Grove City: Developments and News

Posted October 5, 200519 yr

From the Grove City Record, 9/29/05:

Boso: TIFs integral in city's development

Grove City negotiating new agreements with Meijer, Rockford

Thursday, September 29, 2005

By JEFF DONAHUE

Record Staff Writer

Without Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements, Grove City Development Director Chuck Boso says the city wouldn't be enjoying the explosion of retail and residential development that has literally changed the face of the city over the past two years.

http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=GroveCity&story=thisweeknews/092905/GroveCity/News/092905-News-17558.html

October 12, 200519 yr

From the 10/6/05 Grove City Record:

Grove City administration lobbies council for TIF approval

Support for Rockford project apparent, Meijer status uncertain

Thursday, October 6, 2005

By JEFF DONAHUE

Record Staff Writer

Grove City Council President Bill Saxton knows he has his hands full as he tries to convince at least two other council members to support a proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement that would bring a Meijer store to Grove City.

http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=GroveCity&story=thisweeknews/100605/GroveCity/News/100605-News-23000.html

February 16, 200619 yr

From the 2/9/06 Grove City Record:

RENDERING: A view from the fountain of the public plaza and Buildings C and D from the Steed Hammond Paul proposal for the redevelopment of the Grove City lumber yard site.

RENDERING: A view of Park Street from the Broadway intersection with City Hall in the foreground.

RENDERING: An aerial view of the Steed Hammond Paul lumber yard site plan.

RENDERING: A view of the proposed Gateway entrance to the development.

STEED HAMMOND PAUL

Proposal stresses expansion of Town Center

Thursday, February 9, 2006

By JEFF DONAHUE

Record Staff Writer

Editor's note: This is the first in a five-part series highlighting proposals submitted for the redevelopment of the Grove City lumber yard property. This week's proposal was submitted by the Steed Hammond Paul architectural firm.

Extending the boundaries of the historic Town Center District is the primary emphasis of Steed Hammond Paul's proposal for the redeveloping the Grove City lumber yard site. "Our team's proposed plan for the redevelopment of the lumber yard property seeks to extend the commercial vitality and historic presence of the existing Grove City Town Center by presenting a balanced mix of retail space, professional office space and housing to the Town Center," said SHP vice president Andrew S. Maletz. "Our development will build on the strengths and character of the Town Center to complement the overall image of this area."

February 16, 200619 yr

How...wonderful?

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

February 16, 200619 yr

Yay! The south side is getting an Easton (kinda)!

February 16, 200619 yr

More like Leaseton.

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

February 21, 200619 yr

Here is the second proposal, from the 2/16/06 Grove City Record:

RENDERING: A sketch of the partially covered plaza connecting two retail/office buildings proposed by The Stonehenge Company for the redevelopment of the Grove City lumber yard site.

RENDERING: An elevation shows a view of the retail/office buildings planned for the Park Street side of the project site.

RENDERING: Twenty Boston Brownstone condominiums with living areas elevated one half a level above the street are included in The Stonehenge Company's lumber yard redevelopment proposal. The condos would be priced in the $220,000 to $300,000 range.

THE STONEHENGE COMPANY

Public plaza is focus of mixed-use plan

Thursday, February 16, 2006

By JEFF DONAHUE

Record Staff Writer

The creation of a public plaza surrounded by upscale condominiums, retail and office buildings and two new restaurant sites are the key elements in the lumber yard redevelopment plan submitted by the Gahanna-based Stonehenge Company. Stonehenge President Mo Dioun and Bird Houk Collaborative Managing Principal Gerry Bird say they are confident their proposed development will give Grove City an "urban heart" that reinforces the existing architecture of the Town Center historic district.

February 28, 200619 yr

The third proposal, from the 2/23/06 Grove City Record:

RENDERING: A computer-generated image shows what the current City Hall would look like if the Pizzuti Solutions proposal to convert the building into a library is adopted. The plan features an open public plaza where council chambers exist today.

SITE PLAN: An overview of the site plan shows retail, residential and institutional uses.

PIZZUTI SOLUTIONS

Library, City Hall land swap proposed

Thursday, February 23, 2006

By JEFF DONAHUE

Record Staff Writer

The relocation of the Southwest Public Library's Grove City branch from Park Street to the current City Hall building on Broadway highlights a proposal submitted by Pizzuti Solutions for the redevelopment of the old lumber yard site. Under the Pizzuti Solutions proposal, the library would occupy a modified City Hall site and City Hall would move to the current library site where a new municipal building would be constructed adjacent to the Grove City Division of Police headquarters.

