Value City
feet.
The buildings housed Value City's former office and warehouse and a Value City Department Store, which had replaced a Schottenstein's Department Store on the site. Value City closed that store and others at the end of 2008, a few months after the chain filed bankruptcy.
Dehays said he is working on plans that would include two apartment buildings on the north side of the site, now occupied by a parking lot. The complexes would include about 150 affordable apartments.
The plan would repurpose the existing building.
“We hope whatever we put in there will be an employment hub for that area, to develop something that's a job generator,” he said.
The annexation request, filed Sept. 1, said the planned use for the site would be affordable housing and manufacturing.
Dehays said he is working on details, but hopes to present a plan to the city later this year or early next year if the annexation is approved. The site is in one of the Columbus area's 52 opportunity zones, which provides some tax breaks for investors.
Karen Rogers, chair of the Northeast Side Commission, said she has not seen plans for the site but welcomes its redevelopment.
“It's just sat there, a big eyesore, for years and years,” she said. “It would be fantastic to see something go in there, especially if you bring jobs and affordable housing.” jweiker@dispatch.com @Jimweiker