"Starbucks announces more area closures" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Starbucks announces more area closures
Associated Press
The Columbus Dispatch
July 18, 2008

Starbucks Corp. has named all 600 company-owned stores it plans to close in a bid to boost its business and weed out unprofitable locations.

Nine of the stores are in Ohio, including one in Columbus and one in suburban Westerville that were marked for closure in an announcement late last week...

...Here are the central Ohio locations that Starbucks says it is closing:

1505 W. 5th Ave., Columbus (Fifth by Northwest/Grandview)
601 N. High St., Columbus (Short North!)
6144 E. Main St., Columbus
7561 Sawmill Rd., Dublin
925 N. State St., Westerville
530 N. High St., Worthington

"'Fresh eyes' will examine potentially 'blighted' district" Columbus Local News

Link: 'Fresh eyes' will examine potentially 'blighted' district
Donavon Campbell
Columbus Local News
Jluy 14, 2008

At Grandview Heights City Council's July 7 meeting, Director of Administration Patrik Bowman informed council members that a planning consultant will be hired to look into the "blighted area" study that has caused business owners in the commercial district of the city so much grief.

D.B. Hartt Inc., a Cleveland-based planning and development consultant firm, will conduct a study of its own to double-check the findings of city staff.

The "blighted area" study was one of the first phases of the process for the city to acquire tax-increment financing money to help pay for the city's portion of the proposed Grandview Yard project...

"Baird to assist city with finances relating to Grandview Yard" This Week News

Link: Baird to assist city with finances relating to Grandview Yard

...Baird managing directors David Conley and Michael DiPerna will serve as co-leaders on the project.

The company's primary role will be to review and analyze any financial proposals presented by Nationwide Realty, the developer of Grandview Yard, and report on the financial impact a proposal will have on the city, Conley said.

Baird will also report and advise the city on various financing options that may be available, he said.

The company will help create a public improvement financing plan for the city, Conley said...

"Baird likely to advise Grandview on financing" Business First of Columbus

Link: Baird likely to advise Grandview on financing
Brian R. Ball
Business First of Columbus
June 13, 2008

Grandview Heights expects to hire public finance experts at Robert W. Baird & Company Inc. to advise the city on how to fund up to $160 million of roads and infrastructure projects around the former Big Bear Stores Co. site.

City Council is expected to consider legislation June 16 to hire Baird investment bankers David Conley and Michael DiPerna as advisers on public improvements for Grandview Yard, a mixed-use project proposed by developers Nationwide Realty Investors Ltd. and Equity Inc.

Patrik Bowman, the city's administration director, said the Baird advisers informally have worked with Grandview Heights since May on how to structure the project's financing, which will leverage more than $500 million in private-sector investment...

"State's preliminary capital budget includes funds for Grandview Yard" This Week News

Link: State's preliminary capital budget includes funds for Grandview Yard
Alan Froman
This Week News
May 21, 2008

The state's preliminary capital budget includes $200,000 in funding for the Grandview Yard project.

The state is proposing to allocate the funding for a new public park and open green space in the development.

"Certainly, we're thrilled with this news," Mayor Ray DeGraw said.

Along with a park, it is also expected that bike trails will be routed through the Grandview Yard site, he said...

"Sustainable Grandview group to host seminar" This Week News

Link: Sustainable Grandview group to host seminar
Alan Froman
This Week News
May 14, 2008

The Sustainable Grandview citizens group will host an energy seminar and open house May 22 at Watt Works, 1078 Goodale Blvd.

The event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Watt Works owner Don Hall will lead the seminar, reviewing how energy-saving and environmentally-friendly products and services can be integrated into homes and businesses.

Educating the public about sustainable issues is an important part of the local group's effort, Grandview resident Laura Koprowski said.

Koprowski has been the organizer of the Sustainable Grandview group, which formed about a year ago...

"Overlay district another tool in city's redevelopment" Columbus Local News

Link: Overlay district another tool in city's redevelopment
Donavon Campbell
Columbus Local News
May 12, 2008

City officials are exploring what could be the ne xt step in the process to redevelop the commercial district of Grandview.

Director of Administration and Economic Development Patrik Bowman said city officials met with the Planning Commission last month and got the go-ahead to begin researching the implementation of an overlay district in the commercial area of town that constitutes much of the land that could become the Grandview Yard mixed-use development.

The overlay district also could include a portion of Northwest Boulevard that could see change as a result of the Yard as well as parts of Goodale Boulevard, Bowman said...

"'Blighted' status still bothering businesses" Columbus Local News

Link: 'Blighted' status still bothering businesses
Donavon Campbell
Columbus Local News
May 12, 2008

Discussions on whether to adopt the blighted-area study for Grandview's commercial district went before the entire City Council last week for the first time.

