South of Main Blockwatch

Main Street Micro Development Plan

Main Street Development

South of Main Blockwatch
489 Linwood Avenue
Columbus, Oh 43205
February 24, 2006


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.


Sincerely yours,


Kathleen Bailey
President SOMB

Please contact your Council Members:
Matthew D. Habash
Council President
Legislative Aide: Todd Dieffenderfer
Email: tfdieffenderfer@columbus.gov 645-8564

Michael C. Mentel
Council President Pro-Tem
Legislative Aide: Gregory J. Lestini
Email: gjlestini@columbus.gov 645-8558

Kevin L. Boyce
Contact: Kym J. Nelson
Email: yjnelson@columbus.gov 645-0852


Mary Jo Hudson
Legislative Aide: Kevin Tyler
Email: kctyler@columbus.gov 645-7390


MaryEllen O’Shaughnessy
Legislative Aide: Lelia Cady
Email: lecady@columbus.gov 645-8509



Charleta Tavares
Legislative Aide: Bo Chilton
Email: rechilton@columbus.gov 645-8580

Patsy Thomas
Legislative Aide: Kathy Owens
Email: kaowens@columbus.gov 645-8559








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
Mark Barbash, Director of Development
Vincent Papsidero, Department of Development
Mark Dravillis, Department of Development
Randy Black, Historic Preservation
Joel Teaford, Columbus Neighborhood Design Center
Near East Area Commission
Members, South of Main Blockwatch
Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association
Franklin Park Area Association
Walter Cates, Main Street Business Association
John Beard, Columbus Compact