby. Bob Schumm, a downtown restaurateur, wants to tear down the former Alley Cat Records store, 717 Mass., and replace it with a retail-office building.
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