More than six years after unveiling plans for the Lancaster Press Building, developer Ed Drogaris' investor group is now poised to quickly move forward.

A redesigned model unit is due to open before the end of the month. Altered plans will soon be completed and construction on the downtown Lancaster project is expected to begin this year, Drogaris said Monday.

The changes follow Garden Spot Village's decision in September to back away from plans for an urban retirement community in the six-story building.

Drogaris told Lancaster City Council members the 50 units planned for the building now will include a mix of rental apartments and condominiums which will be offered for sale.

Unchanged is the total cost of the project, expected to be between $16 million and $17 million, he said.

The building is being designed to appeal to a wider range of prospective tenants and buyers than the over-age-55 group which Garden Spot Village had sought.

"A lot of people looked at it and said 'this is the next place I want to live,' not 'this is the last place I want to live,'" Drogaris said of the more than 400 who expressed interest in the units while they were being marketed by the New Holland retirement community.

Drogaris, president and chief operating officer of the Drogaris Companies, said sales efforts will start with that list of 400 contacts. Yet, he added, his company gets calls of interest almost daily.

There is a demand for upscale city rentals, he told council members. His other properties have nearly 100 percent occupancy and waiting lists, he said.

The Lancaster Press Building will have exposed brick walls, wooden beams and upscale appliances, as do other former industrial buildings Drogaris has renovated.

Apartments, likely smaller units on the lower three floors, will rent for $1,000-$2,400 monthly. The condos will be offered from the low $200,000 range to more than $500,000, he said.

Drogaris appeared at council's economic development  and revitalization committee meeting to address any questions on a restated development agreement on the project. The building, which has been vacant for about 15 years, is owned by the city.

Council members are expected to vote on the agreement at their public meeting this evening. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in Southern Market Center, 100 S. Queen St.

As part of the project, the city Redevelopment Authority will build a $10.5 million parking garage adjacent to the press building.

A secured pedestrian walkway will connect the building to the new garage. The 68 spaces on the ground floor of the 265-space garage will be reserved for press building residents.

Construction of the garage, which also will serve businesses in the surrounding blocks, is expected to begin in April, said Randy Patterson, city Economic Development & Neighborhood Revitalization director.

Construction in the press building is expected to begin before the end of this year. Occupancy is expected before the end of 2014, Drogaris said.
bharris@lnpnews.com