Land owner touts site for center of learning

Wednesday,  March 31, 2010 - 2:57 PM

By EVAN BROOKS, ThisWeek Staff Writer

 

A town center property owner said his property could be ready by this fall as a dedicated location for the city's proposed center of learning.  The center of learning is a concept by Grove City Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage, and approved by city council.  It involves several colleges offering classes full time in the town center.  The center would improve Grove City's image and revitalize the town center, Stage has said.

 

A partnership of eight institutions of higher learning has agreed to the idea.  The mayor and the universities, however, have yet to find a permanent downtown location for classes.  The colleges will offer classes at night this fall in the South-Western Career Academy as a temporary compromise.  Stage wants to find a permanent location for the center of learning by next fall.

 

Gary Curry said last week at least one of his buildings at 3515 or 3531 Grove City Road, also called the old Tosoh buildings, still could serve as a suitable location for the center of learning.  Representatives of the eight institutions set for the center of learning have said they will need about 20,000 square feet.  Curry's building at 3515 Grove City Road is about 20,000 square feet and has about 100 parking spaces.

 

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

New learning center site proposed

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

By DEBBIE GEBOLYS

ThisWeek Contributor

 

One potential home for a downtown center of learning is out of the running and another is building up steam, those closest to the proposed project say.  The center of learning is a concept involving several colleges offering classes full time in the town center.  The center of learning would improve Grove City's image and revitalize the town center, mayor Richard "Ike" Stage has said.

 

The site that looks most hopeful for the construction of a complex is on the northeast corner of downtown along Columbus Street, between the Grove City Library and Broadway.  Greg Laws, owner of G&R Properties in Grove City, presented the proposal this spring to a meeting of Grove City Town Center Inc., a downtown business district organization.  It would involve properties owned by Laws and Schoedinger-Norris Funeral Home, 3920 Broadway.

 

Preliminary plans call for a two-story building on Columbus Street with classrooms on the upper floor and part of the ground floor and shops facing Broadway.  An acre lot behind the funeral home would be developed into parking that would be shared by the learning center and the mortuary, Randy Schoedinger said.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/grovecity/stories/2010/07/28/new-learning-center-site-proposed.html

Town center development rules eased

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

By DEBBIE GEBOLYS

ThisWeek Contributor

 

Town center building owners could have an easier time getting city approvals for changes to their properties after Grove City Council streamlined the process.  Until now, town center properties were subject to stiffer oversight because they are in the city's downtown historic preservation area.

 

At its Aug. 16 meeting, council agreed to empower Mike Boso, the city's chief building official, to approve changes including signs, roofs, awnings, landscaping and building modifications that won't significantly change the property or surrounding area.

 

Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage pushed for the change to encourage redevelopment along the Broadway corridor. Development director Chuck Boso said the old process requires approvals from the planning commission and city council, and could take two months, discouraging owners and merchants.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/grovecity/stories/2010/08/18/town-center-development-rules-eased.html

Casino's arrival could push Beulah out

Friday, January 21, 2011 

By Dan Gearino

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Penn National Gaming might move Beulah Park out of central Ohio if it determines that its planned Columbus casino would take business away from the Grove City horse-racing track.  The Pennsylvania-based company confirmed yesterday that it is considering the move.  Earlier this week, it had declined to comment on rumors that it might sell one of its two tracks: Beulah Park and Raceway Park in Toledo.

 

"Penn National has been open with the (Ohio Racing Commission) over some period of time that they were going to take a look at the economic viability of their two tracks, particularly in light of the fact that both of them are in cities where it is developing casinos," said company spokesman Bob Tenenbaum.

 

Beulah, like many horse-racing tracks, has suffered from a long-term decline in revenue.  Track owners hold out hope that the state will allow slot-machine-like devices, which would draw more patrons and contribute to larger racing purses.  Tenenbaum had no timetable for when Penn would make a decision.  The state racing commission would have to approve the relocation of a track.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2011/01/21/casinos-arrival-could-push-beulah-out.html?sid=101

Penn National trying to close Beulah

Thursday, February 10, 2011 - 2:53 AM

By Dan Gearino, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

The fall-winter racing season might be the last for Ohio's oldest thoroughbred track.  Beulah Park in Grove City would close and its racing license would be moved to Dayton under a plan Penn National Gaming will disclose this morning.

 

The move would hinge on approval by the Ohio State Racing Commission and a court decision to allow video slots at racetracks.  The addition of slots would give the tracks the potential for much greater income than they now receive, given the dwindling interest in live racing.  Penn National is exploring the idea because of concerns that Beulah and Raceway Park in Toledo might compete for business with the company's planned casinos in Columbus and Toledo. 

 

The potential closing could be a mixed blessing for the city.  The track employs 150 workers, and it does draw patrons.  But the size of the audience is so small that it might not be the best use of the 200-plus acres, said Chuck Boso, Grove City director of development.  "We wouldn't want to see a facility that has been in our community for so long close, but it opens up opportunities for redevelopment," he said.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2011/02/10/penn-national-trying-to-close-beulah.html?sid=101

---

 

And confirmation of the above article. 

 

Also from The Dispatch:  Penn National confirms plan to close Beulah Park, Toledo racetracks - New tracks in Dayton, Youngstown areas might not open until 2013, so racing at existing parks would not end right away

The once promising Lumberyard site in downtown Grove City - whose ambitious redevelopment plan got scuttled by the bad economy - is now going to be a "temporary park" until development plans heat up again.