The study is one of the first steps for the city in securing state and government financing that will pay for redevelopment -- namely, the proposed Grandview Yard project -- in the commercial district, currently home to the former Big Bear warehouse.

The blighted designation for the area is meant to establish Grandview as an impacted city, meaning the area is holding the city back from much-needed commercial improvement and, ultimately, much-needed tax dollars, city leaders said...

"Property owners concerned about 'blight' designation" This Week News

Link: Property owners concerned about 'blight' designation
Alan Froman
This Week News
May 8, 2008

Property owners voiced their concerns at Monday's Grandview City Council meeting about an ordinance to identify the Grandview Yard property and other surrounding parcels as being part of a blighted area.

The designation would allow the city to negotiate a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement with Nationwide Realty Investors for improvements related to the Grandview Yard project.

Bill Prophater Sr. of Creighton LLC and Style Line, 901 W. Third Ave., told council an appraiser has told him there is "no way" his building is blighted...

"Revised Commerce District plan OK'd" This Week News

Link: Revised Commerce District plan OK'd
Alan Froman
This Week News
May 1, 2008

Grandview Heights City Council last week approved a revision of the community plan related to the Grandview Commerce District.

The Commerce District is the portion of Grandview that includes the former Big Bear property, the site for Nationwide Realty Investors' Grandview Yard project.

The entire district is about 100 acres on the city's east side generally bounded by Third Avenue, the railroad tracks, Goodale Boulevard and Edgehill Drive...

"Talk begins on Grandview Yard zoning" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Talk begins on Grandview Yard zoning
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
April 24, 2008

The Grandview Heights Planning Commission April 16 began a discussion about establishing zoning for the Grandview Yard development and the rest of the city's Commerce District.

Planning facilitator Greg Dale of the planning and zoning consulting firm McBride Dale Clarion reviewed for the commission a draft discussion outline he and director of administration/economic development Patrik Bowman had prepared.

The zoning change will be city-initiated, so there will be no formal application needed, Dale said...

"City seeks grant for Grandview Yard" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: City seeks grant for Grandview Yard
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
April 17, 2008

The city of Grandview Heights is preparing to apply to participate in the Ohio Department of Development's Job Ready Sites (JRS) Program.

The city will be seeking a grant of up to $5-million to be used to help pay for infrastructure costs associated with the Grandview Yard project, according to Patrik Bowman, the city's director of administration and economic development. "We will be vying with other applicants from around the state," Bowman said. "It will be a very competitive process."...

Columbus Arts Community Springs To Life with AGORA 2008

press release via ColumbusUnderground.com
The Couchfire Collective has announced Agora 2008 will take place on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, 2008. Agora is the brilliant showcase of Central Ohio’s art, music and community - bringing artists and art patrons together to celebrate Columbus’ diverse and talented creative community.

Agora guests have the opportunity to view and purchase hundreds of works of art, wander through over fifty working artists’ studios, experience performance acts and enjoy a variety of musical guests.

An exclusive preview event featuring art, a silent auction, musical acts and live performances will be held on the evening of Friday, April 18, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. The evening will feature special guest Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, member of Columbus City Council and strong supporter of the arts in Columbus. Maryellen will be presenting awards to artists during the Preview Party. Food from local restaurants and drinks are provided.

There is a suggested entrance fee of $3 for the main event on Saturday, April 19, 2008. Doors open at 3 PM. Additional information can be found on the website.

Agora 2008 is being hosted and orchestrated by the Couchfire Collective, an innovative group of individual artists committed to furthering civic development by increasing awareness of the artistic community. The event will be co-hosted by Junctionview Studios, a multi-function warehouse where more than 50 artists and performers work, display and perform. Agora is located at Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Avenue in Grandview Heights, Ohio.

Over 250 visiting artists, 50 artists with studios, numerous musical acts, video and performance artists have been selected and over 3,000 art patrons are expected to attend. Agora will also showcase a sampling of Columbus’s best local restaurants and eateries.

Preview night musicians will include acoustic guitar master John Morgan, experimental rock by Dayton band Paego Paego, electronic musician Count Funkula, and more. Main night musicians will include progressive rockers Six Gallery, indie folk band Russenorsk, Sinkane, Amanda Heironimus, and many more. Music runs from 3pm to midnight.

Performances by Kristina Isabelle Dance Company, HighJinks, Available Light Theatre, Queen Mae and the Bells, and many others will be scattered throughout both nights of the event.

Agora 2008 marks the first Agora and largest community arts event since Columbus, Ohio was self-proclaimed the “Independent Art Capital of The World.” The Columbus Independent Art Capital movement is fueled by and exists to support the exchange of ideas, attraction of speakers and art makers from around the world, and celebration of the rich arts culture tradition of Columbus. Agora 2008 will kick off the first summer of The Independent Art Capital of the World.

