A Washington County developer may scrap plans for a residential high-rise on Forbes Avenue, Downtown, in favor of a smaller building that blends more with Market Square and surrounding properties.

Millcraft Industries is considering a garden-style residential building in the block between Wood Street and Market Square instead of the 17- to 18-story high-rise that once was part of its plans, executive vice president Lucas Piatt said. "I would say we're leaning that way," he said.

At the urging of the city Urban Redevelopment Authority, Millcraft also is thinking about building a parking structure at the site that not only would accommodate residents but also would provide additional spaces for the public.

"I think anyone who tries to find parking Downtown would agree that we need some more public parking down there, especially in the center of the city," Mr. Piatt said.

The developer hopes to start construction of the residential building, tentatively called The Gardens, within the next year. It would be Millcraft's first new construction Downtown and would add to holdings that include the former State Office Building and the redeveloped G.C. Murphy and Lazarus-Macy stores.

Millcraft has options on several URA-owned properties on the south block of Forbes between Wood and Market Square. The existing buildings would be demolished to make way for the new construction.

Mr. Piatt said Millcraft was reconsidering its plans for a signature high-rise that would house as many as 250 units, for more of a midrise building that would fit with the other three- to four-story structures in the block. One of those buildings is the former Murphy store, which now is known as Market Square Place and features apartments and retail and fitness space.

"We obviously want to complement the more historical feel of the buildings around Market Square," he said.

He added a garden-style building was less costly to build than a high-rise, which carried an initial price tag of up to $70 million. He did not have an estimate for the smaller building.

At this point, Millcraft is considering apartments rather than condos at the location, but that could change depending on the economy and the market, Mr. Piatt said. He said he believed that the total number of units could be comparable to what was planned for the high-rise.

Mr. Piatt said design and other preliminary work should take nine to 12 months, with construction to follow.

URA executive director Rob Stephany said he would support the idea of a garden-style, five- to six-story building on Forbes rather than a high-rise. "I think it makes sense. It fits the street better," he said. "I think it's a more appropriately scaled project."

Mr. Stephany also said he believed that public parking should be part of the plan.

"I think the idea of doing some parking is a good idea. I don't think it should be a mammoth parking garage, but more of a boutique garage. I think we need to add some spaces to the mix [Downtown]," he said.

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