Calling the offer beneficial to both himself and to downtown Herndon, Steve Mitchell, owner of the James Building on Station Street since 1995, has offered to pay for the oft-discussed dumpster enclosure.
"The town and I have had ongoing discussions," said Mitchell, a longtime Herndon resident and former member of the Town Council. "I have agreed to pay for the dumpster enclosure and other businesses will help pay for it."
Mitchell admitted that the enclosure was both good for him and for the downtown area. "It’s resolving a potential issue of trash and town ordinances," he said. "I’m looking ahead. I am building this enclosure as a landlord. I’ll step forward to resolve the issues of the building."
The Heritage Preservation Review Board recommended one of four potential designs for the enclosure. Henry Bibber, director of the Department of Community Development, said that the board picked the one without a lid or roof over or attached to the enclosure.
"It’s easier for the trash collectors, draws the least attention to itself and is the least expensive," said Bibber. The enclosure will be made of brick to match the surface of the James Building and to make the enclosure less noticeable.
"It makes sense to do this without a lid," said Mitchell. "How would the trash collectors empty the dumpster with a roof on it? It would be too labor intensive."
"My cost will be $10,000 to $15,000 out of pocket," Mitchell said. "I’m not signing on to a carte blanche for the town. I’m looking to build something architecturally pleasing."
According to Bibber, no schedule has been set for this project to begin. The Department of Public Works would have to direct an architectural consultant to design plans/technical drawings and work with Mitchell on the construction.
"WITHIN 30 DAYS I will have a draft agreement before Mr. Mitchell for his consideration," said Bibber, regarding the enclosure that would be approximately 10 feet deep, 24 feet wide and seven feet tall. "Enough to contain two refuse containers," said Bibber.
"We had a brief discussion about this," said Doug Wallace, owner of the Herndon Dairy Queen and one of the James Building neighbors. "I said I was interested in being a part of this at some level. I want to see how it’s going to be paid for. The place would certainly look better. It would be good for everyone out here," said Wallace. His primary reservation concerned the cost share. Would it be based upon amount of trash generated or upon square footage of one’s business?
Mitchell agreed that was one issue that would need to be resolved.
"This is a true urban solution in a public-private partnership," said Mitchell, noting that the town would be ceding the ground equivalent of two to three parking spaces in the building's parking lot for the project.