 

Grove City Council votes in favor of temporary park

BY KRISTIN CAMPBELL, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS

Published: Monday, June 13, 2011 - 9:16 AM EDT

 

Grove City will now have its own centrally located park -- at least temporarily.

 

Monday night, city council members voted to spend $80,500 to create a temporary park on the former site of the Grove City lumberyard, located behind City Hall in the Town Center.

 

The cost will pay for three inches of gravel to be removed and replaced with three inches of topsoil, and grass planted.  Trees, additional parking and decorative fencing around the perimeter will come later, to be approved under another piece of legislation.

 

READ MORE: http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2011/06/13/multiple_papers/news/allgccounc_20110613_0901am_10.txt

The once promising Lumberyard site in downtown Grove City - whose ambitious redevelopment plan got scuttled by the bad economy - is now going to be a "temporary park" until development plans heat up again.

Well, not so fast on that temporary park plan.  The mayor of Grove City has not given up on developments plans for the site.

 

Council fails to override mayor's veto

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - 09:22 AM

By LISA AURAND, ThisWeek Community Newspapers

 

Grove City Council on June 20 was one vote shy of overriding a veto of legislation to create a temporary park on the old lumberyard site behind City Hall.  Council members Melissa Albright and Greg Grinch, who both voted against the original ordinance to appropriate $80,500 toward the park's construction, voted against overriding Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage's veto.  Council bylaws say overriding a mayoral veto requires the vote of four of council's five members. 

 

The veto, which was announced June 14, is Stage's first in his current term as mayor.

 

Stage said at the time the decision was related to the timing of the proposed park development.  The city has put out a request for proposals (RFP) from developers for the entire town center.  Developers had until June 16 to submit their plans.  The city could have wasted money on the park if a private developer for the lot and the rest of the town center could be found, he said.

 

READ MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/grovecity/stories/2011/06/22/council-fails-to-override-mayors-veto.html?sid=104

More on those development plans for the lumberyard site in downtown Grove City...

 

Council doesn't overturn mayor's veto, hears out proposal

By KRISTIN CAMPBELL, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS

Published: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - 4:37 PM EDT

 

The battle over a downtown park in Grove City is on hold for now.  While some officials and residents are disappointed, others are looking forward to what could come from the single developer that replied to the city's call for ideas.

 

Concept 1:  The first part of Concept 1 is the creation of new living space on the city-owned lumberyard site behind City Hall.  "It is feasible to develop up to 100 or more rental units on three floors and still incorporate significant attractive and usable green space facing Park Street," the proposal states.

 

Concept 2:  Pizzuti's secondary proposal calls for several city facilities to be combined into a single civic center area.  The existing City Hall building could be expanded to house police and court facilities, the plan shows.  The plan also makes room for the library to move into city-owned facilities.

 

Concept 3: Pizzuti's third concept is similar to Concept 2, but moves the civic complex to the library site and places residential properties where City Hall now stands.

 

READ MORE: http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2011/06/26/grove_city_news/news/gccouncil%20_20110622_1240pm_22.txt

 

These diagrams represent Concept 2, combining many city offices court facilities and police station into a single "Civic Center."

Mount Carmel planning ER-anchored complex in Grove City

Business First - by Matt Burns

Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 3:12pm EDT

 

A year after opening a standalone emergency department in Central Ohio, Mount Carmel Health System Inc. is drawing up plans for a second.

 

The Columbus-based health system said it’s in contract with Mid-America Racing Association to buy 112 acres at Interstate 71 and State Route 665 in Grove City – the site of the former Grovebrook Golf Club – for a new health-care complex.  While details on amenities haven’t been decided, the site will be anchored by a freestanding, 24-hour emergency department similar to Mount Carmel’s year-old Diley Ridge Medical Center in Canal Winchester.

 

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2011/06/28/mount-carmel-planning-er-anchored.html

Grove City wants more productive use for Beulah Park site

Business First - by Jeff Bell

Monday, July 25, 2011, 1:44pm EDT

 

Grove City Development Director Chuck Boso is trying to see a silver lining in the dark cloud hanging over Beulah Park now that Penn National Gaming Inc. is moving forward with its plan to move the horse track to Dayton.

 

The silver lining Boso sees is an opportunity to come up with some ideas that could eventually put Beulah Park’s 213 acres to a more productive use.  A track that once drew 5,000 to 10,000 racing fans a day now is lucky to get 300, he said.  “It is a piece of ground that is tremendously underutilized,” Boso said.  “I think there will be opportunities in economic development and to attract mixed-use development.”

 

Nothing is even close to being firmed up, but the mix could include residential, commercial and industrial development.  Beulah is flanked by housing on its west and southeast sides and several distribution centers to the north along Southwest Boulevard.  “We will start planning that,” Boso said, “and are hopeful the process will include Penn National.”

 

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/07/grove-city-wants-more-productive-use.html?page=all

Grove City wants more productive use for Beulah Park site

Business First - by Jeff Bell

Monday, July 25, 2011, 1:44pm EDT

 

Grove City Development Director Chuck Boso is trying to see a silver lining in the dark cloud hanging over Beulah Park now that Penn National Gaming Inc. is moving forward with its plan to move the horse track to Dayton.

 

The silver lining Boso sees is an opportunity to come up with some ideas that could eventually put Beulah Parks 213 acres to a more productive use.  A track that once drew 5,000 to 10,000 racing fans a day now is lucky to get 300, he said.  It is a piece of ground that is tremendously underutilized, Boso said.  I think there will be opportunities in economic development and to attract mixed-use development.

