The developer eyeing the former Lancaster YMCA property in Lancaster city disclosed Tuesday it s willing to downsize its ambitious proposal in order to preserve one historic building on the site.Â
But time will tell whether the Hankin Group is willing to trim its plan further to retain an additional historic structure there, enabling it to win an endorsement from the city Historical Commission. The decision could hinge on how persuasive Hankin believes that support would be when Hankin eventually goes to City Council for final approval.Â
Reducing the project even more âwould be a choiceâ for Hankin when it returns to the commission in the coming months for an advisory vote on its proposal, said commission chair Christopher Peters, following an hour-long discussion of the projectâs historic impact at the commission s monthly meeting.
A plan for a 20-story downtown apartment building, proposed by Willow Valley Communities, cleared two municipal hurdles with ease on Tuesday.Â
By a pair of 6-0 votes, the city Historical Commission recommended that City Council approve the demolition of two empty buildings on the site, formerly used by LNP Media Group, and the construction there of the countyâs tallest building.Â
The 147-unit high-rise at South Queen and West Vine streets, opposite Southern Market Center and the Lancaster County Convention Center, would cost more than $90 million, have about 260 residents and create 100 to 125 jobs.Â
âI want to compliment them on the elegance of the design,â said commission member Elizabeth De Santo.Â