Living On The Square

LINCOLN -- Dickson Street in Fayetteville has apartments and condos mixed in with commercial buildings and it's possible that in the future Lincoln square will have places for people to live.

Doug Hutchens, a city alderman and chairman of Lincoln Planning Commission, said property owners and other interested people attended a recent commission meeting to talk about developing residences along the square in empty building space. It was not a formal request, Hutchens said, just people "testing the waters."

The square is zoned business or B-1 which allows residential development.

"If it is done right, I think it would make neat housing," Hutchens said.

A realtor and two individuals approached the Planning Commission. One building with 4,000 square feet west of Lincoln Public Library has sold and Hutchens said he could see where residences could be developed in the building. For example, the bottom floor could be commercial space and condos or studio apartments developed on the second floor.

"The buildings would have to be brought up to code but there is plenty of parking behind the buildings," Hutchens said.

Dianna Payne, Lincoln library director, said residential living along a town square is a new idea to her but she liked it.

"I think it's great," Payne said. "We have a beautiful square and if they can use it, that's great. Why not?"

Mayor Rob Hulse said such a project might "jumpstart" progress around the square.

"There's not a lot of businesses coming to the square," Hulse said, noting it is positive news that someone is investing in property along the square.

From what he has heard, Hulse said he thinks the interested parties are serious about exploring the possibility of bringing residential living to Lincoln square.

Hutchens gave an update on the informal discussion about residential living on the square at the June 16 Lincoln City Council meeting.

In other business in June, it was reported city crews are cleaning out ditches and reclaiming some ditches because of drainage problems.

Improvements at Lincoln Lake include cleaning up weeds and spraying to kill poison ivy along the trails. Gravel is needed in the parking lot to replace sections that were washed away because of rain.

Aldermen mentioned residential yards that are too high and need mowing and other yards that have trash and debris that need to be cleaned up. Other complaints from residents are inoperable cars parked in front yards.

"I've been able to mow my yard," Hulse told City Council members. "I think enough grace period has been given."

Most of the areas that need to be mowed are empty lots, Hutchens added.

The Capital Improvements Committee reported that March distributions from the city's local sales tax revenues were $21,206 for capital improvements, $6,361 for the library and $1,590 for parks and recreation. The capital improvements account has a balance of $180,904.