Leon Steele: Did you know? Part 4
Did you know that two adjoining burned out buildings on Gordon St were recently purchased by a California developer who converted them into 4 nice market-rate apartments, all of which leased immediately? People from out of town are buying our properties, sometimes two at a time. They feel our vibe and sense of community. They like where we are going. They have been paying attention to what we are doing and want to be a part of it. Downtown Kinston is setting an example of progressive recovery from severe decline and many people are paying attention to it.
That recovery has ramped up lately. We not only have opportunities here but also have wonderful people. When people investigate places to which to relocate, retire, or invest, they want to be in a place that has life and value. Similarly to buying a new house and investigating the neighborhood.
New to downtown are the Axe Throwing Company about to open on North Street, and The Office Bar and Nightclub preparing to open on Herritage St. A prime space is available for lease on Herritage next door to The Herritage Tap Room and across the street from Just Add Salt Boutique. A great space that is ready to be built out for someone’s dream is for sale on Gordon St just steps away from our famous Chef and Farmer Restaurant.
Also, The Boiler Room space is available, and the Parrott Hardware Store buildings are for sale with upper story residential development possibilities at the corner of North and Herritage with what could include the tenant luxury of private, off-street parking in the rear. Did you know that historic tax credits are applicable for many of these projects? Oftentimes these tax credits make a project very worthwhile.
Downtown Kinston is becoming hot and happening. Queen Street has some large spaces available such as the beautiful bank building for sale on the corner of Queen and North across from the O’Neal Boutique Hotel that could make a spectacular bridal salon, for example, and there are one or two locations left that are large enough for a Belk or other anchor store to locate to.
Spaces of these sizes are mostly unheard of these days in historic commercial districts. We have another great building on Queen St that would be ideal for an architecture firm and features a large sky-lit stairwell at the reception area, multiple office spaces plus a great office with a full bath overlooking Queen Street and another in the rear overlooking its own private parking lot, PLUS a large indoor garage. These are a just a few buildings and spaces that are actually available downtown for anyone wanting to live their dream.
Growth downtown has only two directions to go; across Queen St eastward, or up Queen St northward. It is moving in both directions, but there seems to be growing interest in the smaller buildings in the east connector streets between Queen and McLewean. Our downtown properties are good investments so long as they are returned to commerce and generating revenues. Empty buildings do nothing for anyone or our community. It is time to fill them up.