Pizzuti Solutions, a division of The Pizzuti Companies, was founded to provide solutions for public-private development projects. Among Pizzuti's past projects are One & Two Miranova Place in downtown Columbus; New Albany's Bevelhymer Park; the Toledo Marina District and the Winter Park, Fla. City Hall project.

March 9, 200619 yr

Here is the fourth of five proposals, from the 3/2/06 Grove City Record:

RENDERING: The Skilken plan includes 13,000 square feet of retail development along Park Street and Grove City Road and an additional 9,000 square feet along Broadway. A 5,000-square-foot destination restaurant is proposed for the corner of Grove City Road and Broadway.

Plan calls for moving Grove City Road

Thursday, March 2, 2006

By JEFF DONAHUE

Record Staff Writer

When Frank Petruziello sat down to work on a plan to redevelop the Grove City lumber yard site, something was missing. That missing element turned out to be land, so, in preparing the plan for Columbus-based Skilken Development, Petruziello proposed the acquisition of additional property and the realignment of Grove City Road to create a "Market Square" concept on the site.

"By acquiring several parcels to the south of City Hall and relocating Grove City Road, the interior of the Market Square becomes amenable for a sizable open space suitable for public gatherings, concerts, farmers markets," Petruziello said. "The various components of the square (city hall, retail, restaurants, residential, office) will create an exciting 'live, work, play' atmosphere while still retaining the intimate setting of a small town."

March 14, 200619 yr

The last one, from the 3/9/06 Grove City Record:

MODEL: A model of the Zaremba Inc. plan for the redevelopment of the old Grove City lumber yard site shows city hall in the foreground and mixed use retail/residential buildings to the west of Broadway.

SITE PLAN: An aerial view shows the proposed layout for the site.

ZAREMBA INC.

Internal boulevard proposed for site

Thursday, March 9, 2006

By JEFF DONAHUE

Record Staff Writer

Cleveland-based Zaremba Inc. is proposing the creation of a new "internal boulevard" as part of its plan to redevelop the old Grove City lumberyard site. "This boulevard leads to a modest plaza and is surrounded by plenty of on-street parking, sidewalks and urban landscaping," wrote Nathan Zaremba in his proposal to the city. "It creates an inviting pedestrian link between The Grove and the plaza."

"The Grove" is Zaremba's name for a new public park on the site that would act as a threshold to the development and create a second front door for City Hall. Parking for City Hall would be relocated from the surface lot west of the building to a new underground public parking garage located beneath The Grove.

April 4, 200619 yr

From the 3/30/06 Grove City Record:

Apartments, TIF on council agenda

Stage among opponents of Corbin's 56-unit, Cardinal Place on Broadway

Thursday, March 30, 2006

By JEFF DONAHUE

Record Staff Writer

Grove City Councilman Larry Corbin's proposed Cardinal Place apartment project and the pending decision to create a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to help fund the state Route 665/I-71 improvement project highlight the agenda for the April 3 Grove City Council meeting.

http://www.thisweeknews.com/?edition=GroveCity&story=thisweeknews/033006/GroveCity/News/033006-News-122331.html

June 20, 200618 yr

From the 6/15/06 Grove City Record:

Lumberyard recommendation due

Skilken develoment proposal is committee's first choice to present to council

Thursday, June 15, 2006

By LINDSEY NOCK

Record Staff Writer

The Grove City Town Center Development Committee recommended to city council the Skilken Development plan as its first choice for the lumberyard redevelopment June 12. Mayor Cheryl Grossman said Columbus-based Skilken Development was the committee favorite because it was a development plan with the city's future in mind.

"The fact that they looked at something that would last for the next 50 years and was innovative and creative was very exciting to the committee," Grossman said. "This really is the next important chapter for our town center development. We want something that's going to complement what already exists as well as create synergy and excitement about what that next phase will be."

July 24, 200618 yr

From Grove City News, 7/19/06:

Committee recommends Skilken plan

The developers were ranked No. 1 out of five companies looking to redevelop the former lumberyard.

By KRISTIN CAMPBELL

Downtown Grove City is likely to undergo a major transformation in the next several years, and council members are seeking public input. In the coming weeks, Grove City Council plans to hold a public meeting where three development plans will be presented.

July 31, 200618 yr

From ThisWeek Grove City, 7/27/06:

Town Center residents fear property loss

Lumberyard plan to displace homes and businesses

Thursday, July 27, 2006

By LINDSEY NOCK

Record Staff Writer

In the wake of the Grove City Town Center Redevelopment Committee's recommendation to city council to enter into negotiations with Skilken Development to redevelop the former Grove City Lumber site, some Town Center residents are still in the dark about the fate of their homes.

