HIGH POINT -- The recent defeat of the High Point "Market Overlay District" opens opportunities for Safavieh to erect a showroom building on property it owns at the intersection of Linday St. and Kivett Dr. in High Point.
Cyrus Yaraghi, a Safavieh principal, told Rugnews.com the company's proposed "High Point Pavilion" building is still in the development phase.
The controversial Market District Overlay proposal would have established new geographical boundaries for showroom buildings in downtown High Point. It was voted down after Safavieh and others voiced their opposition.
The proposed Safavieh "High Point Pavilion" was originally budgeted at $5 million. Construction plans were put on hold during the recent economic crisis, but Safavieh allowed the use of the property to provide High Point market visitor parking.
"We are very happy with the decision to scrap this market overlay district because it was not a good idea," said Arash Yaraghi, a Safavieh principal. "Now that all the companies that would have been adversely affected have been networking with one another, we feel our voices have been heard. "
During its regular January meeting, the High Point City Council unanimously rejected requested ordinance amendments that would have established the Market Overlay District.
City planners had mapped enlarged boundaries for the district that addressed concerns about the proposal voiced in recent months, but council members instead decided to abandon the idea altogether.
"As far as I'm concerned, abolish the whole overlay and let the market dictate where showrooms are," said Councilman Mike Pugh, who made the motion to scrap the proposal.
City leaders said they agreed with the idea behind the proposal -- to revitalize the downtown area by encouraging other business growth, such as restaurant and retail, in the area surrounding the showroom district.
"We look forward to working with the city of High Point to develop positive ideas for revitalizing the downtown area and especially to transforming Main street into a year-round destination," said Arash Yaraghi.
To see a November, 2009 article in which Safavieh issued a statement saying it planned to contest the proposed Overlay Plan, click here.