"Council OKs agreement with Nationwide" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Council OKs agreement with Nationwide
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
April 10, 2008

Grandview Heights City Council Monday approved an agreement to reimburse Nationwide Realty Investors for the preliminary engineering and design work needed for a project related to Grandview Yard development if a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district is not established.

Nationwide has contracted with EMH&T to perform preliminary engineering and design work for a project to improve the railroad bridges at Olentangy River Road and Goodale Boulevard and at Olentangy and Third Avenue.

The bridges will be reconstructed and widened to allow for more traffic...

"First tenant opens at Shoppes on Fifth" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: First tenant opens at Shoppes on Fifth
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
April 10, 2008

The first tenant at the Shoppes on Fifth retail development at the former Ed Potter Mercedes-Benz site on West Fifth Avenue is now open.

Salon Lofts, a Columbus-based company that offers loft space to self-employed beauty care professionals, opened about two weeks ago.

All other tenants are expected to be open by early June, said Paul Bloomfield, vice president of Kohr Royer Griffith, the real estate firm that purchased the property for the redevelopment...

"School district would need to approve TIF for Grandview Yard" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: School district would need to approve TIF for Grandview Yard
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
March 27, 2008

...A TIF is a mechanism that finances public infrastructure improvements necessary for a development project by using the increased property taxes the project will bring.

The city has begun negotiations with Nationwide on a TIF agreement. A TIF deal is considered essential for the Grandview Yard project to proceed.

A TIF agreement that lasts more than 10 years or is for more than 75 percent requires school district approval. It is expected the Grandview Yard TIF will require such approval...

"Rail bridge improvements negotiated" ThisWeek Newspapers

Link: Rail bridge improvements negotiated
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Newspapers
The Columbus Dispatch Archives
March 13, 2008

Grandview Heights City Council's recreation, services and public facilities committee, meeting Monday morning, discussed engineering and repair work with representatives of Nationwide Realty Investors and EMH&T.

Nationwide has contracted with EMH&T to perform preliminary engineering and design work for a project to improve the railroad bridges at Olentangy River Road and Goodale Boulevard and at Olentangy River and Third Avenue. The project would be done in connection with the Grandview Yard development planned for the former Big Bear site.

The bridges will be reconstructed and widened to accommodate more traffic, said Christopher Selvaggio, project manager for EMH&T...

"Group wants to build on Dublin Road" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Group wants to build on Dublin Road
Gary Seman Jr.
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
March 25, 2008

To keep up with demand for services in central Ohio, the Church of Scientology wants to build a new 50,000-square-foot facility near Grandview Heights.

Considered "a new breed of Scientology churches," it will have more space and more facilities to serve church parishioners and the public, said Rev. John Carmichael, president of the Church of Scientology New York.

To do so, the church will need approval of a variance for the 5-acre parcel at 1266 Dublin Road in Columbus. The development staff of the city of Columbus supports the variance, which is needed because such a use is not permitted in the current limited manufacturing zoning classification...

"Charter review could lead to big changes for city" Columbus Local News

Link: Charter review could lead to big changes for city
Donavon Campell
Columbus Local News
March 18, 2008

Grandview's Charter Review Commission continues to look into possible updates for the city's "constitution" -- and big changes for city government could be in the cards.

A commission consisting of Grandview residents A. Dustin Mets, Gene Wright, Mark Kriynovich, Mike Brennan, Don Rueben, James Waddell, Ronald Harris, Paul Fallon and Jodi Bair, along with ad hoc members City Council President Steve Reynolds, City Attorney Joelle Khouzam and Mayor Ray DeGraw, has been meeting since September in order to determine what, if any, changes need to be made. The most recent meeting was held March 11.

The charter -- originally drafted in 1931 -- is the city's legal document that establishes parameters in terms of the qualifications, terms, powers and duties of the city's mayor. It also sets the qualifications and terms of City Council members along with a variety of other items...

"Guest column: City must define 'blight' in order to structure a TIF" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Guest column: City must define 'blight' in order to structure a TIF
Patrik Bowman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
March 20, 2008

Over the past few months, there has been growing interest in the development activities taking place at the former Big Bear site. While the process of developing a site of this magnitude can become quite involved, the city appreciates the opportunity to inform residents and area businesses about what is on the horizon.

Currently, Grandview Heights city officials are in the early stages of the negotiation process with Nationwide Realty Investors to develop a public/private partnership that would fund public improvements needed to make this project workable. Before any agreement is reached or taken to city council for consideration, the city must engage in preliminary steps to pave the way to development...