 

Nothing is even close to being firmed up, but the mix could include residential, commercial and industrial development.  Beulah is flanked by housing on its west and southeast sides and several distribution centers to the north along Southwest Boulevard.  We will start planning that, Boso said, and are hopeful the process will include Penn National.

 

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/07/grove-city-wants-more-productive-use.html?page=all

 

It will probably wind up being yet another warehouse/light industrial site. No complaints about that from me; that's a good fit for the area and those places mean jobs.

More about the battle to put a "temporary park" on the downtown Lumberyard site in Grove City.  Link below to video report and story from NBC4:

 

NBC 4: Neighbors Want Gravel Lot Turned Into Temporary Park

Pizzuti to develop Grove City town center plan

By SARAH SOLE, ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Thursday, September 1, 2011 - 04:42 PM

 

Grove City has authorized Pizzuti Companies' to proceed with a town center redevelopment proposal.  The two entities signed a development agreement, which lets Pizzuti present and implement comprehensive redevelopment for properties throughout the town center.  The city has committed up to $30,000 to engage architectural, engineering and other professional firms to work with Pizzuti.

(. . .)

Pizzuti will analyze 16 areas the city highlighted in the town center as possible redevelopment sites, said city development director Chuck Boso.  Development could be commercial or residential, and a combination of public and private development.

 

READ MORE: http://thisweeknews.com/live/content/grovecity/stories/2011/08/31/grove-city-approves-pizzuti.html?sid=104

More about the Grove City/Pizzuti agreement to proceed with a town center redevelopment plan from Columbus Local News (Grove City Record) and Columbus Business First:

 

COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS:  City, Pizzuti agree to work together on downtown area

 

BUSINESS FIRST:  Grove City gives Pizzuti exclusive on downtown properties

Grove City officials primed for progress

By KRISTIN CAMPBELL, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS

Published: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 - 11:41 AM EST

 

Progress will continue to be the watchword in Grove City in 2012, with city officials pushing forward with projects they say will improve quality of life for residents. ... Among the highlights, Stage said he looks forward to a continued effort to establish the much-debated Center of Learning.  He said that includes finding a home for multiple schools to offer full-day college classes.

 

Another project is what Stage calls the "reboot" of the Town Center revitalization.  Officials have been working for a number of years to redevelop the entire downtown, with a focus on the parcel behind City Hall, where the Grove City lumberyard once stood.  The city has contracted with the Pizzuti Companies to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the city's historic district, and offer a plan for redevelopment.

 

City officials also plan to lend support to senior housing options.  Both in 2010 and 2011, council members passed resolutions in support of affordable senior housing, to be made possible through tax credits from the state government.

 

MORE: http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2012/01/06/grove_city_news/news/gcyip%201-5_20120104_1025am_12.txt

Report about two different Central Ohio hospital systems looking to expand into Grove City from Business First:

 

OhioHealth buys more Grove City land; Mt. Carmel moves ahead on zoning

Grove City will be losing a big part of its history with this week's announcement that Beulah Park will be closing down and its horse racing operations (along with future video lottery terminals) will be relocating to the Youngstown area.  But Grove City looks like it will also be gaining a 215-acre development site close to its downtown.  And according an earlier Business First article about the State of Ohio's authorizing legislation, Grove City may be in line for $3 million in state funds to help redevelop the Beulah Park site.

 

Columbus Dispatch: Beulah Park gets ready to run - Track owners, Kasich agree to relocation plan

 

Business First: Beulah Park move to Youngstown area OK’d by Kasich

 

Earlier article from Business First: Cash payout may ease sting for Grove City if it loses Beulah Park

A couple more Beulah Park relocation updates.  The first is a commentary from WOSU about the redevelopment opportunites for Grove City after Beulah Park closes.  The second is official confirmation that Beulah Park's horse racing operations will be moving to Youngstown after the 2012-2013 season is finished:

 

WOSU: Commentary: End Of Horse Racing Offers Grove City Options

 

Dispatch: Beulah Park on track to have one more season in Grove City

Plans call for library to anchor Town Center's renewal

By Dean Narciso, The Columbus Dispatch

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 - 6:54 AM

 

A new public library would be the catalyst for retail shops, restaurants and as many as 160 apartments in Grove City’s Town Center, a developer told city council members last night. 

 

The plan also could include moving City Hall, currently at 4035 Broadway, to what would be the vacated site of the Southwest Public Library at 3359 Park Street.  The existing City Hall would be converted into a first-floor restaurant with office space above.  Plans submitted by Pizzuti Cos. include relocating the Southwest Public Library to 3957 Broadway, currently the site of a bike shop and other businesses.

 

READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/11/20/plans-call-for-library-to-anchor-renewal.html

City Council approves Pizzuti concept plan

By MARK DUBOVEC, ThisWeek Community News

Sunday, December 30, 2012 - 8:43 PM

 

Grove City Council finished its last meeting of 2012 with a focus on 2013.  Monday, Dec, 17, council unanimously approved a resolution affirming support for the Pizzuti Plan for the redevelopment of the town center.

 

The plan, previously presented by the Pizzuti Cos., calls for the relocation of the Grove City Library from 3359 Park Street to the intersection of Broadway and Grant Avenue, the relocation of City Hall from 4035 Broadway to the current site of the library, renovating the city building commercial office and restaurant uses and constructing four multi-family residential buildings at Broadway and Columbus Street.