The Skilken plan for the 2.4-acre site would redirect Grove City Road from its current "Y"-intersection at Broadway into a "T" intersection. The move also would free up land for a condominium project. Nine residents and business owners in the Town Center, including the home of Shelly and Jeffrey Williams, would be lost.

August 12, 200618 yr

Project receives planning commission approval

ThisWeek Grove City, 8/3/06

The Grove City Planning Commission approved two items July 25, including a development plan for a nursing home at the Grovebrook Golf Club and changes to Town Center's Grove City Hardware.

"The Inn at Grovebrook" would be a 63,000-square-foot facility located on six acres at Hoover and Holton Roads. It would be the first phase of development for the 20-acre parcel. Staff reports indicate plans for 113 beds in four wings.

Grove City Hardware, which closed for three months earlier this year after a portion of the building collapsed, would be reconstructed with an outdoor patio under plans approved by the commission. The earlier damage was blamed on water damage to the brick and mortar structure. The project would include a two-level rear patio and an interior elevator, with skylights to provide natural light to the interior.

August 15, 200618 yr

From ThisWeek Grove City, 8/10/06:

Bird Houk's plan

Skilken Development's plan

Steed Hammond Paul's plan

Council previews lumberyard proposals during special session

Thursday, August 10, 2006

By MICHAEL J. MAURER

Record Staff Writer

Grove City Council met in special session Aug. 3 to review the three leading development proposals for the former Grove City Lumber site, which sits on a 2.4-acre, wedge-shaped parcel behind City Hall between Grove City Road and Park Street. Council President Rich Lester said council is looking closely at the options. "With the importance of this lumberyard development, we want to make sure we ask for public input," Lester said.

Making presentations were Frank Petruziello of Skilken Development, Andrew Maletz of Steed Hammond, Paul and Mo Dioun of Stonehenge Company with collaborator Gerry Bird of Bird Houk Collaborative. All three plans call for a mix of retail and office use, residences, parking and public plaza space. While two of the plans limit themselves to the existing property, the Skilken proposal, chosen by a special committee that reviewed design submissions earlier this year, would reconfigure Grove City Road and add several acres of land nearby, requiring the city to either purchase those homes or use its eminent domain powers.

August 29, 200618 yr

From the 8/24/06 Grove City Record:

Lumberyard decision postponed to Sept. 5

Thursday, August 24, 2006

By MICHAEL J. MAURER

Record Staff Writer

Grove City Council Monday night postponed to Sept. 5 consideration of three competing development proposals for the former Grove City Lumber property adjacent to City Hall, between Grove City Road and Park Street.

The resolution, which explicitly authorizes the city administration to enter into negotiations with Skilken Development, but which council members have said is open for review, may be postponed a second time to a date later than Sept. 5, several council members said Monday night.

September 12, 200618 yr

From the 9/7/06 Grove City Record:

Stonehenge named lumberyard consultant

Thursday, September 7, 2006

By MICHAEL J. MAURER

ThisWeek Staff Writer

A summer's worth of reconsideration by Grove City Council of three proposals to develop the former Grove City Lumber property adjacent to City Hall finally ended Tuesday night, as council selected developer Stonehenge Company to lead the project. A steering committee had previously recommended Skilken Development, which had proposed to square off Grove City Road and expand the existing, triangular site into a larger rectangle that included more frontage on Broadway. Skilken seemed to have the upper hand in the selection, with its name being included in the authorizing ordinance.

Following three presentations in August, however, along with site visits by several council members, the balance of support shifted from Skilken. Council member Ted Berry moved to replace Skilken with Stonehenge and Bird Houk, and the resolution was approved 3-2. Berry and fellow council members Ike Stage and Maria Klemack voted in favor, while Corbin and council President Rich Lester voted against.

September 13, 200618 yr

From the 9/7/06 Grove City Record:

Grovebrook and open space

Spurned developers respond with two different tacks

Thursday, September 7, 2006

By MICHAEL J. MAURER

Record Staff Writer

The sponsors of an assisted living facility did not take long to respond to Grove City Council's narrow rejection Aug. 21 of their proposed use of the former Grovebrook Golf Course on Hoover Road, and neither did the developers of an adjacent 102-acre parcel that had been proposed for office space. Instead of fighting intense citizen opposition, the developers of the 6.4-acre assisted-living facility, Jerry McClain Companies of Newark, have taken up a resident's public suggestion and simply moved to another location within Grove City. "The Inn at Grovebrook" has become "The Inn at Pinnacle."