"New requirements tighten TIF eligibility" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: New requirements tighten TIF eligibility
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
March 20, 2008

The city of Grandview Heights is in the early stages of negotiating a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement with Nationwide Realty Investors for the developer's Grandview Yard project.

But before the agreement can be finalized, the city must take two preliminary steps now required by the state when a TIF is for a development that includes a residential component.

The Grandview Yard development at the former Big Bear site will be a urban mixed use project including office, commercial and residential components...

"VOA plans affordable housing development near Grandview" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

If I'm not mistaken, this address falls into the Fifth by Northwest Area Commission, so I wonder how approval and review will shake out. According to this article, only Grandview was notified and it is not actually in Grandview:

Link: VOA plans affordable housing development near Grandview
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
February 28. 2008

Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio has notified the city of Grandview Heights of its plans to build an affordable housing development at 1280-1290 Norton Ave.

The site is located just north of Grandview.

According to a letter sent to the city by Dennis J. Kresak, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Ohio VOA, the development will be known as Edgehill Place and will have a newly constructed four-and-a-half story building with 100 units...

...Kresak's letter to the city indicates occupancy to Edgehill Place will be limited to individuals earning $24,720 or less annually...

"City [of Grandview Heights] to hold public hearing" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: City to hold public hearing
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
February 28, 2008

The city of Grandview Heights will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, March 3, at the Municipal Building, 1016 Grandview Ave.

The hearing will be an opportunity for the public to give its input as Grandview City Council considers a proposal to update a portion of the community plan related to the Grandview Commerce District.

The district includes the former Big Bear warehouse property and the site of the proposed Grandview Yard urban mixed-use development.

"Mayor updates council on project" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Mayor updates council on project
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
February 7, 2008

...Grandview Yard would include retail, office and residential uses, with total commercial space of between 1.5- and 2-million square feet and between 600 and 800 residential units.

"To me the issue here is does it provide a net financial gain for the city," DeGraw said. "It's a wonderful project, but it need to be a net gain" for the community.

The city will seek money from county, state and federal sources to help fund its share of the cost of infrastructure improvements needed for the project, he said.

"There's a huge excitement about this project in the region," DeGraw said. "People outside the community recognize the importance of it."

The Grandview Yard project, if successful, would have a national impact, he said...

"Commission will revise plan to clarify development goals" Columbus Local News

Link: Commission will revise plan to clarify development goals
Sierra Reyes
Columbus Local News
January 22, 2008

Revisions to the development plans for the Grandview Commerce District are now under way.

The city of Grandview Heights Planning Commission is in the process of updating the development plans for the former Big Bear site with Nationwide Realty Investors Ltd.

The commission discussed combining the city's past efforts with current objectives for a more complete development plan at their meeting Wednesday, Jan. 16...

"Brooks: County will cooperate with city on redevelopment" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Brooks: County will cooperate with city on redevelopment
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
January 17, 2008

Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks attended the Jan. 9 Grandview Heights City Council meeting to discuss the regional cooperation that will be needed regarding Nationwide Realty Investors' proposed Grandview Yard development.

Nationwide has proposed a redevelopment of the former Big Bear warehouse property and adjacent properties in Grandview into an urban mixed use that would include office, retail and residential components.

"I'm very excited about the Grandview Yard project," Brooks told council. "It will be good not only for Grandview, but for Upper Arlington, downtown and good for the university."...

"Nationwide buys properties" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Nationwide buys properties
in Office furniture business likes Global Living building
Mike Pramik
The Columbus Dispatch
January 14, 2008

Nationwide Realty Investors, which last month announced some of the details of its Grandview Yard mixed-use project, has taken an interest in nearby real estate.

The Arena District developer has bought four buildings on W. 3rd Avenue just outside the boundaries of the ambitious Grandview Yard. Nationwide Realty acquired the commercial buildings for $1.8 million...

"Consultant will review issues related to Nationwide proposal" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Consultant will review issues related to Nationwide proposal
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
January 10, 2007

The proposed redevelopment of the former Big Bear property provides great opportunity for Grandview Heights, but also many challenges, according to the planning facilitator hired by the city.

"While it's a tremendously exciting project and has the potential of providing a lot of good news for the city, it is a complicated project," said Greg Dale of the Cincinnati-based planning and zoning consulting firm McBride Dale Clarion...

...The city has contracted with Dale as it begins the long process of review and negotiation for Nationwide Realty Investors' plan to redevelop the Big Bear property and surrounding parcels as an 85-acre urban mixed use neighborhood...

