City approves marketplace development on Spring Street
City council heard testimony on the new project.
–At their most recent meeting, the Paso Robles City Council unanimously approved plans for the “Paso Market Place,” a 15,669-square-foot development between 18th and 19th on Spring Street, at the site of the former Hometown Nursery. The plan includes a restaurant to be built in the old house on the property. Retail stores and residential units will also go on the property, but the old oak trees will be preserved.
Although a few people shared concerns about parking issues and noise from trash trucks early in the morning, most of those who spoke told the council they were thrilled someone is finally improving that vacant lot.
Debbie Longo is the developer. She says pleased the city council approved the project. She hopes to build it within two years.
The new project proposes to rehabilitate deteriorated exterior of the historic building in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and to re-purpose the building as a restaurant. A breezeway is proposed to connect this structure on the west side of the building to a separate kitchen building designed to complement the historic theme and integrity of the historic building.
The new buildings will integrate a rural, agrarian design to complement the existing historic farmhouse. Agrarian themes are consistent with the architectural type of then. An architectural drawing of the project identifies the buildings and their proposed uses as follows:
- A-The renovated Van Wormer house as a restaurant and kitchen
- B-Retail space and residences
- C-Retail space
- D-Market
- E-Distillery and residences
