The projects would cost about $8 million and $4.5 million, respectively, he said.

Infinity Companies, the development agency in charge of the redevelopments on Ann Street, is proposing a four-story mixed-use building consisting of commercial businesses and apartments.

The company also would be redoing the Ann Street Plaza as part of the project, and would be reimbursed by the city for the approximately $450,000 cost, Dempsey said.

He said city officials determined the most cost-effective way for the city to implement projects was to develop them all at the same time. They also decided the method would have the least constructional impact on the downtown area.

“There’s so much activity happening in that small area — to coordinate it provides some … financial efficiencies,” Dempsey said.

The eight-story project, on the corner of Albert Avenue and Grove Street, is being developed by David Krause and Douglas Cron of A&G Partnership, LLC and received $3.1 million in Brownfield funding because it was formerly the location of a dry cleaning company that used chemicals.

Cron said space in the building would be made available for businesses ranging from retail to restaurants, and the residential apartments range from one to four bedrooms to accommodate different lifestyles.

He said construction on the Albert Avenue project is expected to be completed by August 2012, and said having both projects happen during the same time frame was easier because of water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

“It makes better sense to do them both at the same time,” Cron said.
Kris Elliott, owner of

Infinity Companies, was unavailable for comment Tuesday.

New buildings downtown with more apartment space would be beneficial for both students looking to live closer to campus and local businesses, history senior Allison Savoy said.

“I really think it’d be better to have students closer to campus,” Savoy said. “If there’s more students closer, more businesses will be able to stay in the area.”

Ashley Herzovi, an international relations junior, said utilizing space and revamping it for new uses was better than having buildings sit empty.

“I really like mixed-use buildings — I think it’s a good use of space,” Herzovi said. “I think it’s cool that they’re starting to use blocks of space that are not being used or haven’t been developed (in a long time).”