September 18, 200618 yr

From Grove City News, 9/13/06:

Second go at Grovebrook plan would have new look

The assisted-living facility proposed in the first plan has moved to a site near the Pinnacle.

By KRISTIN CAMPBELL

Residents and developers are continuing to work toward a compromise regarding a 100-acre parcel of Grove City land. The land that was once the Grovebrook Golf Course, on Hoover Road north of the Buckeye Ranch, has been the subject of heated debate recently, with city officials and residents wrestling over how much of the space should be kept green.

City administrators and members of the planning commission recommended the land be used for an assisted-living facility, condominiums for seniors citizens and a row of office buildings fronting on Interstate 71. With the proposal, about one-third of the land would be residential, one-third would be commercial and one-third would be parkland.

February 15, 200718 yr

SR-665 widening project now under way

Grove City Record, 2/3/07

Spring is the time for blooms, bees and bulldozers, with recent warm weather perfuming the air with flowers and diesel fuel. Earth movers are now rolling along the north and south edges of London-Groveport Road as the approximately 18-month, $11.5-million state Route 665 widening project has gotten under way.

Along the length of the project running less than a mile from Hoover Road west to North Meadows drive, rows of small orange and yellow flags lined both sides of the street, indicating the expansion from two to five lanes that SR-665 will undergo. City officials last week held a public meeting to address concerns and answer questions residents had about the project.

June 22, 200717 yr

Stringtown Rd. in Grove City area is really coming up. I heard Jim Carey is buying a house in one of the subdivisions.

June 27, 200717 yr

From Grove City News, 4/11/07:

City talks garages

One City Council member says he is not happy with the possibility of residents footing the bill for parking.

By KRISTIN CAMPBELL

City officials continue to hash out plans for the renovation of downtown Grove City.

The property behind City Hall, the former lumberyard site, has been a focus of discussion. Last year, Grove City Council approved a developer for the site, but that represented the earliest planning stages. At its Monday meeting, council will be asked to approve an agreement to allow The Stonehenge Co., the chosen developer, to begin drawing up plans.

But some dissent underlies the planning process. Councilman Larry Corbin made remarks at the April 2 council meeting indicating his disapproval of a proposed parking garage on the site. He said his reservations stem from the cost of the garage. The garage -- which is only in the preliminary planning stages and has not been approved by council -- could cost between $2.5 million and $4 million.

June 27, 200717 yr

From the 4/19/07 Grove City Record:

Council approves design agreement for Lumberyard

Further negotiations to take place before issue settled

Thursday, April 19, 2007

By KEVIN PARKS

Record Staff Writer

It's those numbers. Larry Corbin just can't get over the difference between the two figures, the vast gulf that exists between nothing and $4-million.

That's the disparity, the Ward 3 Councilman has been insisting for weeks now, in the financial impacts on the city of the proposals for redeveloping the Lumberyard site behind City Hall. On the one hand, the project being envisioned by a joint effort of development and design firms Stonehenge of Gahanna and Bird Houk Collaborative of Dublin would leave the city footing the bill for a $4-million parking garage, in Corbin's view. The concept put forth by the early front-runner for the project, Skilken, would not have cost the city a penny for more parking.

July 3, 200717 yr

From the 7/2/07 Dispatch:

MAP

PHOTO: Diners and clubgoers can see views of several holes from Pinnacle's clubhouse. M/I Homes has already built 200 houses at Pinnacle.

PHOTO: Golfers approach the green on the ninth hole and Pinnacle's clubhouse, which houses Cimi's Bistro and a 450-seat banquet hall. Initiation fees at the club have risen to $6,000 since the first members signed up in September for $2,000. FRED SQUILLANTE DISPATCH PHOTOS

Construction Zone

Grove City club sets lofty goal

Pinnacle Golf Club, less than a year old and already one of the area's most difficult, aims to be tournament-caliber

Monday, July 2, 2007 3:24 AM

By Mike Pramik

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Although Pinnacle Golf Club is less than a year old, developer Joe Ciminello already sees room for improvement. "I want to raise that bunker. You can't see it," Ciminello said as he drove along the third fairway. With a few tweaks here and there, Ciminello hopes to create a tournament-ready course in Grove City. He already might have one of the stiffest golf tests in central Ohio.

More at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/business/stories/2007/07/02/ZONE0702.ART_ART_07-02-07_C8_DH75G88.html

July 14, 200717 yr

Stringtown Rd. in Grove City area is really coming up. I heard Jim Carey is buying a house in one of the subdivisions.

I heard it was Drew Carey. Maybe it's both.

July 14, 200717 yr

Probably. Makes more sense! I just heard it from someone else so who knows. I never thought I'd see mansions going up in Grove City.

