South of Main Blockwatch

SOMB Wants Design Charette

We Want to be part of process

Open letter to members of the Near East Side Community,

The Salvation Army has broken ground for a new facility on Main Street to be located between the 12th Precinct at 950 E. Main, and the Columbus Compact at 1000 E. Main. Prior to that, the Salvation Army was located at 1179 E. Main (the old Presse Pharmacy). The move from one side of Main Street to the other involved in various phases the public taxpayer. All of the following expenditures received by the Salvation Army were totally financed with public tax dollars:

$400,000 - from Investment Community Enterprise (ICE) to pay the mortgage on 1179 E. Main.

$500,000 - from the Columbus Compact a federally funded organization for the purchase of 1179 E. Main Street.

$500,000 - construction grant from the Columbus Compact for the new build on North side of Main Street.

$100,000 - from Emergency Human Services Fund to pay Moody-Nolan for design of new build.

Total $1,400,000 in public dollars.

The purpose of this letter is not to debate what the Salvation Army received but to ask what do we as taxpayers receive in return for our investment. The premise for moving the Salvation Army was that 1179 was prime commercial property. All right then, so what do we get.

In a similar situation when the City purchased Northland Mall shortly thereafter an assembly of planners, architects, and community representatives was created to determine the highest and best use of the land. No such thing has occurred with 1179. Letters from our organization to the Department of Development in concern for how this property and surrounding area would be developed have been ignored.

We, the members of the South of Main Blockwatch, are requesting your support in requiring the creation of a micro development plan for a pedestrian friendly commercial strip on Main Street from Ohio Avenue to Linwood (includes 1179 E. Main and the historic Camel Bell). This would be the next logical step after the revision of the Near East Area Plan and would include a multiplicity of activities such as community forums, design charrettes, art competitions. The Plan calls for commercial development on the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization areas (NCR), however, businesses will locate where they think they’ll be successful. If we want them on NCR’s, then we have to work diligently to make those areas business friendly.

The issue is that unlike other areas, we haven’t even been given an opportunity. It’s not fair to spend our money and then proceed as if we have no say in the matter. After all, this country was built on public debate.

Please pass this information on to all interested parties.

We want Joel Teaford to Lead Effort

Mark Barbash
Director of Development
City of Columbus
50 W. Gay Street
Columbus, Oh 43215


Director Barbash,

I am writing in follow up to the inquiries that Walter Chapplear and I presented before Columbus City Council on Monday, March 6, 2006 and to the conversation we had with you after Council adjourned.

For clarity, the community charette is not specifically for 1179 E. Main Street but for a five-block radius on Main Street that includes 1179 E. Main. This area includes the historic Camel Bell as well.

We would like to have Joel Teaford, Executive Director of the Neighborhood Design Center lead the charge for the effort to develop a micro development plan for the South Side of Main Street between Ohio and Linwood. Joel’s reputation and accomplishments precede him. We would like the community portion of this activity to take place in the large meeting room at the Central Community House at 1150 E. Main. It has more than adequate parking and is conveniently located in the area which is to be addressed.

We, the members of the South of Main Blockwatch (SOMB) look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sincerely yours,



Kathleen Bailey
President SOMB


CC: The Honorable Matthew Habash
The Honorable Michael C. Mentel
The Honorable Kevin Boyce
The Honorable Patsy Thomas
The Honorable Charleta Tavares
The Honorable Mary Ellen O’Shaughnessy
The Honorable Mary Jo Hudson
Vincent Papsidero, Department of Development
Mark Dravillis, Department of Development
Randy Black, Historic Preservation
Joel Teaford, Columbus Neighborhood Design Center
Near East Area Commission

Contact Mark Barbash, Council Members

You can contact Director Barbash with your comments at 645-8585

City Council Members at 645-7380