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The long wait appears to be nearing an end — the tarp is coming down.

Demolition of Uptown Oxford's former Wendy's and construction of a new three-story mixed-use building was approved by the Historic & Architectural Preservation Commission during its May 7 meeting.

City Planner Kathy Dale said the project will have an additional review at a May 21 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, as the proposed building encroaches upon the 16.5-foot vacated right-of-way along Main Street.

"They want to come out a little bit further than where they are now," Dale said. "The idea is to line up with the parking garage, but that needs to go to BZA for approval first."

Dale said a preliminary time line put the construction of the new building somewhere around September or October, with plans to demolish the current structure sometime this summer.

HAPC approval included a condition that said if construction does not commence within 30 days of demolition of the structure, the site will be properly filled in and covered with seed and sod.

The applicants will construct a significantly larger building than what presently occupies the property, housing commercial space on the ground floor and splitting 10 residential units between the second and third floors.

Dale said the new building will have commercial entrances facing both street frontages and will be flush with Qdoba, eliminating the narrow passageway that currently exists between the two buildings.

The former Wendy's property has been vacant since August 2005, when a fire left the building in its present condition.

While the project will likely not come before either Planning Commission or City Council for further review, Dale said the applicant will still have to submit final blueprints for the building prior to beginning construction.

City Law Director Steve McHugh said the proposal will not affect pending litigation between the city and the property owners, Main & High Development, LLC.

"Certainly, from the city's perspective, it will be an issue with respect to any claims they might make and we'll have to factor that in," McHugh said. "The litigation is still set for trial later this year and will continue that way."

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139, ext. 86102, or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.

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