.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} Exterior construction of a building at 1514 E. Grand Ave. is near completion. By the end of this year, five tenants could move into commercial bays located next to an open-air plaza and freshly paved parking lot.

At this midpoint in the Neighborhood Development Corp.’s redevelopment of an East Grand corridor that runs between East 15th and East 16th streets, a community center is starting to take shape.

“I think when people drive by, they will see there’s something exciting happening there,” said Karen Quance Jeske, NDC’s executive director.

“I think the development is serving to reinforce this neighborhood as a cultural center for (the Latino) population,” added Patrick Alvord, an intern architect with Jeffrey Morgan Architecture Studio, which is designing the project. “I’ve had conversations with minority businesses looking to relocate to this area because their clientele recognizes it as a destination.”

In phase one, NDC completed an exterior face lift of Los Laureles restaurant, renovated a two-story 7,920-square-foot building along Grand into two commercial bays on the first floor and four apartments on the second and constructed 1534 E. Grand, a one-story commercial building for four businesses. It also began construction of a parking lot that will run behind all the buildings from 1514 E. Grand to East 16th Street.

Phase two of the project includes construction of a 4,300-square-foot building at 1514 E. Grand and of a colorful plaza that will connect the new building with Los Laureles, and the completion of the parking lot. By the end of this year, NDC also expects to finish exterior renovations of La Tienda Mexicana, a grocery store next to 1514 E. Grand, replacing the sign and adding a mural on the building’s west wall.

“The second phase will really start to set the tone for some of the exterior spaces and landscape in that area,” Jeske said.

With a plaza, the block could become a location for Latino events. Some business leaders have already discussed holding a Latino farmers market there, and Alianza Latino Business Association plans to continue to hold its annual job fair in the district, which it has hosted in front of the building at 1542 E. Grand for the past two years. The plaza is designed to accommodate outdoor events with lights and an outdoor power supply.

Of the 11 businesses currently open or planning to open in the commercial spaces available, six are operated by first-time business owners. All are Latinos except for a white chiropractor, who is learning Spanish and marketing to the Latino community, and an Asian-American, who is opening an Asian restaurant.

NDC has a waiting list of 16 businesses interested in the five bays available at 1514 E. Grand. Two are already reserved for La Estrallita, a fashion store, and Order Express, which will move from 1552 E. Grand to allow NDC to renovate that building. Shelley Watkins, associate director of NDC, said a national company is interested in opening a satellite office in one of the bays, and a state office has expressed interest in relocating there.

NDC is still designing the final phase of the project, which will involve renovating the building at 1552 E. Grand into two commercial bays on the first floor and four apartments above, and constructing a mixed-use or single-story commercial building directly to its west.

The designs of all the buildings on the block are inspired by styles Jeffrey Morgan architects found on trips to Costa Rica and the American Southwest. They also worked with two Latin American architects. Features include smaller windows and bright colors.

“What we already have is a vibrant culture,” said intern architect Matt Coen, “so we’re doing everything we can to enhance that and give it a place for that all to happen.”

Jeffrey Morgan Architecture has also focused on making construction economical by developing foundation and roof structures that can be used on all NDC’s buildings. This includes same-sized commercial bays and column spacing. The developers can then add unique features to the basic shell of each building.

“You can use it over and over again so the economy is really in the time savings for the architect and developer to design the building,” Alvord said. “Thus you can put some additional money into developing the aesthetic.”

However, the East Grand project has had its challenges, forcing NDC to spend more than expected. La Tienda Mexicana needs a new roof and the 1552 E. Grand Building needs foundation repair due to water damage and work to its staircase and second floor.

Storm water management has also been an issue, because the block does not have access to city systems. Jeffrey Morgan Architecture has worked with the city’s engineering department to develop a plan that would handle most of the runoff in the area.

So far, NDC has invested $2 million in phases one and two.

This investment has spurred nearby redevelopment as well. Lathrop’s Carpet Clean, the only building on the block NDC was unable to purchase, has undergone an exterior renovation. Jeske also said some for-profit developers are considering purchasing properties that are for sale on the south side of East Grand.

NDC does not plan to purchase any more property in the area at this time. Jeske said, “We will be finishing out what we’ve committed to already.”