Developer Keena Oden and her partner Jarrod Rogers of CJR Law recently purchased the house at 614 NW 8th, just south of Saint Anthony Hospital. It is believed to be the oldest existing structure in the neighborhood known as SoSA.
Plans filed with the city show a design by Ken Fitzsimmons of TASK Design which would convert the structure to feature two furnished upstairs apartments, and a meeting room and boutique space on the ground floor.
Although much of the original exterior will be restored, there will be some new space added as well as parking on the rear alley.
The apartments are to be furnished and the meeting space would feature artwork in a gallery setting.
Oden hopes to find a nice boutique or gift shop to take the other downstairs space.
Some original 'gingerbread' elements have already been revealed through careful removal of non-original siding.
The plans will be reviewed by the Urban Design Commission on July 26th. The city's Planning Department has recommended the commission approve the application.
If approved, Oden would invite artist to submit works to the gallery on the theme “What is home?”. Fresh start students from the Homeless Alliance would be especially encouraged to participate. All ticket sale proceeds would benefit the Homeless Alliance and artists would receive 100% of the sale.