By Christine Bryant
Staff Writer
City officials are hoping a new parking lot will make it more convenient for residents to visit businesses in Olde Reynoldsburg.
The lot, located near the northeast corner of Lancaster and Main streets, includes 19 new spaces for visitors to the area – something that’s been identified as a need for several years, said Nathan Burd, director of public service for the city of Reynoldsburg.
“The hope is that the parking lot will make it more convenient for residents to visit the businesses in Olde Reynoldsburg,” he said. “Although the lot is not very big, we do believe it will be helpful to the area and we’re glad that it is now open to the public.”
The parking lot, completed in September, became available after, in 2008, a vacant building and a portion of the Dance One studio caught fire and the buildings were ultimately demolished, Burd said. The city then assumed ownership of the vacant property, which is now the location of the new public parking lot.
Within the past year, a handful of businesses have opened in downtown Reynoldsburg – making the need for additional spaces greater, city officials say.
These businesses include Prost Beer & Wine Café, 7354 E. Main St., and Starstrukt Apparel, 7384 E. Main St.
“Vick’s Pizza is in the process of expanding their business, relocating to what used to be the Connell Hardware store at 7345 E. Main St.,” said Dan Havener, development director for the city. “Vick’s is tentatively scheduled to open its new facility shortly after the first of the year.”
There’s also been a considerable increase in activity over the last year from businesses interested in locating within the Olde Reynoldsburg downtown area, he said.
“Other businesses expressing interest, including IT and Web-based businesses, have submitted their applications are in the process of securing permits,” Havener said.
A new sign identifying the public parking lot is now posted.
