Members of the Rochester-Avon Historical Society had urgeddeveloper Trident Properties to keep and somehow re-use theshuttered 1870s mill on the site. Instead, bricks from the buildingwill be used to create a roughly half-acre historical plazaincluding a replica of one of its walls and chimney.

The historical plaza is designed to commemorate the site'simportance to local history and will also include photos andplaques. The mill will be demolished sometime this winter, andconstruction on the three-bedroom, stacked condos in four-storybuildings will begin in the spring. Tom Turnbull, vice president ofTrident Properties, says he hopes to have them ready for residentsin a year from now.

Many people have already shown an interest in living there, hesays. Turnbull and city officials say the development will drawshoppers and diners to Downtown.