Visions for Vacancies: 718 Sophia Street
The owner has considered townhouses for the property.
The 9,074-square-foot barn at 718 Sophia St. in downtown Fredericksburg was the original location for the Courtyard Marriott, said property owner Tommy Mitchell. But the successful hotel's final destination became Caroline Street, leaving this .21-acre piece of property on Sophia Street open for redevelopment.
"I would like to do some really nice townhouses there on that piece when the market really gets rolling and it looks like its got some power," Mitchell said.
One challenge for the property is that it is in the floodplain. Zoning rules are more relaxed for commercial construction in a floodplain, and Mitchell said it is possible to do some retail on the first level and build residential above the commercial. The property can hold nine townhouses under current zoning with two parking spots per townhouse.
"With parking underneath the townhouses, I think that will be more conducive to that property," he said. "However, we want to keep an open mind."
What would your ideas be for this piece of property? Let us know in the comments.
Jesse Clear
11:42 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Renovate the Barn and relocate Liberty Town there.. The Barn always was a natural art/crafts center... and it stands much more on the tourist track than is current Liberty Town -- a local treasure, seldom a tourist destination.
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Townhouses?!?!? Ugh ... that notion reveals the "soul" of a developer. The city's Powers-that-Beshould think out of their Developers Box for once and consider a joint project such as this ... to really kick-start one of the "Burgs many hidden Virtues.
Aunt Fanny
10:36 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
Ha ha...you said "soul" as if this guy has one that hasnt already been sold...just sayin'...but you are absolutely correct about Liberty Town. What a great act of TRUE altruisim it would be to have this property donated to the artists. But dont hold your breath...there is nothing TRUE about such an act in this case.
John smith
10:11 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Oh great! More rentals. That's what this town needs more of. Come on.
BRoy
11:17 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
No one in their right mind will pay money for townhomes downtown with the homeless population exploding, more than ever. Businesses are closing because the homeless are running off the customers, people can't walk the streets without being hasseled. The homeless feel like they own this town, free everthing for the homeless, free meals, free bags of food, free clothes, free showers, free legal, free social club, free parking.
The new Fredericksburg slogan should be
> Bring us your drug addicts,
Bring us your alcoholics,
Bring us your felons and child molesters, they are all welcome.
All the good people in town will bow down to serve you for YEARS to come.
You will never have to work. The town belongs to you.
You will never have to spend a dime.
Free camping supplies.
You will be safe from police, you are exempt from the laws.
Save your money for alcohol, drugs and cell phones.
Gather in large groups, laugh and be carefree.
> The town is yours.
Just look at the properties that can't be sold. I feel sorry for the people who have worked for years to promote business and development in this town.. people have invested and worked hard to build this town...the town is being trashed daily. Good people are moving out, families are moving out. No one in their right mind will buy a townhouse downtown.