A dilapidated commercial center in the Bartlett Station area is headed for a much-needed refresh after a lengthy push for its improvement.

The city’s Design Review Commission considered a revised site plan on Tuesday, March 18, for the Bartlett Village Shopping Center at 5989 Bartlett Center Drive, northeast of Stage and Bartlett Boulevard.

Bartlett City Planner Sam Harris describes the project as a “heavily postponed property maintenance issue.”

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The center, built in the mid-1980s, has received multiple code violations dating to June 2018 concerning the lack of property maintenance.

“They’ve had some rat issues out there due to the neglect on the part of the property owner,” Harris said.

The site plan was required to go before the DRC because of the fabric awnings that originally covered the storefronts. The awnings fell into disrepair and were partially removed.

“The canopies have deteriorated over the years and have been taken down..., and there’s issues with the EIFS (exterior insulation and finish system) on the side of the building,” said Bartlett Code Enforcement Director Trey Arthur, who noted there are also problems with the parking lot, landscaping, lighting and more related to the property. “We’re hoping that this solves some of them.”

Planner Leslie Brock explained that the city believes awnings are important because they keep customers and tenants from getting wet, and the property’s eastern frontage has nothing to serve that purpose.

Building owner Martin Chow wants to remove the rest of the awnings, but city staff requested reinstallation of some sort of canopies or awnings. 

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“The EIFS on the side, the awnings, the lighting fixtures, the paint, all of that’s addressed in this plan,” Chow said. “I’m trying to make the building more attractive.”

The commission ultimately decided to defer a vote until the next meeting to allow the applicant and city to resolve the awning question. 

“Given the scope of the work that needs to be done, I think there needs to be established timelines and expected deadlines,” Commissioner Ed Brooks said.

Harris points out that by adding the awnings, the project might be able to qualify for a facade improvements incentive program offered through the Bartlett Station Commission, which offers a benefit of up to $35,000 if a building owner contributes $70,000.

The property is one of several aging commercial centers through the suburb’s busy Stage Road corridor in need of a refresh.

One building that recently completed facade improvements through the Bartlett Station Commission program is the McLemore commercial strip at 6331 Stage Road.