Grant Kyle wants to see in Auburn the kind of place he would like to live. And he is trying to do something about it.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
The old C. W. Brister and Sons Flour Mill, between North Street and the railroad tracks on the northern end of Auburn, is the site chosen by young designer and architect Grant Kyle for development.
The old C. W. Brister and Sons Flour Mill, between North Street and the railroad tracks on the northern end of Auburn, is the site chosen by young designer and architect Grant Kyle for development.
Kyle, 23, is a young, professional Auburn native with a background in design and architecture. He's currently heading a project on the north end of town that could convert an abandoned mill into a three-acre development that includes residential, commercial and tourism-based aspects.
Currently, work is underway on the project's first component - rehabilitate the building that once housed the C.W. Brister and Sons flour mill, and turn it into loft apartments targeted at people like himself.
“There are not a lot of places for young professionals to live in Auburn,” said Kyle. “If you don't live at home, where are you going to live? ... I think I'm filling a niche in my demographic.”
On top of the residential aspect, the ambitious proposal includes plans to convert former storage silos into a restaurant space and construction of a rail station for the Finger Lakes Scenic Railroad. The development could also eventually include mixed-use store fronts along North Street, according to the proposal.
The flour mill was active from 1900 to 1982, and the railside space has since been abandoned.
Kyle, whose family owns North Brook Farms in Weedsport, took on the project after interning with a Baltimore-based development company. Design and cleanup began in June, though winter weather slowed down work over the last few months
Converting the Brister mill facility makes sense, he said, as it would preserve the city's industrial heritage while creating something new and unique.
“That building will never be built again,” Kyle said about the mill.
“It's more than just a building,” he added. “It's a place where people recognize there is a lot of history.”
Like most major projects, funding is a big factor. Kyle said the developers have began to focus some work on grant writing.
The proposal was also submitted to the city of Auburn for consideration for a Restore New York grant, though a project to build a theater in downtown Auburn was chosen for the program.
Auburn Mayor Michael Quill said Wednesday that he wishes there was enough money for everyone working to improve the city. But the city planning department is trying to work with members of the private sector such as Kyle to try and find grant funds and other help, Quill said.
A project such as this could really turn the neighborhood around, he added.
“We hear so often about how our youth is leaving the area,” Quill said. “Here we have a young man who is willing to try and make this a better place to live, and invest their time and money.”
The Brister mill development was also one of thousands of projects submitted to Gov. David Paterson's office for consideration in the distribution of federal stimulus funds. Kyle said funding will determine when, not whether or not, it will be completed.
“We're going to do it no matter what,” he said.
Currently, work is underway on the project's first component - rehabilitate the building that once housed the C.W. Brister and Sons flour mill, and turn it into loft apartments targeted at people like himself.
“There are not a lot of places for young professionals to live in Auburn,” said Kyle. “If you don't live at home, where are you going to live? ... I think I'm filling a niche in my demographic.”
On top of the residential aspect, the ambitious proposal includes plans to convert former storage silos into a restaurant space and construction of a rail station for the Finger Lakes Scenic Railroad. The development could also eventually include mixed-use store fronts along North Street, according to the proposal.
The flour mill was active from 1900 to 1982, and the railside space has since been abandoned.
Kyle, whose family owns North Brook Farms in Weedsport, took on the project after interning with a Baltimore-based development company. Design and cleanup began in June, though winter weather slowed down work over the last few months
Converting the Brister mill facility makes sense, he said, as it would preserve the city's industrial heritage while creating something new and unique.
“That building will never be built again,” Kyle said about the mill.
“It's more than just a building,” he added. “It's a place where people recognize there is a lot of history.”
Like most major projects, funding is a big factor. Kyle said the developers have began to focus some work on grant writing.
The proposal was also submitted to the city of Auburn for consideration for a Restore New York grant, though a project to build a theater in downtown Auburn was chosen for the program.
Auburn Mayor Michael Quill said Wednesday that he wishes there was enough money for everyone working to improve the city. But the city planning department is trying to work with members of the private sector such as Kyle to try and find grant funds and other help, Quill said.
A project such as this could really turn the neighborhood around, he added.
“We hear so often about how our youth is leaving the area,” Quill said. “Here we have a young man who is willing to try and make this a better place to live, and invest their time and money.”
The Brister mill development was also one of thousands of projects submitted to Gov. David Paterson's office for consideration in the distribution of federal stimulus funds. Kyle said funding will determine when, not whether or not, it will be completed.
“We're going to do it no matter what,” he said.
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 7 comment(s)
brew1234 wrote on Apr 17, 2009 1:11 AM:
cryinryan wrote on Apr 16, 2009 11:05 PM:
dan w wrote on Apr 16, 2009 2:04 PM:
hoopes_dt wrote on Apr 16, 2009 1:58 PM:
This project runs the risk of re-introducing Auburn to some very progressive urban thinking- perhaps more akin to those of the city's glory and founding days. Auburnians once knew that it is not OK to build new cookie-cutter houses and big-box stores in farm-country while our cities decrease in density. Many of our remarkable buildings are vacant because of recent irresponsible development behavior. Developers and Politicians, this is your cue. "
childofthekorn1318 wrote on Apr 16, 2009 11:54 AM:
interesting wrote on Apr 16, 2009 10:36 AM:
PositiveAuburnian wrote on Apr 16, 2009 7:05 AM:
This project will not only help the immediate site, but will be a glowing example of what can and should happen to old industrial buildings that are scattered all around this once thriving area. This is exactly the vision that is needed to end the current stagnation and negative thinking about our city, and instead look progressively toward a robust, revitalized Auburn.
With our great historical landmarks, vision of a revitalized downtown and theater festival, and progressive planning regarding our former industrial sites, Auburn will become an great attraction for not only the Kyle's but so many other young people. "