Market tower requires approval
Steve Schoeny, director of development for Columbus, and North Market Executive Director Rick Wolfe’s main objective in the redevelopment of the market is to honor Mayor Andrew J. Ginther’s wishes and promote a characterless and unsuitable 35-story glass tower that sits in the center of an historic district. Everyone, including The Dispatch, seem to be falling over each other while trying to one-up the next guy while praising this proposed high-rise gated palace for the rich that promises to bring stability for years to come for this proposed upscale eatery and event space facility.
The North Market Development Authority claims in its mission statement that it “is a true public market” and that “it attracts and engages a cross-section of the community.” This definition was true years ago but such representation of the community has dwindled inside its doors for some time now. And this new high rise with all the bells and whistles it claims to bring will increase further exclusion of that cross-section of the Columbus community.
And besides the well-to-do who will be the primary clientele of this so called public market, let’s be honest: This beanstalk-looking shiny spectacle is heavily concentrated on attracting tourism and conventioneers.
And let’s not forget yet another sweetheart heart deal for big campaign contributors to city council members: the Wood/Schiff development team. It has become the poster child of tax abatement-recipient developers in this part of town for recently receiving nearly $10 million in tax abatements, and will score on developing another public parking lot. And it will most likely take away the big prize of a 15-year, 100 percent tax abatement. And it will elevate property taxes for those with less means who cannot afford such increases. And all the while, millions of taxpayers’ dollars continue to fund infrastructure improvements for this and other DowntownShort North projects while neighborhoods continue to wait year after year for basics such as sidewalks, street lighting, storm water upgrades to prevent flooding of their homes and alley resurfacing.
Schoeny said that “the North Market is officially Downtown, not controlled by the Victorian Village Commission.” Officially, however, the North Market and its parking lot sits in the North Market Historic District and falls under the jurisdiction of the Columbus Historic Resources Commission’s architectural review board. According to city code, this project needs to be approved by the HRC and receive a “certificate of appropriateness.” Schoeny’s claim that “You will not see the tower come down 10 stories, you have to go tall” sounds as if he is circumventing the commission’s authority and duty to review this proposal and allow for true public input.
There has yet to be any mention in the media of the Historic Resources Commission’s involvement and required approval in order for this project to move forward. Height is in fact an issue, and he knows it.
Joe Motil Former vice-chairman Columbus Historic Resources Commission
Mic Gordon 2017 president Columbus Association of Realtors Columbus