The project involves the redevelopment of the Parker J. Noyes building, a vacant, historic three-story, 11,650 sq. ft. wood and steel building into ground floor commercial space and six workforce apartment units on the second and third floor. Local employers cite a lack of quality rental housing as a deterrent to attracting and retaining employees. The project will help position Lancaster as a hub for regional growth and a place that attracts and retains the next generation of families and leaders. The 3,000 sq. ft. storefront space will be used by the nonprofit Taproot Farm and Environmental Education Center and its retail store, Root Seller Marketplace (“RSM”) which has outgrown its current 600 sq. ft. retail storefront several doors down, enabling a major expansion of its retail outlet for local farmers and artisans and its gleaning program, including the addition of a commercial kitchen.