Groveport Messenger - April 4th, 2021

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PAGE 2 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - April 4, 2021 MAIN STREET Continued from page 1 B.J. King. “As finishes, including plumbing, HVAC equipment, etc., became more defined, the cost increased. Additionally, the $3.8 million per encompasses costs associated with the issuance of the debt to fund the project.” When asked if the increase in cost jeopardize the project considering the city’s income tax revenues are down, King said, “The debt payment will be split between tax revenue (income tax) and non-tax revenue (money collected by the city that is not a tax). So income tax will be used to pay half of the debt issuance. We continue to monitor our income tax collections and anticipate they will rebound. God Bless Everyone & Stay Safe at Home Malek & ATTORNEYS AT LAW Malek WORK INJURIES WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SAFETY VIOLATIONS WRONGFUL DEATH PERSONAL INJURY SLIP & FALL INJURY DOG BITE INJURY Douglas, Ed, Jim and Kip Malek Ben Churchhill “Hablamos Español” FREE Initial Consultation www.maleklawfirm.com 614-444-7440 1227 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43206 We feel that through the annual budget creation process, we will be able to dedicate income tax revenue for the construction of these two buildings.” Economic Development Director Jeff Green said the starting construction and completion dates are not yet determined. “We’re still negotiating the contract and there are some variables we need to pin down, like the availability of steel,” said Green. Regarding potential occupants for the buildings Green said, “Right now we have verbal commitments from, and floorplans drawn up, for three businesses: two restaurants and a bakery/café.” About the 1847 Main project The 1847 Main project involves the construction of two new, two-story brick, mixed-use commercial buildings: one to be built at the northeast corner of Front and Main streets (674-716 Main St. and known as the Rarey’s Port building); and the second at the northwest corner of College and Main streets (480-490 Main St. and known as the Wert’s Grove building). The city is the developer for both sites. The Wert’s Grove building will be about 12,184 square feet. The first floor will have five separate storefronts with the interior space divisible according to space requirements for potential new businesses. Second floor space for now will be open. The Rarey’s Port building is tentatively planned to be 14,145 square feet, with 7,017 square feet of space on the first floor and 7,128 square feet on the second floor. The second floor space will be open for now and the first floor have six individual storefronts facing Main Street and the interior space divisible as required. Council and mayor viewpoints The Messenger asked Mayor Lance Westcamp and Groveport City Council members if they favor constructing both 1847 Main Street project buildings now, building just one building now, or waiting to tackle the entire project later when the economy improves, and also what they think the city’s prospects are of attracting businesses to the buildings. •Jean Ann Hilbert: “We purchased the property for development. We are bringing to Groveport businesses the community has requested in several surveys over several years. Three viable businesses are extremely interested in locating in Groveport. We have talked about this for years and it’s time we do what the residents want. Groveport has been blessed to have a multi-million dollar annual budget. This would cost a very small portion of the budget annually for the next 20 years. The recreation center will be paid for next year. That will release some debt monies. If we don’t think to the future, we become stagnant. •Becky Hutson: “This may be an expensive project, but now is the time for what we have promised our residents.We can afford it and maintain what we have. It is time for our employees to step up. The rec center is almost paid off, however the rec center and golf course both need subsidized each year? To me that is not paid off and we need to look at how we can improve. The city has been stagnant for years. I’m tired of that and so are the residents, so I feel now is the time to make things happen. It is a solid plan and we have people wanting to set up business here. There is nothing signed on the dotted line, but I feel they will soon, it is exciting we have some great opportunities to make our little city a place to be.” •Shawn Cleary: “I think building one building now at Main and College streets is the way to go due to our financial situation. We’ve never been in economic times like this. We can learn from the first build, this way the second building will be better than the first. www.columbusmessenger.com My biggest concern is the city would get in a financial situation where we might have to cut some city services. I don’t want to gamble with city services and employee benefits.” •Ed Dildine: “I am optimistic the economy will rebound and we will come out stronger than before. I am in favor of doing both buildings now. The cost of the project is not going to go down and will only increase as time goes on. If we can’t invest in ourselves, who can we expect to do it for us. We as a city have taken