"Nationwide outlines plans" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Nationwide outlines plans
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
December 27, 2007

Nationwide Realty Investors has unveiled its plans for the redevelopment of the former Big Bear warehouse property and surrounding properties -- a proposal the developer says may ultimately bring 5,000 jobs and $5-million in annual income tax revenue to Grandview Heights.

Brian Ellis, Nationwide Realty's president and chief operating officer, made an informal presentation of the developer's preliminary plans at the Dec. 19 Grandview Planning Commission meeting. No formal application has been made.

Nationwide's current plans are to redevelop about 85 acres it now owns between Goodale Boulevard and West Third Avenue into an urban mixed-use neighborhood, Ellis said...

"Trend toward mixed use often benefits developer, community" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Trend toward mixed use often benefits developer, community
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
December 27, 2007

In recent years, few urban design standards have been as important to local communities as mixed use. From Bexley to Delaware and in between, city planners have adopted these guiding principles to give depth to their neighborhoods while creating multi-faceted opportunities for residents and businesses.

From coast to coast, it's one of the biggest trends in urban planning.

Mixed-use development principles - also known as new urbanism - are creating density, architectural homogeny and a synergy among residents and businesses...

"Reynolds: redevelopment proposal to be big topic in coming year" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Reynolds: redevelopment proposal to be big topic in coming year
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
December 27, 2007

...The coming year will likely be dominated by issues relating to Nationwide Realty Investors' proposal to redevelop the former Big Bear property between Goodale and Third Avenue as a urban mixed-use neighborhood, he said...

...The rezoning for a proposed mixed-use project at the corner of Grandview and Haines avenues was approved, and council will be considering approval of a final plan for the project in the new year, Reynolds said.

Construction of the mixed-use building at 1200 Grandview Ave. was also completed this year.

An overlay district for Grandview Avenue was adopted, as was a revision to the community plan for the district, Reynolds said. Council will soon be voting on approving a revision to the community plan's section on the Commerce District, which includes the Big Bear property...

"Downtown's new backyard" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Downtown's new backyard
Martin Rozenman
The Columbus Dispatch
December 21, 2007

The developers of Grandview Yard call it an extension of their trophy entertainment venue, the Arena District.

Based on drawings that show retail stores along narrow streets in a village-type setting, shoppers also might feel they're in a smaller version of another venue -- Easton Town Center.

Nationwide Realty Investors' president shared his vision of the project at a public meeting Wednesday night. He received rousing applause from Grandview Heights officials, who welcome the tax revenue, and from residents, who pay some of the highest taxes in the county...

"$500M overhaul for Big Bear site" Business First of Columbus

Link: $500M overhaul for Big Bear site
Brian R. Ball
Business First of Columbus
December 21, 2007

Nationwide Realty Investors Ltd. and Equity Inc. may spend more than $500 million developing commercial and housing projects in Grandview Heights in the next decade.

Under a conceptual plan unveiled Dec. 19, the companies would develop 600 to 800 condominiums or apartments among up to 2 million square feet of office and retail development at the site of the former Big Bear Stores Co. complex and neighboring properties.

The Nationwide Realty executive who oversaw creation of the mixed-use district surrounding Nationwide Arena in Columbus sees similarities in the two projects...

"Plan would transform old Big Bear property" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Plan would transform old Big Bear property
Martin Rozeman
The Columbus Dispatch
December 20, 2007

The old Big Bear property on Grandview Heights' eastern edge is slated for a 10-year, $650 million makeover.

The result, says developer Nationwide Realty Investors, will be Grandview Yard. It's slated to be home to national and regional retailers, offices, 5,000 jobs, 800 to 1,200 new Grandview residents and $5 million in new tax income. Those taxes would double Grandview's current take, city officials said.

Work could begin in mid-2009 with possible completion of a first phase in 2010, said Brian Ellis, Nationwide Realty president...

"'Grandview Yard' development to replace former Big Bear site" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: 'Grandview Yard' development to replace former Big Bear site.
Martin Rozenman
The Columbus Dispatch
December 19, 2007

Grandview Yard.

That’s the name of the commercial, retail and residential development planned for the old Big Bear site in Grandview Heights...

...“We want office and commercial space to be integrated along a traditional Main Street between Goodale and 3rd Avenue,” he said. Retail, including restaurants, civic and green spaces would also be incorporated into the area...

"Grandview seeks ideas for former Big Bear land" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Grandview seeks ideas for former Big Bear land
Martin Rozenman
The Columbus Dispatch
December 13, 2007

Grandview Heights is inviting residents to a meeting tonight to talk about plans for the former Big Bear property.

On Wednesday, Nationwide Realty Investors will take its turn.

Nationwide Realty and Equity, a real-estate company, controls more than 60 acres between Goodale Boulevard and W. 3rd Avenue; 40 additional acres in that area are also available for development....