January 28, 200817 yr

Creating centers of attention

Suburbs revitalize their old downtowns, or build new ones, as community focal points

Friday, January 25, 2008 - 3:08 AM

By Martin Rozenman, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Gahanna did it. Hilliard is about to do it. Now, Grove City plans to do it. Creating town centers to renovate slumping downtowns is hot among central Ohio suburbs. Some have them (think Westerville and Worthington), and some don't (think Upper Arlington and Whitehall).

Most of the latter wish they did. Picture the 1950s downtown in Back to the Future. The town center is a nostalgic return to the architecture, function and vitality that small towns had before strip centers and malls on their outskirts sucked the life out of Downtown, USA.

December 8, 200816 yr

Condos scrapped in Grove City plan

Housing market changes vision of downtown project

Saturday, December 6, 2008 - 5:19 AM

By Kevin Parks, THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

The collapse of the U.S. housing market could take some of the mix out of the mixed-used development planned for downtown Grove City. The project's design team has dropped plans for a residential component, saying the addition of town house-style condominiums near City Hall no longer makes economic sense. Mo Dioun, president of the Stonehenge Co., told city officials this week that his vision for the lumberyard redevelopment has changed significantly since his company was chosen in January 2006 to spearhead planning for the project.

Dioun said he and his colleagues initially thought that as many as 20 condo units should be included in the 3.25-acre development, along with restaurant and retail space and a 55,000-square-foot public plaza. The plaza, which would contain an amphitheater and water features, remains part of the plan, but the proposed condos have been jettisoned, the developer said.

December 23, 200816 yr

Grove City mayor vows to continue negotiations with library

By KRISTIN CAMPBELL, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS

Published: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 - 2:05 PM EST

Last week, Grove City Mayor Ike Stage publicly discussed his vision for a revamped Town Center -- one that would include a new community center and as many as 60 townhouses peppered throughout the city's historic district. But the idea hinged on library officials agreeing to relocate to the new development behind city hall. But Wednesday, Dec. 10, library officials announced that their board has voted to end talks.

City officials say the idea is workable; they hope to exchange ownership of the library building for ownership of a two-level space one and a half times the size of the current library space. City and library leaders have been in talks for several years about the project.

April 9, 200916 yr

Library won't move to Grove City lumberyard

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 - 6:45 PM

By KEVIN PARKS, ThisWeek Staff Writer

A visibly angry Mayor Richard L. "Ike" Stage decried what he called the death of democracy in Grove City on Monday night after a majority of council members killed the proposed move of the library to the lumberyard project. Stage was upset that an agreement he had brokered with Council President Ted A. Berry on Friday, April 3, to pull consideration of the library relocation from Monday's agenda was not being honored. Berry responded that it would not be right for him to block council from taking a vote if a majority of members wished to do so.

April 22, 200916 yr

With library out of the picture, lumberyard project continues to have backing of Grove City Council

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 4:48 PM

By Kevin Parks, ThisWeek Staff Writer

With the library now out of the picture, Dioun went on to outline the latest iteration of the plans for the project. They include:

• A 290-space parking garage along Front Street that would be erected at city expense. It would cost at least $4.5 million, and possibly as much as $5.25 million, depending upon the exterior finish city officials would desire. "We have no intention of charging for parking," Stage commented.

• Two office and retail buildings along Park Street, one of 66,000 square feet and the other 8,000 square feet. Restaurants, stores, businesses and college classroom space would be among the possible uses for these structures, which would be built and owned by the developer.

• A 3,500-square-foot atrium connecting the parking garage, new buildings and City Hall. It would cost $700,000 in public money and could be used for art displays, ceremonies, receptions and other public purposes. "It will belong to the citizens," Dioun said.

• A one-acre public plaza with landscaping and possible water features intended to be a drawing card for not only local residents but also visitors from throughout the region and beyond.

As far as a timetable was concerned, Dioun said that the parking garage could be completed by this December if work starts in June. Construction on the larger of the two buildings could commence this coming October and be completed in December 2010. Work on the 8,000-square-foot structure could be finished at the same time of work began in April 2010. Finally, Dioun projected that the public plaza would be finished in April 2011, provided work began this September.

April 24, 200916 yr

Grove City lumberyard plan to go public

Project cast as vital urban center

Thursday, April 23, 2009 - 3:15 AM

By Dean Narciso, The Columbus Dispatch

Grove City residents will get their first look tonight at the proposed 3.3-acre Lumberyard project in the heart of town. City officials and developers will discuss the $30 million project during the 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 4035 Broadway, the first of four meetings planned. The city has pledged up to $17 million to build a plaza with water features and a small performance stage. A 290-space parking garage also is proposed. The Stonehenge Co. is proposing about $12 million of retail, restaurant, office and educational elements "to create an urban neighborhood that will be a vital center of Grove City during the evenings and weekends," according to documents filed with the city.