chances before - the recreation center, aquatic center, golf course - and we always find a way to make it work. We are in talks with tenants and hopefully that brings investors who will bring unique options to our city not found anywhere close. We have done study after study, survey after survey and they all say the same thing: our residents want more options. Our goal is to garner renewed interest into our downtown for not only the new buildings, but also our current businesses. Any increase in foot traffic will enhance their businesses. Our current businesses are fantastic and provide an awesome service to the community. One trip in to them and I’m sure they will gain new customers. It’s now up to our administration to get to work and hit the ground running to fill these buildings and I have the utmost faith in them to accomplish this goal.” •Chad Grashel: “We listened to the feedback from the residents and saw a desire for development such as these to improve the downtown and enhance the experience of living in Groveport. The city has invested so much into these exciting projects to this point, and as we are seeing, the cost of completion isn’t going to go down by waiting. Groveport is primed to attract small business. We have a growing community, which also brings many people into the city for work on daily basis from around Central Ohio. This should create a lot of interest in the market and is especially true when we have the infrastructure in place to promote.” •Scott Lockett: “Pre-COVID, our income was solid, the economy was good, and everyone felt optimistic. I favored going with both buildings. Once COVID hit, our income stream came in below what was budgeted. Our administrator and finance director met with council to discuss possible budget deficits and implications. When it came time to vote initially whether to go with two buildings or one, I felt we should develop only one property at a time. However, my mind was changed and I supported developing both properties. The businesses presented to us would be well received and fit nicely in our community. Our administrator and finance director again reached out providing us with financial information. My thinking changed and my preference was to build on the Main and Front site first, get that property leased and up and running. With that success, we could move on to the second building. My fear was, although there were a number of possible tenants for both buildings, none had been secured, as a result, we would be in a situation where we could possibly have unleased space sitting vacant. It became clear the majority of council felt developing two buildings was the preferred choice. Because we needed to pass the ordinance as emergency legislation, a super majority was needed requiring my vote. I respect the other members of council and their choices. So, I voted yes so we could pass the legislation because, with building costs and other factors, time is of the essence. My desire is, once these buildings are occupied with market rate leases they will become marketable and attractive to a potential developer, we sell them. I don’t think the city needs to be in the development for business long-term. We have a professional staff that addresses economic development. The task of filling the spaces will fall on them and the resources they access. My hope is we have all the spaces under lease before the end of construction.” •Mayor Lance Westcamp: “I am in favor of both buildings now. I am afraid if we only construct one, the other may not be constructed. I believe this is what we promised our residents. I am confident that the city will attract at least two well know businesses.”
www.columbusmessenger.com SCHOOLS Continued from page 1 property values or a levy,” said Drummey. She said the challenge when formulating the district’s financial forecast is to make the best prediction on what will happen with property values in the future - will they go up, go down, or stay the same. “Two key factors impacting future revenue projections are inflation and new construction,” said Drummey. Modular at Groveport Elementary Groveport Madison Assistant Superintendent Jamie Grube informed the board of plans to replace the aging modular, two classroom unit at Groveport Elementary. He said the modular is 12-to 14-years-old, in poor condition, and is leased by the district for $1,200 a month. “It’s the only modular we do not own,” said Grube, who noted the district does own the modulars set up at Asbury, Dunloe, and Sedalia elementaries. Grube said the goal is to purchase and install a modular four classroom unit, that includes restrooms and a covered walkway, to replace the old one at Groveport Elementary this summer. He said the district is looking at possibly purchasing a two-year-old unit for $200,000 and that it would cost another $200,000 to install it. “This is half the purchase cost of a buying a new modular unit,” said Grube. Grube said he will check with vendors regarding appropriate pricing and bring the proposal to the board for a decision at its April 13 meeting. around Groveport and Madison Township Tax filing deadline extended The Ohio Department of Taxation extended the deadline to file and pay Ohio individual income tax for tax year 2020, from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. As