 

"This is accepting the concept," Councilwoman Maria Klemack-McGraw said.  Council President Ted Berry added the resolution does not approve any specific purchase or plan.  Pizzuti still has to go through the development process and get approval for details of the plan.

 

READ MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2012/12/19/city-council-approves-pizzuti-concept-plan.html

Beulah Park closing opens up new ideas

By Dean Narciso, The Columbus Dispatch

Monday, September 2, 2013 - 6:20 AM

 

The pounding of hoofs and the scent of hay and manure from Beulah Park’s stables will be gone in April, ending almost a century of thoroughbred racing in Grove City.  The track has been a big part of the city’s identity, employing its residents, attracting a wagering public and helping to fuel its economy.  City leaders recognize the track’s importance but also welcome the opportunity to replace the 213-acre facility with a mix of uses.

(. . .)

Whatever happens, City Manager Charles W. “Chuck” Boso said he wants his administration to play an active role. ... Boso envisions public space for concerts, fireworks and other special events.  North of the track, new streets might connect condominiums, apartments and upscale homes to the existing grid.  West of the property, he sees a network of new roads and bike paths allowing neighborhoods easier access to the Town Center shops along Broadway.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/09/02/racetrack-closing-opens-up-new-ideas.html

While the future of the Beulah Park site is pondered, Grove City officials and the Pizzuti Company are moving forward with plans that would remake the nearby downtown/town center.

 

Columbus Underground: Grove City Town Center Redeveloping with New Apartment Buildings

 

Business First: Grove City downtown in line for apartments in Pizzuti plan – SLIDESHOW

 

The first phase of Grove City's downtown/town center redevelopment is for the Pizzuti Company to build 120 apartments on the former lumberyard site, which is currently a parking lot, behind the existing City Hall building.  As part of the apartment development, Pizzuti would purchase the City Hall building.  Pizzuti would use the ground level of the 23-year-old City Hall at 4035 Broadway for a restaurant, fitness center and apartment leasing office.  The existing city council chambers and some city offices would be moved to make room for the new ground-floor uses.  Some of the city’s administrative offices on the second floor will remain as a commercial tenant until the city finds other offices.

 

The long term plan is for the city to renovate the existing library on Park Street, which is one block south of the existing City Hall, into a new City Hall complex.  This location is also across Park Street from the existing City Services Building.  The existing library would relocate to a new site on Broadway that is being cleared for it.  Below are some the renderings released as part of the redevelopment project:

 

 

 

 

Grove City council OKs Pizzuti apartment plan

By Brian R. Ball, Staff reporter

Business First - Sept. 4, 2013, 11:53am EDT

 

Grove City council has endorsed Pizzuti Cos.’ plans for a commercial redevelopment of City Hall and construction of 120 apartments at 4035 Broadway. ... The council’s 5-0 vote on Wednesday evening clears the way for the city and developer to work out details of a development agreement, including the price Pizzuti will pay for the 3.4-acre parking lot behind City Hall and the building.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2013/09/04/grove-city-council-oks-pizzuti.html

A look ahead at 2014 projects in Grove City: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/01/02/city-expects-dynamic-year-of-growth.html

 

- The opening of a Mount Carmel Health System emergency care facility and medical office building is expected early in 2014;

 

- Demolition work is underway at the future site of the new Grove City Library at Broadway and Grant Avenue as part of Grove City's Town Center makeover.  Ground is expected to be broken later in 2014 on construction of the new library at the site.

 

- Negotiations are still on-going over the other major component of the Town Center makeover:  The repurposing of the City Hall building at 4035 Broadway for restaurant and office space along with the construction of four new, three-story, multifamily buildings on the site that would house 120 apartments.

 

- Another component impacting the Town Center is the future of Beulah Park.  The horse racing track will hold its final races in Spring 2014 and the property is for sale by Penn National.

Mount Carmel takes wraps off new Grove City Medical Center

By MARK DUBOVEC, ThisWeek Community News

Thursday, January 16, 2014 - 2:37 PM

 

The first phase of Mount Carmel Health's Grove City campus is set to soon open to the public.  Mount Carmel Grove City will begin welcoming patients on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at its new 24-hour emergency care facility at 5300 North Meadows Drive, near the new state Route 665-Interstate 71 interchange.

(. . .)

The 37,000 square foot emergency care facility has 15 exam rooms and fast-track bays along with a full lab that offers magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI), CT and ultrasound scanning and X-rays.  It will have a full-time staff of between 65 to 75.

(. . .)

Still under construction is the adjacent 54,000 square foot medical office building, which is projected to completed sometime this spring.  That building will house the offices of primary care and specialist physicians as well as outpatient services such as physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation.  The hospital group has a total of 110 acres at the Route 605-Interstate 71 site and plenty of room for expansion.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/01/14/mount-carmel-takes-wraps-off-new-grove-city-medical-center.html

 

City seeks residents' views on future of Beulah

By MARK DUBOVEC, ThisWeek Community News

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - 9:51 PM

 

Grove City officials expect future redevelopment of Beulah Park likely will contain a mix of uses, including residential, commercial and civic to attract a variety of residents and businesses.

 

In an informal meeting held after the regular City Council meeting Feb. 3, officials discussed potential goals, concepts and ideas for Beulah Park after owner Penn National Gaming Inc. relocates its racing license to Youngstown later this year.  Racing at the 91-year-old local thoroughbred racetrack will end on Derby Day, May 3.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/02/11/city-seeks-residents-views-on-future-of-beulah.html

More about the future of Beulah Park ...