...Grandview's vision includes multistory buildings along public streets, Bowman said. "It will be similar uses (to the Arena District) but a different appearance, smaller buildings...

"City to hear plans for Big Bear site" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: City to hear plans for Big Bear site
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
November 29, 2007

Residents will be able to learn details about Nationwide Realty Investors and Equity's plans for redevelopment of the former Big Bear property on Goodale Boulevard at two meetings to be held next month.

Grandview Heights City Council will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 13, when city officials will review the proposed update of the community plan for the Goodale Boulevard area and also discuss the process for the city's consideration of Nationwide's plans for the 60-acre site.

Representatives of Nationwide are expected to attend the Dec. 19 Grandview Planning Commission meeting and make an informal presentation about the redevelopment plan for the Big Bear property. The developer will not be making a formal application at the meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m...

"Council reviews planned Grandview Avenue overlay district" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

What Grandview has been doing over the past few years with regards to its planning and development is a great example to learn from for urban minded neighborhoods that wish to keep or enhance the pedestrian focus in their commercial corridors. It is possible for other neighborhoods to implement some of the basic framework that Grandview is putting in place in their city by utilizing the city of Columbus' Area Commission system if your community is not already in one:

Link: Council reviews planned Grandview Avenue overlay district
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
November 8, 2007

Grandview Heights City Council Monday discussed an ordinance to establish an urban overlay district for Grandview Avenue.

The district would include all properties with frontage on Grandview Avenue between Third and First avenues within the city's corporation limits. It would also include the properties at 1510, 1516/1520 and 1530 W. First Ave.

Prior to its regular meeting, council held a public hearing on the overlay district and a resolution to amend the city's community plan with updated planning premises for the Grandview Avenue district...

...The updated community plan will give developers and residents a sense of how the city will act when redevelopment proposals are presented, he said...

The recently formed Fifth by Northwest Area Commission for the area just north of Grandview, which a good chunk of us always considered Grandview, is working with the city on getting an Urban Commercial Overlay put together for the portion W. Fifth Ave. (if not all of it) which falls in their commission area. The idea is to create an officially city-ordained set of guidelines for development so that the standards are clearly defined when developers come looking to get their plans approved.

The Walgreens project at the corner of Grandview Ave and Fifth Ave that was just approved a week or so ago is an example of what happens when the development standards aren't defined. As long as a developer's project meets city building code, which does not enforce any type of pedestrian-oreinted aesthetic, it can be approved.

To that end, we now have another auto-centric project going in on that corner that actually removes a building and puts the parking place in its place while shifting the new building back from the sidewalk. Great for cars. Adds nothing to the character of the area...it actually removes it in this case.

Grandview Ave., the portion which is in Columbus, just took a major aesthetic hit in order to throw in another drug store. That scar is going to be there for years to come. In my opinion this is a pretty painful loss from a visual and walkable perspective.

To end on a more pleasant note though, the Fifth by Northwest Area Commission was formed specifically to be able to dissuade the city from this type of development. Unfortunatley, the necessary political/governmental wheels move very slow, so there was nothing the commission could really do without the UCO in place. They are out there though and pushing on getting a UCO put together for Fifth Ave.

I can guarantee you this Walgreens incident will keep the fire burning brightly for those who are behind making the Area Commission and the UCO happen.

"Council to consider overlay district" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Council to consider overlay district.
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
November 1, 2007

The Grandview Heights Planning Commission has forwarded to city council an ordinance to establish an overlay district for Grandview Avenue.

The boundaries of the overlay district would include all properties with frontage on Grandview Avenue between First and Third avenues in the city's corporation limits.

The commission has also forwarded for council's consideration a community plan update for the Grandview Avenue district...

"A lower-priced niche" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: A lower-priced niche
found in "A dramatic addition"
Mike Pramik
The Columbus Dispatch
October 29, 2007

...Rebranded as Grandview Passage, the project will include the conversion of 64 apartments to condos, which are being offered at $119,900. The two-bedroom units are 830 square feet, and Schmidt's residential company called Cityspace has renovated two of the eight buildings...

"Walgreens may shuffle shops in Grandview" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Walgreens may shuffle shops in Grandview.
Martin Rozeman
The Columbus Dispatch
October 6, 2007

Walgreens has plans to build a pharmacy just north of Grandview Heights, displacing neighborhood shops.

That has some residents in Columbus' newly named Fifth by Northwest area concerned that the Grandview-like charm they enjoy is slipping away.

"We're not excited about a new Walgreens, and we were not excited about CVS before that," said Becky Obester, co-chairwoman of the Fifth by Northwest Area Commission. "(CVS) took out another mom-and-pop center. … It took out the neighborhood feel."