a result, the municipal income tax filing deadline for individual taxpayers has been automatically extended to May 17, 2021 as well. Late filing penalties and late payment penalties and interest will not be imposed for the period of April 15, 2021 through May 17, 2021 for these extended filings and payments. The payment due date for the tax year 2021 first quarter estimated tax payment, and the filing and payment due dates for business net profit taxpayers, are not impacted by this extension. However, RITA will not impose late filing penalties, or late payment penalties and interest for the period of April 15, 2021 through May 17, 2021 for first quarter 2021 estimated tax payments or business net profit filings and payments. Township opposes natural gas hike Residents of Madison Township participating in the Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. natural gas aggregation program may see increased rates on their February and March natural gas bills. The Madison Township Trustees believe the rate increases are unfair and are not permitted by the contract. The trustees are working with the township’s attorneys and its gas aggregation consultant, Scott Belcastro at Trebel Energy, LLC to ensure that residents are treated fairly and their rights under the aggregation contract with VESI are protected. There will be a special meeting of the Madison Township Trustees on April 6 at 7 p.m. via Zoom for anyone who wishes to learn more. There will be a presentation by natural gas aggregation consultant, Trebel Energy, LLC, followed by a question and answer period. Details on the Zoom link will be posted on the Madison Township website. April 4, 2021 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 3 Legacy of Love 5K COVID-compliant and in-person this year, the Legacy of Love 5K will be held at the Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road, on April 18 at 2 p.m. Register at www.alex5k.org/alex5k. The Legacy of Love 5K is the primary fundraiser for the Alexandria Leigh Goodwin Angel Foundation, an organization committed to creating a more positive, loving world through random acts of kindness. It was created in memory of Alexandria “Alex” Goodwin, a 2014 graduate of Groveport Madison High School, who had just finished her sophomore year at Capital University at the time of her unexpected passing in 2016. Nearly everyone who encountered Alex felt her warmth and benefited from her kindness and joy. Her family and friends recognized the energy she created in the world is still needed, and created the ALGA Foundation in 2017 to continue her spirit of kindness and to encourage others to create their own legacy of love by performing random acts of kindness whenever possible. To date, the Foundation has given over $6,000 in scholarships to Groveport Madison graduates and Capital University students and thousands more to organizations and causes throughout central Ohio. The Legacy of Love 5K features music, finisher medals, awards, goodies, and raffle prizes. You can participate by running, walking, cheering and/or donating; and by sponsoring. The Virtual 5K is back also. Walk or run at a time and location of your convenience, and the ALGA Team will deliver or mail your packet directly to you. Visit www.alex5k.org/alex5k. CW Blues and Ribfest cancelled Canal Winchester Blues and Ribfest officials recently announced on Facebook that the event, scheduled for the summer of 2021, has been cancelled due to circumstances surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They plan for the festival to return on July 29-30, 2022. FRANK’S MARKET FISH AND SEAFOOD NEW 2 ND LOCATION 2410 Hilliard-Rome Road OPENING MID - APRIL • 5x’s Bigger Than Original Location • Double Wine Selection • More Items to Choose from Frank’s Fish and Seafood Market to open second superstore If you like seafood, you will love this news! Frank’s Fish and Seafood Market, 5251 Trabue Road, is known for its frozen lobster tails, King Crab legs, Snow Crab clusters, orange roughy, lake smelts, fresh chopped clams, squid tubes and tentacles, caviar, salted baklava, fresh cod, fresh eel, octopus, fresh lump crabmeat (non-pasteurized), Florida stone crab claws, snow crab cocktail claws, and special order only live lobsters. Now owner Frank Gonzalez is opening a second retail superstore at 2410 Hilliard-Rome Road in mid-April that will give customers more opportunities to purchase and enjoy great seafood. According to Gonzalez, the new superstore (which will not include a restaurant) will be five times bigger than the original store. “We will be able to serve customers better and offer more items. Plus we will have double the wine selection,” said Gonzalez, who added the business also supplies 250 stores and restaurants. The new superstore is open seven days a week. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The existing store hours are Monday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday thru Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday. Visit both locations to enjoy the finest in fresh fish and seafood to be found in Central Ohio. For information call 614-878-3474 or visit franksfishandseafoodmarket.com.
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Groveport Messenger - April 4th, 2021

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