'Bookstore' Renovations Pass Riverdale Park MUTC Committee

When it comes to development in Riverdale Park, Cafritz is not the only game in town.

Douglas development—which has been working to upgrade its properties in the Riverdale Park Town Tenter and recently snagged its first tenant—is looking to renovate a second property in city limits.

The property at 4701 Queensbury Rd.—known to long time Riverdaliens as the bookstore—has been sitting vacant for several years. In recent weeks, Douglas has submitted plans to the Mixed-Use Town Center Committee detailing a renovation and expansion of the property.

"It's a nice looking design," Councilmember Alan Thompson (Ward 2) said of the plans.

The drawings call for some demolition of the original structure, which would be rebuilt into a two-story brick building with lots of windows and wide sidewalks with room for outdoor seating. Under the proposed design, the square footage of the building would increase from 4,159 sqft. to 5,368 sqft.

The proposal was approved by the MUTC committee, but due to some minor errors in plans, the developers will have to come back for final sign off on the drawings.