ADVERTISEMENT

    Developer Sees Promise in Rehabbed Commercial Buildings on Parsons

    Mark Longstreth hopes that the renovation of a two story building at the southeast corner of Whittier Street and Parsons Avenue is the first of many such projects in the neighborhood — he sees potential in the historic commercial buildings that line the avenue, and thinks that the neighborhoods on both side of Parsons represent an underserved retail market.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Longstreth purchased the property in March along with an adjacent one-story building to the east and the former Whitt’s End/Avenue Bar to the south. Renovations have been ongoing and have involved completely redoing the upstairs apartment units — refinishing hard wood floors and exposing brick walls — and updating the interiors and exteriors of the four storefronts along Parsons.

    “I think Parsons is the natural commercial corridor for the south side… there are a lot of old, nice commercial buildings that are built up to the street,” he said. “It has that feel of an urban, walkable corridor.”

    Longstreth thinks that a number of factors are working in the street’s favor — its proximity to German Village and Merion Village, the investment in the neighborhood from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the new Village Pointe building, which is home to the Fitness Loft and the Crest Gastropub.

    “Over the last couple years, more and more folks have stepped up to invest, both big and small, on Parsons,” said Bob Leighty, Executive Director of the Parsons Avenue Merchants Association. “We have a variety of buildings that just need someone to do some creative remodeling,”

    Longstreth, who is from Columbus but based in New York City, is partnering on the project with John Mally and Nicholas Evans, two friends he’s known since their days at Bishop Hartley High School. Mally is an agent at NAI Ohio Equities and has been marketing the properties, while Evans is an artist and designer who conceived of the buildings’ new look, which includes a fresh coat of paint to the exterior that serves to tie the four storefronts together.

    “Over the last 20 or 30 years, there’s been a stigma around Parsons, but I think a tipping point is coming soon,” said Longstreth, adding that he’s fielded a number of inquiries from businesses that “have been priced-out of the Short North and other neighborhoods.” The first new tenant, a Metro PCS outlet, moved in in April, and he is optimistic that they can find the right mix of retail tenants for the other spaces to serve the wide range of existing residents on both sides of Parsons.

    For more updates and discussion on Parsons Avenue, CLICK HERE to visit our messageboard.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    CCAD Wants to Uncover Historic Building, Fill in Parking Lot

    The Columbus College of Art & Design has submitted...

    Intel Gets More Federal Funding for Ohio Production Plants

    Nearly $20 billion in federal grants and loans is on its way to Intel to support work on semiconductor fabs in Ohio and around the country. The funding is part of the CHIPS Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. Ohio’s New Albany-area Intel facility currently under construction stands to benefit substantially.

    Updated: Madison County Solar Farm Would Be One of the Largest in U.S.

    UPDATE (3/21/24): The Ohio Power Siting Board voted seven...

    The Confluence Cast: Downtown with Michael Brown

    We're exploring the evolution of downtown with Michael Brown, who has been a cornerstone in the city's development planning and worked both in and outside city government to cheer on its growth. Columbus Underground editor Walker Evans and Mike delve into the city's challenges and triumphs, the synergy between projects, the balance between iconic and neighborhood-level public art investments, and the concerted efforts to address systemic issues like homelessness and affordable housing. Through anecdotes and insights, they highlight Columbus's young, creative energy and the dynamic urban policies that continue to drive its growth.
    Brent Warren
    Brent Warrenhttps://columbusunderground.com/author/brent-warren
    Brent Warren is a staff reporter for Columbus Underground covering urban development, transportation, city planning, neighborhoods, and other related topics. He grew up in Grandview Heights, lives in the University District and studied City and Regional Planning at OSU.
    ADVERTISEMENT