Officials report progress on biz developments

Amherst officials say they see progress on some economic development efforts in the area.

Bid packets are available for the Community Investment Corporation property at Tenney Avenue and Church Street in Amherst.

Submitting the bid packets costs $200 at the Main Street Amherst building at 255 Park Ave. in Amherst, said Amherst City Council President John Dietrich.

The opportunity is being advertised all over Ohio and New York, among other places, Dietrich said.

“(Teresa Gilles) is getting calls from brokers who want to broker the property, so it’s moving along, which is good,” he said. “And there are locals who want to be part of it.”

Executive director of Main Street Amherst, Gilles said one packet has been requested, but none submitted for the Investment Corporation. The deadline for submission is Jan. 31, 2018, Gilles said.

Members of the Investment Corporation said previously they hope for a use of the current green space across from Amherst Cinema and Brew Kettle that will compliment the quaint downtown style and will draw customers to the area.

A second property in Amherst Township includes an agreement of members of a Joint Economic Development District, and remains in a holding pattern regarding development of the former Golden Acres nursing home in Amherst.

The former 85-bed skilled nursing facility, located at 45999 North Ridge Road in Amherst Township, closed in late 2015. Owned by Lorain County Commissioners, the building has been vacant since then.

County Commissioner Matt Lundy said he strongly supports joint economic development districts, or JEDDs, because they are more likely to have positive effect on the community than annexation.

“I’m not a big fan of annexation,” Lundy said. “I always believe that communities should try to work together to develop a JEDD and not push annexation.

“JEDDs create a win-win opportunity for all involved, as long as neither party wants it all. So long as both parties say, ‘Hey, I’m willing to get something, or a part of the deal, instead of all of the deal,’ then it works out for everybody.

“What happens is: when one party wants everything, then, unfortunately, it leads to annexation and annexation normally leads to bad feelings. The JEDD on the other hand, generally creates what the taxpayer wants and that is: government working together for the people and it creates a win-win situation where both government and multiple entities can win at the end of the day.”

Lundy said that philosophy is in play when it comes to the Golden Acres property.

“That’s property that we believe has development potential for the future and that’s why we think it’s important to have a JEDD agreement around this,” he said.

Gilles said the final empty space in downtown will be filled within the next two weeks with a used book store at 175 Park Ave.

Also, a new event this month is Apples and Ale, which runs from noon to 5 p.m., Oct. 15, with 40 businesses participating, Gilles said.

Tickets cost $25 each, and a maximum of 250 tickets are available, she said.

“Basically, it’s an adult trick or treat,” Gilles said, adding costumes are not involved.

Visitors would collect small treats while strolling downtown, she said.