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We\u2019re trying to be creative. We\u2019re seeing some activity for self-storage in other communities\u2019 downtowns.\u201d – Jeff Raykes, the city\u2019s planning director<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Greensburg is looking to add self-storage facilities as an allowable use in the city\u2019s business zoning district, to increase options for redeveloping dormant downtown properties.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Council will consider making that change at its July meeting.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Council also is moving forward with plans to enhance the city\u2019s appearance \u2014 through the demolition of a fire-damaged house on Stanton Street and installation of a new community welcome sign on South Main Street.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Jeff Raykes, the city\u2019s planning director, said the proposed expansion of self-storage zoning is a proactive step.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
While no one has applied to place such a facility amid more traditional businesses in Greensburg, Raykes said, \u201cWe\u2019re trying to be creative. We\u2019re seeing some activity for self-storage in other communities\u2019 downtowns.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
He pointed to the portion of the former Troutman\u2019s department store that faces Pennsylvania Avenue as a building that might be suited for a storage business. <\/span><\/span><\/span>He noted the building has no windows on the upper stories facing the street and remains unused.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In such a state, Raykes said, \u201cOver time, those types of large buildings will degrade. <\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s just been sitting there for years. We\u2019ve been trying to find a tenant. We\u2019ve been doing everything possible to position that property for development. Expanding the zoning in terms of allowable uses is one of the ways we can do that.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Currently, self-storage is indicated as an allowable use only in Greensburg\u2019s industrial district, which includes outlying areas and some properties bordering the Five Star Trail.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The former Troutman\u2019s building is among seven downtown properties in need of redevelopment that will be reviewed by a national team of real estate experts scheduled to visit Greensburg in July. The vacant lot on South Main, where the deteriorated Advance Furniture building recently was razed, will be among the other sites included in the review.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The team will issue a report on its findings that will serve as a prelude to bringing aboard a consultant to draft a downtown master plan. That planning process is being led by the Greensburg Community Development Corp. It recently kicked off with an initial meeting of a project steering committee.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n