BY KEN de la BASTIDE

Anderson Herald Bulletin Senior Reporter

The proposed Town Center project in downtown Anderson will add three more properties.

The Anderson Economic Development Commission on Thursday approved the expansion.

The additional projects include the Ryden Arts building at 1119 Meridian St., the alley to the south of the building, and 1302 Jackson St., which is a portion of the parking lot north of the former McDonald's restaurant, said Steve Fultz, director of the Anderson Economic Development Department.

The February resolution approving the project required the commission to approve additional properties not already listed in the resolution, said Anderson City Attorney Tim Lanane.

He said the added projects will not require additional funding.

The EDC held a public hearing on the competitive effects of the additional projects. No one from the public attended the meeting.

Fortune Management intends to construct a building in the alley, Fultz said.

Randy Kindig, project manager for Fortune Management, said the Ryden Arts building will comprise the north side of the Town Center plaza.

He said Fortune Management intends to add a new facade to the building and to convert it to up to five ground floor office spaces facing onto the Town Center. Fortune Management intends to build condominiums on the second floor.