A rendering of the Lumberyard project in Grove City’s

downtown shows the planned plaza with a stage.

Roughly a third of the project would be public gathering space.

July 15, 200915 yr

Council OKs Lumberyard plan despite garage protests

By KRISTIN CAMPBELL, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS

Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 - 1:36 PM EDT

The Lumberyard Project took another step forward Monday, July 6, when Grove City Council members voted to approve the development plan for the parking garage. It looked as though council might delay the vote after three local business people addressed council asking for reconsideration, but the vote proceeded, and the issue passed.

The parking garage will contain more than 200 spaces and will cost $5 million, or $18,000 per space. Resident and downtown property owner Harry Curry petitioned council to consider surface parking instead because it would cost less than one-quarter of what the parking garage estimate shows.

July 17, 200915 yr

LUMBERYARD REDEVELOPMENT

Grove City Council to consider project agreement

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 8:35 PM

By Kevin Parks, ThisWeek Staff Writer

In a summary of the project prepared for council by Linhart, Gahanna-based Stonehenge would serve as construction manager for the development. Stonehenge would purchase from the city two parcels within the project, one for a two-story, 66,000-square-foot building along Park Street and the other of approximately 8,000 square feet off Grove City Road. A parking garage, public plaza with water feature and atrium connecting the Park Street building with City Hall are also part of the overall project.

September 15, 200915 yr

Two recent articles on the Grove City downtown lumberyard redevelopment project.

From the Dispatch: Beulah puts project in limbo: Gambling crowds won't work with retail, residential center, some fear

From Business First: Slots make Grove City rethink lumberyard development

You can link to both sites for the full articles. Yes, even the Business First article, because its a daily story that doesn't require a paid subscription to access. And I would recommend the Business First article over the Dispatch's. Business First is far better with the pertinent development facts than the Dispatch.

Basically, Grove City is reconsidering the make-up of the Lumberyard redevelopment project because the nearby Beulah Park racetrack will getting video slot machines as per the governor's recent decision. Beulah Park is less than a half mile from Grove City's downtown and this redevelopment site. The Grove City mayor and council are uncertain how much Beulah Park might expand to accommodate as many as 2,500 video terminals and how this might affect the redevelopment project. Beulah Park is one of seven horse racing tracks statewide set to run video slots in an attempt to generate millions for the state and shore up a projected state budget deficit.

October 26, 200915 yr

Fix Grove City depot? Not all are onboard

Restoring, moving building estimated to cost $100,000

Monday, October 26, 2009 3:06 AM

By Dean Narciso

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Don Walters wants to restore and move Grove City's train depot, thought to have been built in 1885. The city official hopes to receive federal grant money for the project. In its prime, the little train depot was a hub of excitement in downtown Grove City, with families leaving for vacations, salesmen peddling goods and Columbus commuters discussing the day's news.

More than a century later, however, the building is creaky. Its roof is failing, its timbers are rotting, and its foundation -- built on rail ties -- is sagging. City officials don't want the depot or its memories to fade away.

Full article at http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/10/26/oledepot.ART_ART_10-26-09_B3_PEFFS08.html?sid=101

October 27, 200915 yr

Reading further into the article it looks like they have a much bigger plan for it than I expected. In that case, yes I think they should move it. Though I also wonder if it could be deconstructed and reassembled at the new location with volunteer help. That has been done many times before. Especially with a failing roof and walls that likely fallen out of out of plumb, deconstruction makes even more sense.

November 6, 200915 yr

Agreed.

November 30, 200915 yr

Lumberyard project cost reduced more than 40%

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 1:56 PM

By Miriam L. Segaloff, ThisWeek Contributor

City officials and lumberyard developers took Grove City Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage's directive to trim the city's share of the project's costs to heart and have come back with a reworked plan that shaves more than 40 percent from the bottom line. Spooked by financial uncertainty in the South-Western City Schools, at Beulah Park and in the overall economic climate, Stage had asked city officials to reduce the city's share of the downtown project by $5-million, to a total of $11-million. However, Stage said this week that by eliminating some portions of the project and reducing the scale of others, the cost savings now total about $7-million and reduce the city's share of the project to about $9-million, an approximately 43-percent decrease.

