Businesses hurting in Short North

I thank The Dispatch for highlighting the irony of the city continuing to subsidize Short North development (“Tax break has dubious dividend,” Thursday Dispatch editorial). So far, only loans have been offered to help area small-business owners, not grants, subsidies or the multi-year tax abatements that developers enjoy.

For many years, an eclectic mix of art gallery, restaurant and shop owners have worked tirelessly to build their businesses in this quirky Columbus community. These businesses grew by attracting a wide variety of Central Ohio residents, Downtown workers, and convention traffic as well as regional and national visitors. With Ohio State University nearby, thousands of students, parents, faculty and staff also helped make the area vibrant on its own.

The current uncontrolled development boom has made the area much less attractive to many visitors. Barricades, bagged parking meters, street and sidewalk closures, noise, dirt, mud and flooded basements have driven away customers and some businesses. Many meters and loading zones are blocked for now, making it difficult to load and unload large items. Most surface lots are under construction. Parking garages are being built on some sites; but when will they be available, and how safe and convenient will they be? Hopefully customers will adapt to these new garages.

A major anchor is lost with the recent move of the Grandview Mercantile. Flower Child will also be moving soon. What will replace these destinations? Offices, fast-food and chain stores are not suitable replacements for these oneof-a-kind destinations.

For the next two years, N. High Street businesses will also be affected by a city project called Streetscape Improvements. The city will spend millions to replace sidewalks, bury overhead power lines, upgrade streetlights, trees and traffic signals. How many small businesses will survive two more years of construction? Without support, only time will tell.

Thanks for questioning the wisdom of the current city direction for the Short North Arts District. Let’s stop the abatements, subsidies and parking variances, and find new ways to help small businesses through this lengthy development process. It is in the best interest of the city, developers and landlords to help area small businesses thrive. Customers can help too — be tenacious and come support your local merchants in spite of the obstacles. The Lamp Shade Columbus dubious dividend”) really needs some paraphrasing, allow me to submit mine.

“It’s hard to make a case that the owner of a $52,000 home on the South Side who pays his property taxes should subsidize”:

….a sports team which is patronized by such a small percentage of citizens.

….any privately owned commercial project.

... anything other than the legitimate operations of government.

Instead, let us lower taxes (subsidize) for all and allow private pockets to determine which ventures are worthy of support.