Proposal would raze Marconi garage to create surface lot

DEVELOPMENT

Amid a shortage of Downtown parking, a surface lot might be better than no parking — at least for the time being.

Nationwide Realty Investors plans to raze a condemned garage at 170 N. Marconi Blvd. that was closed early this summer. In its place, the developer plans a temporary landscaped surface parking lot with about 180 spaces, a steep reduction from the 650 spaces in the garage.

“Our long-term plan is to redevelop the site, but at this point, we do not have a specific development plan or timeline,” said Nationwide Realty Investors spokeswoman Carli Lanfersiek.

The $750,000 project is set to be considered by Columbus’ Downtown Commission on Tuesday.

The commission generally views surface parking lots as a poor use of urban space. However, early this year, it granted a request by property owners the Lewin family to create temporary surface parking near the North Market in anticipation of construction projects at the market and elsewhere in that area.

Nationwide bought the Marconi garage a year ago for $4.3 million. The garage is across the street from American Electric Power’s headquarters, near city of Columbus offices and two blocks from the Scioto riverfront.

At the time of the purchase, a spokeswoman said Nationwide was exploring whether it was feasible to repair the garage, which had been deteriorating for years.

In the meantime, Nationwide is proposing building the temporary lot with porous concrete, which reduces water runoff during rainstorms. Landscaping is planned to enhance the lot’s appearance.