"It's still a go project," Stage told city council members Nov. 16. "The parking garage is iced right now, but it's a go project." By removing the 282-space parking structure, Stage said the city is saving about $4-million. The structure, he said, will be replaced for the time being with surface parking for about 180 vehicles. The additional savings come from eliminating an atrium that would have connected city hall to a new, 66,000-square-foot building and reduced the size of the urban-style park included in the plan.

Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/grovecity/stories/2009/11/18/1119grlumberyard_ln.html?sid=104

February 2, 201015 yr

Council considers planner's advice

Frank Elmer, who designed a revamp for Grove City's downtown in the 1980s, believes residential development is the answer

By Kristin Campbell, Columbus Local News

Published: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 4:45 PM EST

Residential development may be key to saving Grove City's Town Center. At a special council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 26, council members and citizens heard from architect and city planner Frank Elmer. Elmer, of Lincoln Street Studio Ltd., was the man behind the 1980s revitalization of Grove City's downtown. That project is considered to have been a big success, and leaders continue to seek Elmer's advice.

But times have changed. Retail is no longer the driving force in the Town Center, Elmer said. The answer to the survival of the downtown -- and of the city as a whole -- is now dependent upon increasing residential density in the center of the city. He said the key words to keep in mind when setting goals are dense, local and small.

Elmer said Tuesday said that even though the bulk of commerce now is located on the east side of the city, it is essential to save the downtown, which is the seat of city government, safety services and the city's history.

Full article at http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2010/01/28/multiple_papers/news/allgctownc_20100127_0411pm_2.txt

February 7, 201015 yr

Council stops lumberyard project

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 5:59 PM

By Evan Brooks, ThisWeek Staff Writer

Grove City Council on Feb. 1 voted unanimously to terminate business with Gahanna-based Stonehenge Co., the company contracted to design and construct the lumberyard project. The project, which originally was to cost the city $16-million, later was reduced to $9-million. Council's action brings the project to a halt.

The project was city officials' plan to revitalize the town center by creating a shopping and learning destination in the 3.53-acre, triangular parcel behind City Hall. Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage blamed the sluggish economy for the termination of the project.

Full article at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/grovecity/stories/2010/01/27/Grove-City-lumberyard-project.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=104

February 7, 201015 yr

Grove City puts project on shelf

Lumberyard lacked community support

Thursday, February 4, 2010 - 3:14 AM

By Dean Narciso

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

In little more than a year, the promise of Grove City's Lumberyard town-center project has crashed like a redwood in the forest -- slowly but soundly. The multimillion-dollar development, once envisioned as a hub for residences, stores and schools, has been put on hold indefinitely, leaving some hopeful and others uncertain about the project's future.

This week, the City Council terminated its relationship with the project's developer, Gahanna-based Stonehenge, with plans to rethink the effort. The project had been unraveling since late 2008, when designers axed plans to include condominiums in the 3.25-acre development with a 55,000-square-foot public plaza.

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/02/04/LUMBERYARD.ART_ART_02-04-10_A8_BRGG8P5.html

March 6, 201015 yr

<b>Report: Penn National near deal for Beulah Park</b>

Business First of Columbus

Friday, March 5, 2010

<i>The developer of a casino planned for Columbus reportedly is close to a deal to buy Beulah Park and resolve a breach-of-contract lawsuit the Grove City horse track’s owner filed last year.</i>

March 9, 201015 yr

Penn National finalizes deal for Beulah Park

Business First of Columbus - by Jeff Bell

Monday, March 8, 2010, 3:24pm

Penn National Gaming Inc. wants to establish another foothold in the Central Ohio gambling market with the purchase of Beulah Park racetrack in Grove City. The Wyomissing, Pa.-based company said in a statement Monday it plans to buy the history-rich track and expects the acquisition to close in the second quarter, pending approval from the Ohio State Racing Commission. The track is owned by Charles Ruma’s Heartland Jockey Club Ltd.

Penn and Ruma didn’t disclose financial terms of the transaction, but Penn said the deal gives the company another chance to benefit from the possible legalization of video lottery terminals at the state’s horse racing tracks. Gov. Ted Strickland’s plan last year to allow the state’s seven horse tracks to add slot machines was derailed by a court challenge by LetOhioVote.org, a conservative coalition that wants to place the issue on the statewide ballot Nov. 2.

Founded in 1923, Beulah was Ohio’s first thoroughbred racetrack. Today, it employs more than 350 and conducts racing from October to May.

FULL ARTICLE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/03/08/daily5.html

March 16, 201015 yr

Locals hopeful about new Beulah Park era

Penn National's plan for aging racetrack aids Grove City budget

Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 2:51 AM

By Dean Narciso

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Beulah Park is as much a part of Grove City as the city's old train depot or Broadway, the main drag downtown. So when news of a new owner for the horse-racing track hit the streets this week, people stopped to listen. "I think it would be great if they would fix it up," said Kathleen Gereau, a seven-year resident who lives on Broadway. "It would revitalize the downtown and bring up property values."

