DeKalb Times

Fisk DeKalb LLC wants to breath new life into a historic building in DeKalb while creating new housing, and members of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission were recently briefed on the plans. 

The commission held a public hearing on the proposed housing development during a Nov. 21 meeting. 

"Multifamily apartments would fit in with the neighborhood," John Saucer, a representative for Fisk DeKalb LLC, said during the meeting. "And redeveloping this as opposed to tearing it down would also make use out of a really great historical building in our town. And you just don't really get buildings, new buildings, like this that have character. So hopefully we can save this one and make something nice that fits in well with the neighborhood and the town."

The proposed project is located at 145 Fisk Ave. and will transform the currently vacant building into a residential complex. In order for the project to proceed, the property does need to be rezoned.

Saucer gave the commission an overview of the project. The building used to be a hospital and dormitory. Saucer noted that it is still in good shape and can be reused, so developers hope to turn the parcel into multifamily apartments. There would be nine two-bedroom units and 23 one-bedroom units. 

The City has had several different organizations attempt to develop or use the land, but nothing has worked out in the past. The commission has been looking at and discussing the project for a couple of months, giving a few opinions for changes and getting overall positive feedback from neighbors and community members. A few public comments were made, all in support of the project, and the planning commission voted to give it their approval.