Slated for one-half block on the west side of Eighth Ave South,between South Lane and South Dearborn streets, the project is toinclude 57 apartments above 7,360 sf of retail, a 4,350-sf publiclibrary, a 15,900-sf community center and below-ground parking for73 vehicles. The City this week determined an environmental impactstatement will not be required for the project.

The property is in the International District Mixed (IDM) zoneand has an 85-foot limit because at least 50% of the gross floorarea will comprise residential units. It sits across the streetfrom International District Village Square I, a $19-million projectthat opened in 1998 and includes retail space, 75 studio apartmentsand four health and human service agencies. The project designer isKen Kubota of Kubota/Kato/Chinn Architects.

Other recent signs of improvement in the area include a $12million to $15 million redevelopment and expansion of the Uwajimayastore on Sixth Avenue South and Union Station's redevelopment intooffice space.