Penn National Gaming has agreed to purchase the track from owner Charles Ruma and has said it will operate it on a "status quo" basis. The deal is expected to close by June.

But the Pennsylvania company has made clear that fixing up the property would require the addition of video slot machines or another gambling model to supplement horse racing. Ohio voters must first approve in November a proposal to allow slot machines at racetracks. Track officials say that new revenue from an established gambling company can only help a track that has struggled in recent years and whose appearance is far from the showpiece that some envision for it.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/03/13/locals-hopeful-about-new-beulah-park-era.html?sid=101

March 21, 201015 yr

Council OKs town center legislation

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 6:30 PM

By Evan Brooks, ThisWeek Staff Writer

Grove City Council members cast split votes March 15 as they passed two pieces of legislation aimed at revitalizing the town center. Council voted 3-2 to appropriate $75,000 for the downtown business district group Grove City Town Center Inc. and endorsed the concept of a "center of learning" in the town center.

Karen Dover is the GCTC liaison to council. She said the $75,000 would be used for a $1,000 annual membership fee to the Main Street network program and to pay salaries and benefits to create an economic development job position for marketing the town center. Main Street is a national organization that works to revitalize historic downtown business districts.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/grovecity/stories/2010/03/10/Town-center.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=104

March 24, 201015 yr

Former bank home to Grove City museum

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 2:52 AM

By Dean Narciso

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

A drive-up ATM still dispenses cash from the side of the former Huntington National Bank building in downtown Grove City. But inside, the riches are historical and displayed behind glass. A growing collection of furniture, clothing, tools and artifacts fills cabinets, cases and floor space inside the new Welcome Center and Museum, 3378 Park Street.

Grove City bought the building about three years ago for $200,000 after Huntington relocated to Stringtown Road. The value of the property was more than $600,000 at the time, said Don Walters of the city's community and business relations office. Walters said Huntington gave the city a deal because it wanted to be a good corporate citizen.

The city has leased the building to the city's convention and visitors bureau, Southwest Franklin County Historical Society and Grove City Town Center. Other groups sublease and use the building for meetings.

PHOTO OF MUSEUM EXTERIOR

LOCATION MAP

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/03/23/depository-of-history.html?sid=101

April 4, 201015 yr

Stage wants center of learning, Main Street program in town center

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - 1:49 PM

By Evan Brooks, ThisWeek Staff Writer

Grove City Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage said he wants both a Main Street presence and what is known as the center of learning in the town center. Stage said he might veto an ordinance that council passed March 15 by a 3-2 vote. It would give $75,000 to downtown business district organization Grove City Town Center Inc. to join a Main Street program.

The mayor told the Grove City Record last week he "in all likelihood" will veto the ordinance. "But I'm not ready to say 'yes' or 'no,'" Stage added. He has until March 25 to decide. Stage said he might veto the legislation because GCTC members have yet to create a detailed budget to show how they intend to use the city's money. "I'm fully in favor of the Main Street program. That's not an issue," Stage said last week. "It's the mechanics and the details. We have an obligation to the taxpayers to get that detail."

Also, Stage said, the next step in bringing the center of learning to fruition is to issue a request to downtown private property owners for proposals for a location. On March 15, council unanimously passed a resolution to endorse the idea of a center of learning. That idea involves eight, possibly ten, institutions of higher learning holding classes full-time in a building of at least 20,000 square feet in the town center by 2011, according to Stage and his administration.

Full article: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/grovecity/stories/2010/03/24/0324grmain-street_ln.html?sid=104

April 4, 201015 yr

Mayor decides not to veto city grant

Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - 2:57 PM

By EVAN BROOKS, ThisWeek Staff Writer

Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage has decided not to veto an ordinance passed by a Grove City Council split vote to give $75,000 to downtown business district group Grove City Town Center Inc. Stage said after its passage that he likely would veto the legislation because he had not received proper documentation from GCTC telling his administration how the money would be used.

"I was concerned that the GCTC had not passed a resolution accepting the grant funds under the terms of the agreement," Stage said in a statement released March 25 on the deadline of the veto. "I am very pleased the GCTC board has acted on this," he said.

The agreement between the city and GCTC attached with the $75,000 appropriation required that GCTC members create a budget and other planning documents for the city after its passage.

Full article: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/grovecity/stories/2010/03/31/0331grmayor_ln.html?sid=104

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