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Columbus-based Planning NEXT was brought on to create an outline for the future development of the site and tonight was the first time planners said discussed plausible options for development on the 13-acre site.
It was the second of three workshops to create a strategic plan for the site. Those who attended the session at Fairview Pre K-6 school left comment cards and notes on the concepts and the planners will be taking more feedback before presenting the final version. No date was given for the next workshop.
There are no developers or financing lined up for a formal plan. The planning process is intended to gather market research and community feedback to attract private sector development to build concepts in line with what the community wants.
The planners will send out a request for proposals when the planning process is completed, and developers can respond with proposals.
Jamie Greene, principal with Planning NEXT, who presented at the meeting, said many of the comments his firm received leading up to tonight’s meeting were for major health care services to be on the site. He said the guidelines Premier set up for the process restrict the kind of health services allowed and call for the hospital to be torn down — but not the parking garage.
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The planners said the community input to-date was distilled to include desired outcomes such as job creation, enhanced image of the area, more amenities and the promotion of healthy living. The feedback called for development that attracts and keeps new and young people, draws people from outside areas and serves diverse people.
There were three concepts for development floated at the workshop. One called for a civic focus, one for a residential focus and one for an employment focus.
All three showed a mix of different uses such as housing, businesses and community space. The concepts showed a central green space and walkable streets that bring the buildings to the edge of the sidewalk, moving away from surface parking lots in front of commercial strips.
The residential concept emphasized building 20 to 50 housing units at a time, featuring styles not currently in the market.
The employment concept emphasized flexible commercial space to house a range of businesses and prioritize programs that assist with job training or support of small business.
The civic focus centered on community and educational facilities as well as recreational uses.
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