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(Note: Article was updated on March 6th at 12:30pm with additional information.)
The Near East Side is in need of a signature grocery store, according to the latest draft (PDF) of a master planning effort for the area, as presented to the community last night at the King Arts Complex. The latest update of PACT’s (Partners Achieving Community Transformation) community blueprint shifted the idea of a neighborhood grocery store away from OSU’s University East Hospital, over to the intersection of Broad Street and Champion Avenue as a more likely candidate for placement.
The impetus for the grocery relocation to Broad Street was explained as being two-fold. First, the new site is currently owned by the City of Columbus — a formative, proactive and cooperative partner of PACT. Second, it was stated at last night’s meeting that there is already interest from an unnamed higher-quality grocery retailer who sees the potential in locating along this heavily trafficked section of Broad Street.
“Based on our real estate analysis and the expertise of Frank Petruziello (a Principal at local real estate development firm Skilken), this city-owned location is — from a market perspective — the best site identified during the planning process,” said Stephen Kearney, senior planner with Goody Clancy, the firm tasked with putting together the neighborhood plan. “I should note that a small portion of the site is owned by Heritage Day Health Centers, and a potential grocery developer would need to work with the owner to purchase this site. We are under the impression that they are actually looking for a new site already, so this could provide an opportunity for them as well.”
While neighborhood planning efforts don’t always come to fruition quickly (and sometimes not at all), the idea behind PACT is to take a more rapid approach to delivering results. Kearney stated at last night’s meeting that the PACT team is working to create a plan with achievable, implementable strategies that can be accomplished in a reasonable timeframe.
“The largest size grocery store the site can support is 35,000 square feet, which is not a typical format used by many local grocery chains,” added Kearney. “For example, the Kroger on High Street is approximately 55,000 square feet. However, grocery stores across the country are increasingly opting for smaller sized and more flexible formats to be able to locate in urban areas with high market potential. As to making it a reality, the decision will be based on the City’s future needs for the location.”
To read about other parts of the PACT neighborhood plan, CLICK HERE.
For more ongoing news and discussion on PACT, click here to visit the CU Messageboard.
For more information on PACT, visit www.eastpact.org.
Rendering courtesy of PACT.
That would be great. When we lived in Olde Towne the lack of a normal close by grocery was always noticeable. It needs a regular grocery – not rundown (looking at you Bexley Kroger), non-discount (Save A Lot), and not a small expensive specialty gourmet (Hills). I can’t imagine why this hasn’t happened yet. That seems like a nice central location.
That is a much better location, imho. I hate calling it an OTE grocery, I think the plan is addressing the Near East Side (KLD inclusive) and I think this location will serve the most people and have enough wallets to succeed. Hopefully it will be a mainstream grocery like Giant Eagle or Kroger.
If I had to wager a guess, my money would be on Giant Eagle. They’ve got no presence on the Near East Side. Kroger has their Alum Creek store on Main Street and their Turkey Hill at Broad & Nelson.
I have been hoping for a mainstream grocery store of higher quality in OTE since I moved here! I love that I can walk to almost everything BUT grocery. While Broad and Champion is a little far, it would be a boon to the neighborhood! OSU East area wouldn’t be central enough for all of OTE. Here’s hoping it moves forward!
This is something the area has been waiting for and hopefully it comes to fruition. Giant Eagle does seem like the most probable tenant. I still hope that one day an East Side version of the North Market will find a home, maybe even in the infamous Trolley Barn.
I have seen a lot of these plans, but I am wondering how likely this is to actually happening?
I’m more curious about what it will look like than which “higher quality” store it will be. Could this be Columbus’ opportunity to get a real urban focused store design? Like, frontage on both streets and parking in the back (or a garage?).
*daydreaming*
I don’t mind Kroger at Main/Alum Creek. It’s small and easy to navigate, the staff is typically friendly. The parking lot is a nightmare full of very stupid people though.
trader joes!!! highly unlikely, but it would be pretty rad.
Is this site right at Champion and Broad? Right now there is a parking lot there and if this is the location it will be right across the street from me!
Good location, I hope it happens.
I have a beer store at Parsons and Oak.
Anything else is gravy.
@Stephen – Yes, the site is the SW corner of Champion and Broad. I think there is an existing small 2-story office building there, but no idea if it would be razed or repurposed. The PACT plan also calls for the realignment of Champion/Governors at Broad Street to make the intersection more navigable for cars, pedestrians and bikes.
Giant Eagle would seem like a good fit, although its location on Whittier is not one of the better stores (in terms of locations in urban neighborhoods). I think Trader Joes or another natural foods grocer would be excellent. I hope this moves forward.
I live right across the street from this site at Governors Place. Champion shifts a bit to the right as you cross north over Broad. Our apartment complex has a small yard on the side..I wonder if they plan on moving Champion where the lawn is?
Looking at the site from Google maps it doesnt look that big..Maybe a Trader Joes?
Just looked at it myself, I was hoping it would atleast as big as the SN Kroger which is 60,000+ sq ft. I am not sure how big of a store you could fit there plus have parking. That entire lot looks about the size of the parking lot for the SN Kroger.
Unless a parking garage is built which I dont think would happen..Doesnt the city require a certain amount of parking spaces for new development?
I heard the rule of thumb for groceries is 1 parking space per 300 sq ft gross floor area.
FYI — Just updated the story with more info and quotes from the planners. Worth a re-read. ;)