 

Boso: Some commerce needed at new Beulah

By MARK DUBOVEC, ThisWeek Community News

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - 11:31 AM

 

Grove City Council might not want to see warehouses at Beulah Park, but the city administration warns some commercial development will be necessary, to generate the new revenue the city does want to see from Beulah in the future.

 

At the end of its regular meeting Feb. 18, council members discussed what they want and don't want to see from the future redevelopment of the 200-plus acres comprising Beulah Park.  The racetrack is being relocated by its owners, with its last race set for May 3.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/02/25/boso-some-commercial-needed-at-new-beulah.html

 

More about Grove City's downtown redevelopment effort.  In the musical chairs approach that Grove City is taking for this redevelopment effort - the existing library moves to a new downtown location -- the existing library becomes the new City Hall --- and then the existing city hall and parking lot behind it becomes a new apartment development (more about that in this post).  From the above article at http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/02/25/boso-some-commercial-needed-at-new-beulah.html - City Council approved funding for construction of the new library:

 

Library money OK'd

"In other action Feb. 18, council voted unanimously vote to appropriate $2.5 million for the Grove City Library project.  As part of its agreement with Southwest Public Libraries last year, the city is buying the current library site, 3359 Park St., for $2.5 million, with that money being applied to the library's $4.5 million obligation for the project." ... "According to the approved ordinance, appropriating this money enables the project to move forward, including the hiring of an architect and construction management firm.  Boso said negotiations for an architect are proceeding through the process under state law, adding that the selected firm is anticipated to be announced later this week."

Grove City will buy 1840s home for tourism site

By Earl Rinehart, The Columbus Dispatch

Tuesday, March 18, 2014 - 5:57 AM

 

Grove City will spend $360,000 to buy an 1840s-era house that officials hope will help build the city’s future as a tourist destination.  After discussing some concerns, all four city council members present voted last night in favor of buying Ruth V. Jividen’s home at 4126 Haughn Road - said to be the oldest in the city.

 

Mayor Richard “Ike” Stage wants to turn the two-story brick house, also known as the A.G. Grant Homestead, into a museum.  It would be another historical site in the city to join Century Village and the Gantz homestead, he said.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/03/18/grove-city-will-buy-1840s-house-for-tourism-site.html

ThisWeekNews has more about Grove City buying a 1840's house within the city as a future tourist destination.  Below is a photo of the A.G Grant homestead property and a link to the story:

 

 

ThisWeekNews: Council OKs deal for Grant home site - Already on the National Register of Historic Places, the house is believed to be the oldest in Grove City

More about the future of Beulah Park.  According to the below linked report from the Columbus Dispatch, the horse race track's owner - Penn National - is in negotations with Columbus developer Continental Real Estate Companies to buy and develop the 213-acre site.  According to the Dispatch report, Continental founder and chairman Frank Kass said, "We feel we've reached an agreement, but there's no contractual agreement yet."

 

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2014/03/20/developer-near-beulah-park-deal.html

 

Beulah Park will hold its final day of thoroughbred racing on May 3, 2014 and then close permanently.  Beulah Park's racing license will then be transferred to Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley - which is also owned by Penn National - which is scheduled to open as a racino in Fall 2014.

More about Grove City's downtown redevelopment effort.  In the musical chairs approach that Grove City is taking for this redevelopment effort - the existing library moves to a new downtown location -- the existing library becomes the new City Hall --- and then the existing city hall and parking lot behind it becomes a new apartment development (more about that in this post).  From the above article at http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/02/25/boso-some-commercial-needed-at-new-beulah.html - City Council approved funding for construction of the new library:

 

The musical chairs approach described above might have hit a snag.  The Grove City's City Council favors a modification to the existing offset Columbus Street-to-Mill Street intersection at Broadway.  This modification would impact the library site such that the proposed new library building would need to be redesigned.  Because of this, the Southwest Public Libraries board is considering whether to walk away from the project.

 

Here's the news recap from the past month, starting with the August 4 City Council meeting when the intersection issue was first publicly discussed:

 

GROVE CITY LIBRARY PROJECT

City Council majority backs Columbus St. extension plan

By Mark Dubovec, This Week Community News

Wednesday August 6, 2014 - 9:33 AM

 

A city study does not recommend tying Columbus Street into Mill Street through the proposed new Grove City Library site, but a majority of Grove City Council still favors the extension.  It was standing room only in Grove City Council Chambers Monday evening, Aug. 4, as representatives of the Pizzuti Cos., Braun & Steidl Architects and other firms discussed the findings of a study to determine the feasibility of extending Columbus Street through the previously decided site of a new Grove City Library, at the intersection of Broadway and Grant Street as a "retail impact analysis" to see how much land could be opened up for future development on back parcels.

 

While the consultants who conducted the study recommend modifying the original library plan to improve access and parking and help promote development in adjacent parcels, they did not recommend extending Columbus Street.  Jennifer Son of Braun & Steidl said an extension would diminish the library's frontage on Broadway.  The frontage on Broadway, she said, is critical to an urban development plan to make it attractive for pedestrians. "It's an opportunity you don't want to diminish," Son said.

 

DiSalvo Development Advisors, a real estate market research analysis firm, found that, "The placement of the library in the Town Center has far greater impact on retail opportunities than the proposed extension," although the firm's findings noted the access and currently proposed orientation of the library does not optimize economic development opportunities. ... The firm E.P. Ferris and Associates, which conducted a traffic study of the proposal, concluded there was no "significant advantage" from a traffic standpoint to relocate Mill Street to align with Columbus Street.  "We recommend that Mill Street be retained at its existing location and signalized with Columbus Street," according to E.P. Ferris' report.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/08/05/grove-city-library-project-city-council-majority-backs-columbus-st--extension-plan.html

Below is a view of the existing offset Columbus Street to Mill Street intersection.

