RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
The Dispatch wrote
Council approves Arena District land sale
Monday, October 20, 2008
BY ROBERT VITALE
Columbus City Council members gave their blessing tonight to a plan that will develop one of the final corners of the Arena District. But their approval came with a few conditions.
To get nearly 2.5 acres of city-owned land at the district’s northern edge, developers must agree to four council demands, including opening up a planned parking garage to anyone who needs a space.
The garage would be built with money from a tax-increment-financing district in the neighborhood, but developers told city officials last week that they planned to restrict parking to customers and employees of a new grocery store.
Another of the City Council conditions for the Arena District land sale is a demand that Giant Eagle let its landlord find a new, non-supermarket tenant. Councilwoman Maryellen O’Shaughnessy said the provision wouldn’t stop a specialty food store from setting up shop.
Council members also added a demand that the city figure out how to make the walk safer from Westminster-Thurber to the proposed new Giant Eagle site.
Related Stories:
- Arena District vying for last piece of puzzle
- Supermarket slated for 2.5 acres in Arena District
- Giant Eagle & apartments in plans for Arena District
I don’t know how how the “demand that Giant Eagle let its landlord find a new, non-supermarket tenant” has any bite at all. Why would Giant Eagle have cared? It’s if another grocery store would want to open and directly compete with them that I’d picture them having issues.
According to our neighborhood group, GE has a history of letting its old retail spaces remain fallow. I know this concern was brought to Council and this is probably just insurance.
A.
I’ve always heard this was a practice of Walmart’s when upgrading to a new larger building nearby…. retaining control of the old one and not allowing any competition to use it.
I know “Trader Joe’s” has been tossed around as something everyone would like to see in the old GE spot, and if there is actually any chance that TJ wants to set up there, it would be in the best interest of the city, and the neighborhood to keep GE from trying to prevent it.
From what I watched on the proceedings on Channel 3 from last week, the City wants to force GE to terminate their lease on Neil as soon as the new store is open in the AD.
I’m not sure how many years are left on that lease, but I’m really not sure how the city can force GE to terminate early upon vacation. That seems like it’s an issue between GE and the landlord on Neil. I know the city’s trying to minimize risk on that space sitting dark, but I think that’s private sector business.
Council also mentioned they don’t want a dollar store in that space, and do want a specialty food store in that space. Again, I’m not sure how the City can dictate what type of retail tenant can lease the vacated space on Neil.
The City’s influence on the new store is another story due to the public money involved.
I’m not sure how many years are left on that lease, but I’m really not sure how the city can force GE to terminate early upon vacation. That seems like it’s an issue between GE and the landlord on Neil. I know the city’s trying to minimize risk on that space sitting dark, but I think that’s private sector business.
Council also mentioned they don’t want a dollar store in that space, and do want a specialty food store in that space. Again, I’m not sure how the City can dictate what type of retail tenant can lease the vacated space on Neil.
The City’s influence on the new store is another story due to the public money involved.
how did the renderings look, or did they have any at all? i’m sure it’s going to be more of the same.