by Kim Kilpatrick
October 11, 2011 9:34 AM
Mark and Lori Allen, managers of Lucenda Self Storage in Plattsburgh, New York, announced they will add four new self-storage buildings to their current facility. The new buildings will be located on the former Bouyea Bakery property.
Groundbreaking for the new units will begin within the week. Allen anticipates that the cement pads will be poured by November 1 and that the buildings will be completed and available for rental by mid-December.
Two buildings will be erected on the north side of the property and two will be attached to the current building. This will add 66 more storage units that are 10 feet by 20 feet. There will be space between the new buildings to accommodate driving around parked vehicles. During winter time, snow will be trucked off site to make access easier for customers.
The new buildings will have 8-foot doors that roll up, pitched roofs, be well lit, and the area will be landscaped. Allen anticipates that the units will rent for approximately $120 a month.
Lucenda Self Storage has been welcomed into the neighborhood. Neighbors are especially happy to see that the former bakery property is being put to good use and has been cleaned up.
The storage facility opened in 2009. All 125 upper-level units are occupied. The lower units are 75% full. There has been great demand for spaces large enough to accommodate storage for RVs, boats, and cars. "We have more demand for car and boat storage than we have room for," Allen said. Many customers like the climate controlled units because they don't have to winterize their vehicles before storing them.
Allen said that to get approval to add to his facility, he had to get some variances and a special-use permit from the city. He was pleased that the Zoning Board of Appeals and the City Planning Board worked with him so that he could get approval to build.
The mayor, Donald Kasprzak, supported Lucenda's expansion. He previously worked at the bakery and is glad that the property is being renovated and fixed up. "During these difficult times, businesses that expand and create jobs are very welcome in the city," he said.
Allen also works for Lee Custom Homes II and has been hired to build houses for two storage customers. When comparing the hectic pace of the home-building business to managing Lucenda Self Storage, Allan said that managing the storage facility was a joy. "It's a fun business," he said.
Sources Used:
"Additional storage buildings coming at Lucenda Self Storage." Press Republican; 9 October 2011.
Lucinda Self-Storage.