If it passes Columbus' zoning hurdles, Walgreens would replace four businesses on W. 5th Avenue near Grandview Avenue. The landowner says Walgreens will make architectural concessions to maintain the neighborhood feel...

"Walgreens important to area's 'gateway,' commission says" Columbus Local News

Link: Walgreens important to area's 'gateway,' commission says
Khalila Perrin
ColumbusLocalNews.com
October 2, 2007

..."This is a big deal for us. ... This is a gateway to our area. What we do (there) kind of models the behavior going forward. ...There's a lot that could be communicated," said Byerly.

With or without the commission's approval, Visconsi's next step is to take its proposal and request for variances before Columbus' Board of Zoning Adjustments for judgment. If the board approves the variance requests, developers still would face additional architectural reviews and would need to obtain various permits...

"Walgreens runs afoul of group's plan" Business First of Columbus

Walgreens under construction on Tremont Road in Upper Arlingtion
(photo credits to Ben Twaits)

This Walgreen's issue that has recently come up for an area of town just north of Grandview Heights is one of the Fifth by Northwest Area Commission's first major application's of their very purpose: to keep an eye on development projects that are not in touch with the community's vision for the growth and development of their neighborhood:

Link: Walgreens runs afoul of group's plan
Dan Eaton
Business First of Columbus
September 28, 2007

..."In the past a lot of zoning (along Fifth Avenue) has been loosey goosey," Byerly said. "We understand that, but we also need to draw a line in the sand."

He knows the type of development the commission wants can be accomplished. A Walgreens under construction on Tremont Road in Upper Arlington is on the street with parking in the rear, which is what the commission wants.

Commissioners are in talks with the city to develop an urban commercial overlay for the area, which would create additional standards for developments along Fifth Avenue. But there is no overlay yet, so standards aren't in place...

Essentially if you want to boil it down, Walgreen's has shown plans that have parking in the front which would put their new store in line with the other existing buildings that are set back from the road. That would mean that the corner would be a parking lot as opposed to the hardware storefront that is there now.

That type of development doesn't contribute to a pedestrian oriented streetscape presence that would set the tone for future development along Fifth Ave.

Parking lots don't do much for commercial corridors beyond bringing parking spaces, which can be moved to the back or the side of the project.

The Fifth by Northwest Area Commission was officially ordained by city council earlier this year. The FNAC's job is to keep an eye on development in the area and advise Columbus City Council on the community's opinion on any new development or construction. The city council is not obligated to follow the area commission's recommendations, which limits the commission's influence, but it does present an officially recognized organization to voice their opinions and establishes a much more direct path for communication on such development issues between the city and the affected communities.

Without the area commissions (some 15 or so I believe) that exist across the city, new development would be up solely to the flights and fancies of the city council and the developers who bring the projects to the table. Not to suggest that the city council abuses this power, but rather that their decisions may be out of touch with the direction a community or neighborhood might want to take their area. Commissions give communities a much more official position.

Currently the Fifth by Northwest area does not have an Urban Commercial Overlay (UCO) for the section of Fifth Avenue which this development is on. The purpose of a UCO is to "regulate development in specifically designated areas in order to protect, re-establish and retain the unique architectural and aesthetic characteristics of older, urban commercial corridors." In the case of the Walgreen's if there was a UCO, the development standards would already exist and the project would have to conform to the guidelines in order to even be considered.

If I'm not mistaken, a UCO is currently being developed for the area of Fifth Ave in question and is due out next year. Of course, I could be making that up because I can't for the life of me remember where I heard that :)

Read more about Columbus' Urban Commercial Overlays:

Download Columbus' Urban Commercial Overlay PDF

You can also read the City Code for yourself if you are a nerd like me:

Title 33 Zoning Code Chapter 3372 Section 601 thru 695

"Council accepts $6.1M for brownfields projects" Business First of Columbus

Good news for all three revitalization projects that have successfully tapped into this funding round of the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund.

This is also the first time I've heard more details about the proposed JDS (aka CitySpace) project on Goodale Blvd., which conveniently happens to be sandwiched between the Arena District and the 100 acres of land that Nationwide is working on at the former Big Bear site in Grandview.

Interesting...and good from any angle:

Link: Council accepts $6.1M for brownfields projects
Business First of Columbus
September 25, 2007

Developers are moving ahead with plans to clean up and revitalize three former industrial sites, armed with $6.1 million in Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grants.

Columbus City Council on Monday evening accepted the grants for the three projects about two months after the Ohio Department of Development approved the funding. The projects include major overhauls to the former Techneglas Inc. site on the city's south side and the former Columbus Coated Fabrics site at East Fifth Avenue between North Fourth Street and Interstate 71.

