City and NP Mill discuss use of site
The New Prague Planning Commission and the business, New Prague Mill, LLC, which owns the former flour mill, discussed the use of the mill at the commission’s Wednesday, Jan. 22, meeting.
Also under discussion was whether to allow a business, Cypress Rail, at the mill. Cypress Rail, which does repair and maintenance to railroad cars, is looking to sign a lease with New Prague Mill, LLC. Cypress Rail would be located in a back area of the mill.
Planning and Community Development Director Ken Ondich said one purpose of the discussion was for the commissioners to offer feedback, especially as New Prague Mill, LLC was looking at what to do with the west side of the mill.
Bill Gibson of New Prague Mill, LLC, noted his business did a sound test Jan. 22 to see how loud equipment used by Cypress Rail would be in the area. Also present at the sound test were city staff and representatives of Cypress Rail. Gibson noted one test reached 70 decibels, which was the sound an air conditioner would make. “We think this is a good use of the property,” Gibson said, adding a sound curtain has been set up around the area where Cypress Rail would be working.
Gibson said his business is trying to figure out what to do with the grain silos. One of the concepts was to turn the silos into apartments, he said, adding there is a large upper room of the mill which could be turned into a bar. The remodeling costs for the silos and upper room would likely be very high, said Gibson.
A representative of Cypress Rail said the location at the mill would work for them, adding one of their primary customers is in...
To see more on this story pick up the January 30, 2025 print edition of The New Prague Times.