New townhome development coming to Frog Level in downtown Waynesville | News
The demand for trendy, pedestrian-friendly city living is manifesting itself in a 14-unit townhouse just blocks from Main Street in downtown Waynesville.
The townhouses will be on 1.5 acres of undeveloped land on Frog Level across from the railroad tracks on Richland Street (at the foot of Church Street). The units retail at around $ 495,000. The price reflects the lack of living space in general as well as a desirable location within walking distance of the city center.
“Our inventory is way down. We just have nothing to sell. Plus, its proximity to Main Street is a huge draw, ”said Dan Womack, the designated real estate agent for the townhouses and brokers at ReMAX Executives.
The three-bedroom townhouses called Richland Estates will be three-story, with a garage on the first floor and two levels of living, including a balcony. Womack is betting they’ll appeal to both retirees and younger, hip sets from Asheville – where a similar townhouse would cost over $ 750,000, he said. He also wouldn’t be surprised if some were bought to be used as AirBNBs.
The project went through the Waynesville Planning Committee approval process earlier this month after all land use requirements, including architectural building design, were met.
The project is an example of backfill development in line with the city’s smart growth goals and in line with the mixed-use features of the surrounding neighborhood, according to Waynesville planner Olga Grooman, who led the compliance analysis of the project take over.
“It offers a variety of housing stock options. It’s a walkable, inner-city neighborhood that separates two business districts, “said Grooman, noting the proximity to the library, downtown, and Frog Level, Waynesville Middle School, and older established neighborhoods.
Construction work on the wing began within days of the approval.
“The developer did their homework ahead of time and put them in the right position,” said Womack. “You don’t want to miss this window because neither of us knows how long it will take.”
New use
Despite the apparently ideal location, the wing is empty for a long time. The shabby industrial warehouse district around him had succumbed to decay over the decades and became a frequent meeting place for squatters and homeless camps. But that has changed.
“Frog Level is known to be a depressing area. Now it’s on the up, ”said Womack.
The former owner, Ron Muse, who sat on the vacant property for over 30 years before it was finally sold earlier this year.
“It wasn’t worth the upkeep,” said Muse. “People kept throwing trash on it because it was a hidden place where everyone was grown up. Then the city would come to me because of the rubbish and weeds. “
Muse had clashed with the city over the years trying to repurpose the property for mini storage or a garage. However, the city considered these uses to be incompatible with the adjacent residential area, so that it was empty.
When Muse sold the property, he did not know the buyer wanted to build townhouses, but believes that this is a good use for the property.
“I wish him all the best. Good luck to him, ”said Muse.