Board defers decision on 975 2nd Avenue riverfront redevelopment pending materials and clarifications

The Community Parents Board deferred a decision on a major riverfront redevelopment at 975 2nd Avenue after a lengthy review of design changes and site constraints. Staff (Speaker 4) and the applicant described revisions made since an earlier 2024 design approval, including reducing the building footprint, moving the ADA ramp inside the property line and relocating HVAC equipment to the front for serviceability.

Speaker 3, representing the applicant’s design team, described flood-elevation adjustments that raised the first floor and explained structural rework: “the 1st Floor of this building is gonna be about 8 to 9 foot above the river wall,” he said, describing why access and stairs shifted and why the ramp and stairs moved beyond earlier property-line expectations. Staff also said the siding material listed previously as 'hardy board' was updated to the intended wood siding in the materials list provided to the board.

Staff flagged additional constraints that affected the plan, including underground utilities, protected trees, and fire-rating limitations that forced reductions in building depth and door placements. Because those site constraints required multiple concessions and raised several follow-up questions, Speaker 5 moved to defer the item so staff and the applicant could assemble a detailed materials list and answer board queries; Speaker 2 seconded the motion and the board carried the deferral.

What’s next: The board asked staff to collect and circulate a list of outstanding questions and a materials list to the applicant prior to the next meeting. Staff offered to supply a more detailed written explanation of the triggers for the design changes to help the board evaluate the revised plan.