- The view is from the Mill Street Market looking eastward past Broadway toward

Columbus Street.  The library site is to the right in this photo.

 

To complicate matters even further, this Columbus-to-Mill intersection issue doesn't only affect the library project.  The intersection extension is also an issue between two developers vying to redevelop Beulah Park:

 

Extension comes down to dueling developers

Joe Ciminello wants high-end housing; Frank Kass won't reveal plans but says expensive housing won't work

By Mark Dubovec, This Week Community News

Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 3:21 PM

 

The future of Beulah Park has become a contrast between two developers, but the one with the option to buy the property might not wait around for City Council to decide which option it prefers.  Continental Real Estate Cos. is in contract to purchase Beulah Park from Penn National Gaming and redevelop the 213-acre site.  "We had a plan that we were ready to submit," said Continental Founder and Chairman Frank Kass said.  "What's going on right now doesn't make it possible to submit any plans."

 

On Aug. 4, Council President Ted Berry, Councilwoman Maria Klemack-McGraw and Councilman Steve Bennett said they favored a plan that would extend Columbus Street through part of the parcel set aside for the new Grove City Library and to tie it into Mill Street.  The extension idea was presented earlier this year by Joe Ciminello, owner of Ciminello Inc., which developed the Pinnacle Golf Club and housing development, as part of a redevelopment vision for Beulah Park.

 

That vision, as Ciminello highlighted in a public meeting at the Grove City Masonic Lodge July 31, emphasizes connectivity between Beulah and the Town Center.  "We think the intersection of Columbus Street should be aligned on both sides and eliminate the offset of Mill Street," Ciminello said. ... The discussion about an extension has delayed Continental's plans, and the company could drop the project rather than spend money on it if council decides to go with another plan that impacts Beulah, Kass said.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/08/12/extension-comes-down-to-dueling-developers.html

Library officials like no-extension plan

By Mark Dubovec, This Week Community News

Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 3:20 PM

 

The debate whether to extend Columbus Street through the proposed site of the new Grove City library remains ongoing, but library staff and officials are happy with the design they have -- without the extension.

 

Southwest Public Libraries hosted an open house Thursday, Aug. 7 at the Grove City Library to show current conceptual drawings and plans for a new two-story, 48,000 square foot Grove City Library, to be built at the corner of Grant Street and Broadway in the Town Center.  Library Director Mark Shaw and other staff members were on hand to discuss the plan with patrons and answer questions.

 

The plan, a schematic design prepared by project architect Braun & Steidl Architects, presented at the open house does not include an extension of Columbus Street through the parcel.  If an extension of Columbus Street goes through, this existing plan would have to be scrapped, said Lore Lehr, Youth Services/Outreach Librarian.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/08/12/library-officials-like-no-extension-plan.html

However, the Columbus-to-Mill intersection realignment did get approved by City Council.  Although the approved plan did finesse realignment to lessen the Broadway frontage lost to the library site.  See the below graphic of the approved plan:

 

 

City Council approves extension

By Mark Dubovec, This Week Community News

Friday, August 22, 2014 - 10:26 AM

 

Grove City Council voted 4-1 Monday night, Aug. 18, to extend Columbus Street northwest of Broadway, along the edge of the site where a new Grove City Library branch has been planned.  The vote came despite several residents in the crowd of almost 100 speaking against the plan, and pointing out it ignores recommendations of the city's just-completed $30,000 study.

 

Grove City Administrator Chuck Boso presented the amended extension plan, designed to limit the impact on the library site, at a meeting of the Southwest Public Libraries Board of Trustees Aug. 12.  Previous proposals for an extension called for extending Columbus Street straight across Broadway and then bending into Mill Street, a plan that would have greatly reduced the new library's frontage on Broadway, which library trustees criticized.  Under the plan approved Monday, the library would lose 5 feet of frontage on Broadway.

 

Other elements of the new concept included adding 91 parking spaces directly behind the library site, as well as an additional 78 parking spaces behind the shops along Broadway.  Thirty-three parking spaces also would be added behind the Mill Street Market.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/08/19/road-near-proposed-library-site-city-council-approves-extension.html

Which leaves the proposed library plans in limbo for now:

 

Library board wary as decision on Grove City building looms

By Earl Rinehart, The Columbus Dispatch

Thursday, August 21, 2014 - 7:17 AM

 

The Southwest Public Libraries board will decide at its Sept. 9 meeting whether to build a new library in downtown Grove City or walk away from the project.  “At that point, we’re going to have to make a decision, either to go with it or not,” Trustee Patricia Moncman said at the board’s special meeting on Tuesday.

 

The library district and the city are sharing the cost of the project at Broadway and Grant Avenue, which is expected to cost at least $17 million.  The city’s goal is to keep the building at 45,000 square feet, Mayor Richard “Ike” Stage said at the meeting.

 

The latest realignment proposal differs only slightly from an earlier one presented to the library board.  The latest proposal realigns Columbus Street so that it crosses Broadway and terminates in a library parking lot.  An exhibit also shows Columbus Street possibly extending even farther to link with Beulah Park, the former thoroughbred racetrack marked for redevelopment.