The projects received $3 million each in Clean Ohio funds, while the Kimball Midwest Inc. facility on Goodale Boulevard received $102,000 for an environmental assessment of the site that developer JDS Goodale LLC must complete before it can proceed with a $25 million project that includes a 325-car parking facility and 250 apartments. Cynthia Rickman, a spokeswoman for the city Department of Development, said the assessment marks the second phase of the ongoing project...

Take a look at the 3 sites recently awarded plus 3 previous projects that have also benefited from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund program. The program is definitely doing good stuff for our urban communities:

View Larger Map

"Developers cite stability, density, 'aura of lifestyle' as area's assets" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Great consolidated update on various development projects that are in the pipeline over in Grandview:

Link: Developers cite stability, density, 'aura of lifestyle' as area's assets.
Alan Froman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
September 20, 2007

...Another project is planned for the corner of Fifth and Grandview avenues, across from the CVS store, he said. A Walgreens store will be the anchor for this development, which will offer an additional 14,000 square feet of "B" shop space.

Best said his company is selling six office condominium-style units at the property at 2109 W. Fifth Ave. The project, known as Treetops, offers units ranging from 800 to about 2,000 square feet.

Nationwide is continuing to pursue purchasing property adjacent to the former Big Bear properties off Goodale and Third Avenue, DeGraw said. The city expects the developer may begin to present its plans for the site by the end of the year.

City council is considering approving a rezoning to allow Metropolitan Holding's plans for a mixed use condominium/commercial/retail development at the corner of Grandview and Haines avenues, he said.

And Bear Creek Capital has yet to present its updated proposal for the property it has purchased at Dublin Road and Grandview Avenue, DeGraw said.

The developer originally presented a plan for two big box type stores, restaurants and other components to be built on the 48 acres site, about 10 acres of which is in Grandview. The remainder lies in Columbus...

"Drugstore vying for Fifth Ave. space" Columbus Local News

The Fifth by Northwest Area Commission just became official back in July (if I'm not mistaken), just in time to chime in on this proposed development just north of the Grandview border. That intersection is definitely a crossroads for area and whatever development takes place will set a tone for that part of Fifth Ave.:

Link: Drugstore vying for Fifth Ave. space.
Khalila Perrin
ColumbusLocalNews.com
September 21, 2007

Development firm Visconsi Companies Ltd. presented plans to the Fifth by Northwest Area Commission for a 11,514-square-foot Walgreens at the northwest corner of Fifth and Grandview avenues, during a commission meeting Sept. 11...

...Trustworthy Hardware, 1434 W. Fifth Ave., along with a portion of the adjacent retail center -- all located within Columbus city limits -- would be demolished to accommodate the new building, if plans are OK'd...

...With or without the commission's approval, the developer's next step is to take its project proposal and request for variances before Columbus' Board of Zoning Adjustments for judgment. If the board approves the variance requests, developers still would face additional architectural reviews and would need to obtain various permits.

The Fifth by Northwest Area Commission will approve or disapprove the project -- or approve it with conditions -- at the project's second and final hearing before the commission, set for 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2001 Northwest Blvd...

"Grand plans for Big Bear property?" The Columbus Dispatch

Whatever Nationwide and Equity end up developing on this major plot of land on Granview's east side will carry some major potential for becoming a desitnation in it's own right, especially if the mix is more than just heavy on residential. Grandview is already a great little community so watching what enfolds in the coming years for this project will definitely be something to keep an eye on, especially from an investment standpoint:

Link: Grand plans for Big Bear property?
Martin Rozenman
The Columbus Dispatch
September 23, 2007

The new owners won't talk about the future of the old Big Bear property in Grandview Heights yet. But there are dots to connect.

And the picture they create could determine the landlocked suburb's financial future. The loss of Big Bear's distribution center was a blow to Grandview's economy. Residents still are paying for it through a tax increase...

...The property, which is near the Arena District, Time Warner's new headquarters and the Lennox center, could become another signature area close to Downtown and Ohio State University...

"Nationwide Realty buying more in Grandview" Business First of Columbus

More info on the Nationwide Realty purchases in Grandview Heights:

Link: Nationwide Realty buying more in Grandview
Brian R Ball
Business First of Columbus
September 14, 2007

...Nationwide Realty and Equity paid a combined $18.5 million in three transactions to acquire the sprawling Big Bear Stores warehouse complex in 2006. City officials expect the developers to continue acquiring properties north of Goodale and east of Northwest Boulevard for what could become a 100-acre, mixed-use development.

Patrik Bowman, the city's director of administration, said Grandview could get a glimpse of the redevelopment plans this fall. Given the magnitude of the project and its potential effect on the community, he said the proposal would get close scrutiny...