Friday, January 16, 2009

Economy slows Main Street resurrection

Former Roddy's property owner Kirk looks for slack from city


By JON DUVAL
Express Staff Writer

It will likely be a while before two of the most prominent lots on Ketchum's Main Street are restored from the state of vacancy created by September's fire.

George Kirk, co-owner of the lot that housed Dirty Little Roddy's, said a difficult situation has only been made harder by the marked decline in the economy that has taken place since the blaze destroyed Kirk's building and the neighboring Whiskey Jacques'.

"Getting a commitment from a tenant is very tough right now, but this is really a prerequisite for getting the necessary financing to rebuild," Kirk said

Kirk said he and co-owner Robert Kantor are also awaiting final word on their insurance claim.

Because of these delays, Kirk said he's proposing that the city change its rules governing the rebuilding of "grandfathered" structures, or those that no longer conform to Ketchum's current zoning requirements due to the date they were originally built.

Under the existing language of the code, Kirk would have a mere six months from the time of the fire to commence reconstruction and another six months for completion to fall under the "grandfathered" exemption. That means he would have to start breaking ground on a new building by March 15, a deadline he calls impossible. Instead, he is asking to have two years to obtain a building permit, a similar allowance recently granted to Ketchum developer Jack Bariteau for his Hotel Ketchum.

"We're at a critical juncture from a community perspective, so we don't want to just slap something up that's unrentable," Kirk said. "I don't see how being in such a hurry would be in anyone's best interest."

Ketchum City Planner Sid Rivers said the Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to deliberate on the revision at a Feb. 2 meeting. Rivers said it's a "reasonable proposal," and that the current rules have become obsolete in today's economy.

Kirk said the two largest hurdles for reconstruction created by the existing zoning are the requirement to provide affordable workforce housing and on-site parking. Rivers said any additional square footage above the approximately 5,600 square feet previously built could require some parking and affordable housing.

Kirk said some preliminary plans have been drawn up for a new building, but that it's still too early to make detailed designs public.

"I still believe food, drink and/or entertainment is the best use for that property," Kirk said. "We would like a ground floor that doesn't take up the entire lot and build no higher than two stories."

Kirk said that if on-site parking and affordable housing are required, the size of the lot and economic conditions would result in the need for a third floor.

"We're aiming for less bulk, but that will have to come as a trade-off with parking and housing," he said.

Kirk said that in a "perfect world" he would be able to find a tenant for his building in the next six to 12 months, which would facilitate procuring the necessary financing, and begin construction by spring 2010. He said that while breaking ground even earlier is conceivable, it's highly unlikely, given the difficulties in lending markets and the abundant inventory of existing commercial space in Ketchum.

Kristen Derrig, former bar manager of Whiskey Jacques' and a friend of owner Karen Martin, said the difficulty in obtaining financing could prove problematic for rebuilding the live music and drinking establishment as well.

Martin has been working with Ketchum architect Mark Klingerman to come up with a redesigned building, including a second floor with a deck facing Main Street. Klingerman presented a preliminary design to the Planning and Zoning Commission in October and is scheduled to return with an updated plan in either late February or early March.

Derrig, a member of the group that purchased the Cellar Pub, said she is constantly receiving inquiries and support regarding the reopening of Whisky Jacques'. Ketchum real estate agent John Sofro, who works with Kirk, said these kinds of establishments are much needed in town and need all the support possible.

"We're in a kind of Catch-22," Sofro said. "If we had more restaurants, shops and bars, we would attract more people here. But without the people, it's hard to attract the restaurants, shops and bars."




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