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Groveport wants to jump start downtown project - UPDATED
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - January 25, 2012)
The slow progress of the proposed Groveport Town Center development has members of the Groveport Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) looking for ways to move the project forward.
"We need to make a list of milestones and set deadlines for the developer to see if this can be accomplished or not," said CIC Chair Patrick Pickett at the CIC's Jan. 24 meeting.
Developer Don Ignash did not attend the Jan. 24 CIC meeting because he was out of town. Ignash said last September he was optimistic construction of the Groveport Town Center, to be located on the northeast corner of Front and Main streets in downtown Groveport, could begin in 2012.
However, according to the minutes from the December CIC meeting, Groveport City Councilwoman Jean Ann Hilbert stated there is "heavy doubt" from city council that the project will come about. She said the city needs to be involved in the discussions with potential businesses and that confirmations need to be obtained from businesses for the project.
Development Director Jeff Green suggested a meeting be set up with city staff and Ignash so officials can "convey their frustrations with the pace of the project" and to lay out the city's expectations.
"We need to push for a signed contract," said Green. "We need to move past the point of talk and see some action."
Ignash previously stated he wants to have at least 80 percent occupancy at the time of construction. The plan is for the development's units to be "condominiumized," meaning business owners would buy and own their store space.
Ignash is working on obtaining commitments from potential businesses for the development that have been discussed at previous CIC meetings including: a hardware store, a sit down, "white table cloth" style restaurant; a breakfast/lunch style restaurant; an insurance agency; a sporting goods store; a wine shop; and a clothing store.
"I have been in contact with a couple of prospects. I have yet to get more commitments from them. One is a hardware store," Ignash said in a Jan. 25 interview. "I have also been trying to change some floor plans around to better accommodate the breakfast restaurant and a possible insurance agency."
Groveport Building Official Stephen Moore said Ignash needs to submit a development plan and a site plan for city officials to review before any construction could begin. Ultimately, Groveport City Council would have the final decision on the design of the project.
The CIC will meet to discuss the Groveport Town Center project further on Feb. 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the Groveport Municipal Building, 655 Blacklick St.
About the Groveport Town Center
The proposed development, to be located on 2.4 acres at the northeast corner of Main and Front streets, calls for two, two story brick buildings containing a total of seven units. The structures would entail approximately 30,000 square feet.
The structures' design is intended to blend in with the historical architecture of nearby Groveport Town Hall and Groveport Elementary School.
There would be space for angled-in street parking in front of the buildings. A parking lot in the rear of the buildings, located on the former canal lands, could accommodate approximately 140 vehicles. Access to the parking lot would be from Main Street only.
The parking lot would not extend to Elm Street. However, Elm Street could provide emergency access to the rear of the development for fire department vehicles.
A bike path is planned to extend northeast from the development following the former canal lands.
(The Groveport CIC is a quasi public agency that is an extension of the city government. It is made up of city staff, two city council members, and local private businesspersons.)
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