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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 />

<strong>Messenger</strong> delivery with<br />

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