 

City Administrator Chuck Boso said the cost of realigning and extending Columbus Street to the library is in the ballpark of $700,000.  However, the city already was figuring to pay much of that by upgrading Mill Street, which Columbus would now replace, and reworking traffic signals and burying utility lines at the site.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/08/21/library-board-wary-as-decision-on-grove-city-building-looms.html

And the development drama continues...

 

FATE OF BEULAH DEBATE

Continental pulls out, Ciminello still in mix

By Earl Rinehart, The Columbus Dispatch

Wednesday August 27, 2014 - 9:40 AM

 

Penn National Gaming's plan to sell Beulah Park in Grove City to Continental Real Estate collapsed last week after Continental pulled out of the deal.  Jonathan Kass, president of development for Continental, said Monday, Aug. 25, the company chose not to begin making monthly, nonrefundable deposits with Penn National.  "Our contract expired according to its terms," Kass said.

 

Continental Chairman Frank Kass said earlier this month that his company was set to begin making payments to Penn Gaming as it moved through the development process, but with a majority of council showing more interest in another plan, Continental sent Penn a registered letter asking that the contract be revised.

 

Frank Kass also said his company might end the arrangement after reading that Grove City Council President Ted Berry, Councilwoman Maria Klemack-McGraw and Councilman Steve Bennett favored a plan from developer Joe Ciminello that includes a connector road to link Beulah Park with downtown.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/08/26/fate-of-beulah-debate-continental-pulls-out-ciminello-still-in-mix.html

How about a third proposal for the Grove City Library?  This one came from Tuesday's City Council meeting and would move the library to behind the current City Hall location, keep City Hall there, lose the apartment development behind City Hall, put private development at the former Broadway site and the existing Park Street library site (which was to become the new City Hall) would become ... well they haven't quite worked that out yet.

 

Confused?  The City Council of Grove City sure is:  http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/09/03/third-location-proposed-for-grove-city-library.html

 

But why stop at three library proposals when you can have four:  http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/09/02/if-library-wants-to-stay-put-city-still-could-help.html

It looks like the Great Grove City Library Debate of 2014 might finally be over!  Below is an article excerpt about this and a diagram of the (hopefully) final plan to place a new library on Broadway that was approved by the library board with the new road configurations previously approved by Grove City's City Council:

 

 

Grove City library plan approved

By Earl Rinehart, The Columbus Dispatch

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 8:33 AM

 

Almost two years after it was first drawn, the design for the new Grove City library branch got a unanimous OK tonight from a library board that was relieved, but also vowed to remain wary of any more delays.

 

The Southwest Public Libraries trustees signed off on the latest tweaking of the design, which has undergone several reworkings since the downtown library site on Broadway was selected in December 2012.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/10/15/grove-city-library-plan-approved.html and http://ohianews.com/grove-city-library-plan-approved/

ThisWeekNews takes a look back at the 2014 development issues in Grove City and looks ahead to the developments projects planned for 2015 (at the two full article links below):

 

2014: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/12/16/fits-starts-of-growth-and-change-marked-year.html

 

2015: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2014/12/29/town-center-projects-parks-improvements-planned-in-new-year.html

Beulah Park development plan heavy on housing

By Earl Rinehart, The Columbus Dispatch

Saturday, February 21, 2015 - 5:58 AM

 

Joe Ciminello has a chance to prove that his vision for Beulah Park can become reality after signing on as the new developer of the former thoroughbred racetrack in Grove City.  Penn National Gaming, which closed the track in May, said Ciminello took out an option on Beulah two weeks ago; it said terms of the deal were confidential.

 

Ciminello’s plan is heavy on single-family housing, along with open space and other amenities.  “No warehouses,” he said, referring to a focus of the previous developer, Continental Real Estate Cos.

( . . . )

“It’s a positive step,” City Manager Chuck Boso said of Ciminello’s involvement.  “Joe has developed one of the premier attractions in Pinnacle (Golf Club, also in Grove City).”  In addition to the 700-acre Pinnacle and its 1,600 housing units, Ciminello developed the Reserve at New Albany and New Albany Links Golf Club and is involved in the new outlet mall in Delaware County.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/02/21/beulah-park-plan-heavy-on-housing.html

 

ThisWeekNews had more on Ciminello's redevelopment plan for Beulah Park.  The site plan at the bottom has more detail than the more general one (above) in the Dispatch:

 

Ciminello's Beulah plan features housing, park

BY MARK DUBOVEC, THIS WEEK COMMUNITY NEWS

Wednesday, February 25, 2015 - 3:48 PM

 

In a public meeting Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Grove City Hall, Joe Ciminello, whose company Ciminello Inc. has an option to purchase Beulah Park, unveiled his plans for the 213-acre former thoroughbred track and park.  Ciminello's plan, based around an extension of Columbus Street, includes:

 

• 450 attached multifamily and "empty nester" units on 26 acres;

• 120 detached empty nester units on 20 acres;

• 275 single-family homes on 81 acres;

• 12 acres for future commercial/office space;

• A stage and museum at the old Beulah Park starting gate;

• Memorial gardens, pond and fishing beach and pier, and 78 acres of open park space to host community celebrations.

• There's also room for a Grove City Community Center but no warehouses or retail.

