First things first: Don’t worry, Al’s will continue to operate throughout construction. Now onto the news.
A $2.7 million construction loan will be used to renovate the vacant space of the South Clinton Street building that houses Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge in Armory Square. The Community Preservation Corporation recently announced it would gut and rehabilitate the historic five-story building at 315-319 S. Clinton St., creating 12 new two-bedroom residential units that would lease for $1,000 to $1,700 a month. The now vacant retail space on the ground floor will also be renovated and remain commercial retail. The project is in the hands of Robb Bidwell and Doug Balle, the team responsible for converting unused space into 15 loft-style apartments at 121-129 W. Fayette St., just a block north of the new project location. That project was also funded through the CPC. In addition to the CPC loan, the Bidwell and Balle received a $600,000 Restore New York grant and $150,000 in construction financing from the city of Syracuse to renovate the property.