Another downtown Parkville building is about to get a face lift using a special redevelopment program.
The Parkville redevelopment plan was approved in late 2019, naming areas of downtown as economically blighted and allowing businesses to take advantage of state economic development incentives such as tax abatements.
The board of aldermen approved the addition of 112 Main Street to the downtown redevelopment plan at the meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 5. The building currently is home to Hair’s to You Salon and Cafe des Amis French restaurant. Cafe des Amis owners Ingrid and Guillaume Hanriot propose rehabilitating and expanding the existing building on the property, specifically constructing a 936 square foot enclosed dining room addition on the second floor, at the west end of the building. Paving and striping of the gravel lot behind the building is also proposed, as well as general tuck pointing, millwork, painting and other exterior rehabilitation work.
The total estimated applicable improvement cost is $240,000. The project qualifies for market stimulating incentives of 90% property tax abatement for up to 12 years.
Guillaume Hanriot told the board that while he wished the improvements would be done this winter, he knows it will take longer than a few weeks. The restaurant will remain open during the work, however.
Alderman Greg Plumb said before the unanimous vote to approve the addition that the establishment of the redevelopment district was controversial at the time, but has proved to be a great benefit for downtown businesses. This will be the sixth project to take advantage of tax incentives through the program.
Alderman Phil Wassmer also spoke at the meeting about the city’s parks tax, calling for a discussion on the allocation of funds. He suggests the city needs to hire a park director to oversee the projects currently planned and under way.
Plumb said he’s heard complaints that the parks are not properly maintained and said the city needs to know the specific complaints involved. Mowing grass has been a problem this year, which city officials say was due to staffing problems.
The topic expanded into a larger discussion on city-wide staffing problems and the possible need for a pay analysis to see if Parkville is offering competitive wages to prospective employees.