Groveport Messenger - February 6th, 2022
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www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
More Main Street development<br />
By Rick Palsgrove<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Editor<br />
The two large commercial buildings currently<br />
being built in downtown <strong>Groveport</strong><br />
are not the only development being<br />
planned for Main Street.<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> City Council is considering<br />
legislation to amend the zoning for the 1.19<br />
acre property located at 325 Main St. from<br />
urban residential to select commercial<br />
planned.<br />
In paperwork filed with the city, the<br />
property’s owners, Aaron and Katherine<br />
Carroll, are proposing to construct two, two<br />
story mixed use commercial buildings in<br />
two phases with business space on the first<br />
floor and residential space on the second<br />
floor. Phase 1 would be one 5,200 square<br />
foot building and be expected to be completed<br />
in 24 months. Phase 2 would be a 5,800<br />
square foot building and also include demolishing<br />
the existing more than century old,<br />
approximately 1,100 square foot, single<br />
family residence on the site. There is no projected<br />
completion schedule yet for Phase 2.<br />
“The plan is to develop two buildings on<br />
the site but not at the same time,” said<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> Development Director Jeff<br />
Green. “I would anticipate construction<br />
commencing in the spring.”<br />
Green said currently the plan calls for<br />
six residential units on the second floor of<br />
each building. It is anticipated there will<br />
be 38 parking spaces on the site.<br />
“The developer and his wife are dentists<br />
and will have their practice on the first<br />
floor and an optometrist will occupy the<br />
LEASES<br />
Continued from page 1<br />
special business market use.<br />
“There is interest in this project,” said<br />
Ross.<br />
As of the <strong>Messenger</strong>’s press time of Feb.<br />
2, the remaining leases had not been<br />
signed.<br />
“Both Preston’s and Mmelo experienced<br />
some reluctance from a couple of their<br />
investors that they’re currently working<br />
around,” said <strong>Groveport</strong> Development<br />
Director Jeff Green.<br />
When asked what the city’s next step<br />
would be to fill the spaces in the building if<br />
these businesses do not sign the leases,<br />
Green said, “We will continue to market<br />
the spaces to restaurants in the central<br />
Ohio market. We have already been<br />
approached by one prospective tenant.”<br />
Council viewpoints<br />
Here are city council members’ thoughts<br />
(in alphabetical order) regarding the lease<br />
negotiations:<br />
•Shawn Cleary: “I originally was in<br />
favor of only constructing one building as<br />
part of this project, however, I do see the<br />
potential of having both buildings. I’m concerned<br />
what our next steps would be if we<br />
don’t get the signed leases, especially in<br />
the economic climate we are in these days.<br />
•Ed Dildine: “I have the confidence in<br />
our City administration to get leases<br />
signed if not with our original prospects<br />
remainder of the first floor space,” said<br />
Green.<br />
According to the filed paperwork, the<br />
proposed mixed use development is “compatible<br />
with existing and future land uses.”<br />
It notes Main Street consists of a mix of<br />
residential and commercial uses along its<br />
length, including across the street from<br />
this property. It states the plan includes a<br />
“recommended residential use in compliance<br />
with the future land use plan” and<br />
also includes a commercial use that “compliments<br />
the neighborhood commercial<br />
scale of Main Street.”<br />
“The mixed use development will help<br />
blend the development with its neighboring<br />
residential uses while also providing the<br />
commercial use for the changing Main<br />
Street corridor,” reads the filing paperwork.<br />
The city’s planning and zoning commission<br />
will discuss the rezoning request and<br />
development plan for the property at its<br />
meeting on Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. in the municipal<br />
building, 655 Blacklick St.<br />
Other news<br />
•Council heard the second reading of<br />
legislation regarding the city’s annual<br />
street maintenance program. The city’s<br />
<strong>2022</strong> budget includes $300,000 for the program<br />
plus $75,000 for drainage improvements.<br />
<strong>Groveport</strong> City Administrator B.J.<br />
King said the program includes crack sealing<br />
several streets as well as repaving<br />
Briar Grove Drive. There are also improvements<br />
planned for Hickory Alley west of<br />
College Street and Hickory Alley east of<br />
Brook Alley.<br />
but with others who are interested. This is<br />
uncharted territory for all of us in these<br />
uncertain times. This is a project I strongly<br />
believe in for the growth of our city.”<br />
•Jean Ann Hilbert: “My hope is to have<br />
both businesses locate in <strong>Groveport</strong>.”<br />
•Becky Hutson: “I’m not too concerned,<br />
however, time is ticking and they are moving<br />
at a great pace. With the economic and<br />
shortage situation I understand their hesitation<br />
to sign. I’m looking forward to honey<br />
chicken and Preston’s. I’m sticking with<br />
build it and they will come. We are a great<br />
city and these are awesome opportunities.”<br />
•Scott Lockett: “We are cautiously optimistic<br />
that Preston’s and Mmelo will sign<br />
leases for spaces at Wert’s Grove. If they<br />
aren’t signed soon we will have no choice<br />
but to look for other possible tenants. I<br />
remain optimistic we will be able to lease<br />
out Wert’s Grove and provide our residents<br />
with the types of businesses they have<br />
requested.”<br />
•Jack Rupp: “I understand our<br />
prospects want to proceed with caution and<br />
measure their risk. We must recognize the<br />
risk to city, this is a considerable investment<br />
for <strong>Groveport</strong>. If it does not pay off, it<br />
could easily affect our ability to provide<br />
city services at their current levels. It’s<br />
imperative that we secure leases.”<br />
Township Police statistics<br />
December crime statistics from the<br />
Madison Township Police: 3 accidents with<br />
injuries, 6 animal complaints, 3 assaults,<br />
73 patrol security checks Brobst Park, 3<br />
burglary, 21 domestic complaints, 7 drunk,<br />
2 fireworks complaints, 10 hit skip accidents,<br />
11 juvenile complaints, 12<br />
larceny/theft, 3 missing persons, 56 parking<br />
violations, 2 person with gun, 20 property<br />
damage accidents, 5 shots fired in<br />
area, 5 suspicious cars, 27 suspicious persons,<br />
21 suspicious persons/vehicles, 9<br />
threats or harassment, 104 traffic stops,<br />
and 5 vandalism. (Previously the Brobst<br />
Park statistic was incorrectly described.)<br />
<strong>February</strong> 6, <strong>2022</strong> - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 3<br />
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