 

The plan also includes extensions of Cleveland Avenue, Grant Avenue and Park Street plus entrances off Demorest Road and Southwest Boulevard.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2015/02/24/ciminellos-beulah-plan-features-housing-park.html

 

Meanwhile, the new Grove City downtown library (which was delayed because of the previous fight over which developer would get to redevelop Beulah Park) looks like its back on track.  Below is a rendering of the preliminary design.  This is a view from Broadway (Grove City's main downtown street).  Grant Street is to the left and the Columbus Street extension is to the right:

 

 

Council supports design concept for new library

BY MARK DUBOVEC, THIS WEEK COMMUNITY NEWS

Wednesday, February 25, 2015 - 3:38 PM

 

The developers of the new Grove City Library were looking for guidance from the city, and they got it.  Following a presentation from HBM Architects at the end of its meeting Feb. 17, Grove City Council voted 4-1 to pass a motion supporting the concept for the library's exterior under development by the design team.

( . . . )

City Administrator Chuck Boso said the design team, which includes HBM and Braun & Steidl Architects, needed a vote of guidance on the direction of the two-story, 48,000-square-foot building, to be built at the intersection of Broadway and Grant Avenue in the Town Center.  "At some point, we have to say, 'Yes, we're there,'" Boso said. "We need to start making decisions."

 

The exterior concept for the new library, a joint project between the city and Southwest Public Libraries, parallels the changing role of libraries from traditional services to community gathering areas, said Dan Meehan, principal of HBM.  The northern side of the library near Columbus Street, Meehan said, has a more traditional, civic look.  Closer to Grant, the building has more of a "community living room" feel with elements of a pocket park and a strong connection to the streetscape on Broadway, he said. ... The project remains in the schematic design phase, so the final look of the building has not been approved, and Meehan said the plan is still evolving.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2015/02/24/council-supports-design-concept-for-new-library.html

Mount Carmel Health System made official yesterday what had been rumored for this past year:  They will end inpatient services at their existing Mount Carmel West hospital in Franklinton and move them to a new hospital to be built in Grove City.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2015/03/12/700m-plan-mount-carmel-west-inpatient-services.html

 

Mount Carmel Grove City: A $355 million project to build a 500,000 sq. ft., 210-room hospital at the site of an emergency room and medical office building built by Mount Carmel in 2014.  A second 120,000 sq. ft. medical office building focusing on outpatient services would also be built.  1,500 jobs are scheduled to be transfered from the Franklinton campus to the Grove City campus.  Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

 

 

 

Council OKs preliminary Beulah plan

BY MARK DUBOVEC, THIS WEEK COMMUNITY NEWS

Wednesday, April 8, 2015 - 9:49 AM

 

Grove City Council has endorsed a developer's concept for the redevelopment of Beulah Park.  On Monday, April 6, council by a vote of 4-0 approved a preliminary development plan identifying a future mix of single- and multi-family housing, public space, recreational use and some commercial-office development at the 213-acre site.

( . . . )

The housing-heavy plan includes 450 attached multi-family and "empty nester" units on 26 acres, 120 detached empty nester units on 20 acres and 275 single-family homes on 81 acres.  Other features include 78 acres of open space for events, and 12 acres for commercial/office and memorial gardens.  There's also room for a Grove City community center, which would have to be separately planned and financed by the city.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2015/04/07/council-oks-preliminary-beulah-plan.html

Lumberyard apartments plan up for rezoning vote

BY MARK DUBOVEC, THIS WEEK COMMUNITY NEWS

Wednesday, April 8, 2015 - 9:47 AM

 

The redevelopment process for the Town Center continues.  On April 20, the Grove City Planning Commission will hold a special meeting, and on its agenda is a rezoning proposal for the Grove City Town Center Apartments.

 

The plan, previously presented by the Pizzuti Cos. as part of its Town Center redevelopment plan, calls for 120 apartments in four two-story buildings in the vacant former lumberyard behind City Hall, 4035 Broadway.  The plan requires the site be rezoned from Retail Commercial to PUD-Residential.

 

While the concept and number of units for the project remains mostly the same, the architecture has undergone a shift, said Pizzuti Vice President and COO Jim Russell.  "We're starting to fine-tune," Russell said. "We've been going through a redesign that we'll be presenting soon."

 

The new look is more traditional and in line with what's established in the Town Center and is based on feedback Pizzuti has received, Russell said.  The buildings have more brick, the roof design matches similar concepts already in the Town Center and the interior green space and amenities have been shifted around.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2015/04/07/lumberyard-apartments-plan-up-for-rezoning-vote.html

 

Final development plan for library submitted

BY MARK DUBOVEC, THIS WEEK COMMUNITY NEWS

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 - 9:59 AM

 

The Grove City Library project has one more hurdle to pass before it's ready to go.  The development team for the new Grove City Library, which includes the Pizzuti Cos. and HBM Architects, formally submitted a proposed final development plan to the city Monday, April 13.

 

The plan is to be considered by the Grove City Planning Commission in a special meeting scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.  The commission will make a recommendation to City Council, and the plan will be before Grove City Council at its regular meeting May 4.  If the plan is approved by council, construction is expected to begin in June.

( . . . )

In a special joint meeting April 7, representatives from the development team discussed the most recent version of the plan with members of City Council, the Planning Commission and the SPL Board of Trustees.  "We've looked at numerous configurations," said Kevin Kennedy of HBM Architects. "We've settled on this one."

 

The new library, to be built at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Broadway, is a 48,000-square-foot, two-story building with two entrances, one fronting Broadway and the other on the opposite side, from its parking lot.  Half the facade of the building's Broadway-facing side is curved and bent to give it a "soft edge" and not hard angles, Kennedy said.  The Broadway entrance also has a prominent glass feature above, creating what Kennedy said is a " 'wow' kind of space."

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2015/04/14/final-development-plan-for-library-submitted.html