ITALIAN VILLAGE EAST REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

A NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE

CITY OF COLUMBUS, DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING OFFICE

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL

Matthew D. Habash, President Kevin L. Boyce Jennette B. Bradley Michael C. Mentel Maryellen O’Shaughnessy Richard W. Sensenbrenner Charleta B. Tavares

DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Chair Karen J. McCoy, Vice Chair Paul Cianelli Thomas E. DeVoe Dan D. Frye Jim Simpson

ITALIAN VILLAGE EAST REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

November, 2000

Michael B. Coleman, Mayor City of Columbus, Ohio Mark Barbash, Director Department of Trade and Development Stephen R. McClary, Administrator Planning Office Dick Ritchie, Manager Neighborhood Planning Prepared by: Craig Noreen, Senior Planner Suzanne Wingenfield, Senior Planner Graphics by: Larry Lewis, Graphic Designer

The Italian Village East Redevelopment Plan was adopted by City Council on November 20, 2000 as the official guide for the Italian Village East Planning Area. The plan provides recommendations and establishes guidelines to direct future decisions about the Italian Village neighborhood east of N. Fourth Street. Please direct all questions regarding the content of this plan to the Planning Office, City of Columbus, 109 N. Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

On November 20, 2000 Columbus City Council adopted the Italian Village East Redevelopment Plan as the city’s official guide for revitalization and future development within the Italian Village East Planning Area. As part of the Italian Village neighborhood, this planning area is located within a locally designated historic district.

Neighborhood leaders, residents, developers, and business interests assisted the city’s Planning Office with the preparation of this plan. Their participation was critical to ensure that the plan would reflect the needs and aspirations of the Italian Village neighborhood.

On behalf of the Department of Trade and Development, I would like to congratulate the planning committee for their excellent work and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Italian Village neighborhood on future initiatives.

Mark Barbash, Director Department of Trade and Development

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The city of Columbus wishes to thank the following individuals for serving on the planning committee. This plan would not have been possible without their assistance. The committee’s participation and dedication throughout the process reflects their commitment to the future of Italian Village.

Joe Armeni Andy Klein New Victorians Italian Village Society Mark Beck Fr. William Metzger Clark Grave Vault Company St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church Kevin Berry Berry Brothers Bolt Works Sean O’Reilly Preferred Real Estate Dave Betz Investments Italian Village Master Plan Coordinating Committee Dave Schroeder Ross Products Division - Michael Chan Abbott Laboratories Durable Slate Company P. Susan Sharrock Cheryl Downey Short North Business Durable Slate Company Association Ruth Gless David Strause Italian Village Commission Strause-Lakota Matthew Keener Planning Area Resident

The Italian Village Neighborhood

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE PLAN 1 THE PLANNING PROCESS 2 PLANNING AREA BOUNDARIES 3 EXISTING CONDITIONS THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 4 CURRENT LAND USE 5 CURRENT ZONING 7 MAJOR THOROUGHFARES 9 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES CONTEXT OF THE PLANNING AREA 11 GENERAL FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTICS 12 UNDEVELOPED/UNDERUTILIZED SITES 13 RECOMMENDATIONS PROPOSED LAND USE 14 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE 17 TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AND CALMING 19 REDEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR CORRIDORS 21 HOUSING AND NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT 23 REDEVELOPMENT OF FORMER INDUSTRIAL SITES 25 PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 29 OTHER AREA IMPROVEMENTS 31 IMPLEMENTATION PROPOSED NEXT STEPS 33 FINANCIAL INCENTIVES 36 RESOURCES FOR REVITIALIZATION 38

INTRODUCTION

The Budd Dairy Building

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

The Italian Village East Redevelopment Ø Stimulate private investment within Plan was prepared to help stimulate and the planning area. guide redevelopment within the eastern _____ half of Italian Village, a neighborhood Ø Promote redevelopment that is designated as a historic district. This sensitive to neighborhood goals and portion of the Village, beginning with the objectives. _____ N. Fourth Street corridor and extending Ø Provide land use recommendations for eastward to the Conrail railroad tracts, large undeveloped sites within the was identified as an area needing focused planning area. planning assistance. _____ Ø Develop a plan that is compatible with The city’s Planning Office began a planning the rest of the neighborhood. initiative for this area in the Fall of 1999. _____ Ø Protect historic and architecturally Neighborhood representatives and significant buildings. community groups were consulted to help _____ establish planning goals. The following Ø Maintain and/or rehabilitate existing were identified as key objectives for the housing stock. redevelopment plan: _____ Ø Provide action steps for implementing redevelopment.

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THE PLANNING PROCESS

The Italian Village East Redevelopment The next phase of the process dealt with Plan is the product of a 12-month public the preparation of the plan document. planning process. Groundwork for this City staff wrote the plan, incorporating the planning initiative began with the previous work of the planning committee. preparation of a work program outlining The draft plan was then distributed to the plan’s purpose, scope, and timeline. relevant city departments and committee Next, the Planning Office solicited members for comment. neighborhood stakeholders to serve on a Recommendations were incorporated into planning committee. This group was a revised draft.* assembled to ensure that the plan would reflect the needs and aspiration of the The final phase of the planning process neighborhood. involved public review and adoption. First, an open house was held in the The planning committee convened monthly neighborhood to receive public comment during the initial phase of the planning on the plan. Next, city staff presented the process. Committee members assisted city draft to the Development Commission to staff with defining the planning area, obtain their endorsement. Lastly, the identifying issues, and preparing draft draft plan was submitted to City Council recommendations. Research on the for adoption. planning area was also conducted during this period. * Reviewed/endorsed by the Italian Village Commission and the Italian Village Society

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PLANNING AREA BOUNDARIES

The Italian Village East Redevelopment the south, and the alley west of Plan addresses the area bounded by N. Fourth Street on the west. The E. Fifth Avenue on the north, Conrail planning committee established these railroad tracts on the east, I-670 on boundaries with input from the city’s Planning Office.

Italian Village East Planning Area

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EXISTING CONDITIONS

N. Fourth Street at E. Third Avenue

THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

In general, this section of the Italian Third, much of the housing stock in the Village neighborhood is in poor condition. planning area is vacant or in disrepair. A number of key factors contribute to its Many of the occupied structures need current state. First, the planning area general maintenance. Several of the contains a significant amount of vacant single-family units that have been land, much of which is inadequately converted to multi-family are severely maintained. This includes both small rundown and need significant repairs. residential and commercial lots as well as large parcels formerly used for Finally, much of the planning area’s manufacturing. The largest tracts of land infrastructure is in poor condition. include vacant buildings and deteriorated The E. Second Avenue Bridge needs to parking lots, which detract from the area’s be rebuilt, while the E. Fifth Avenue visual appeal. Underpass requires major rehabilitation. Several streets and alleys need significant Second, major corridors within the planning improvements. A few of the remaining area are cluttered with overhead wires and brick streets require restoration. billboards. Both Numerous curbs and gutters are crumbling N. Fourth Street and E. Fifth Avenue contain and in need of repair. Sidewalk neglected/vacant buildings and undefined replacement is necessary in areas where off-street parking along the street edge. concrete has heaved up or deteriorated. These conditions, along with a lack of streetscape improvements, make these thoroughfares unattractive.

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CURRENT LAND USE

As the current land use map indicates, The planning area also contains residential vacant land and vacant buildings account uses. While most are low density (1–2 for more than one-half of the planning units), the area includes some medium area. While large parcels of vacant land density (3–4 units) and high density (>4 exist south of E. Second Avenue, vacant units) as well as mixed use land/buildings are located throughout this (residential/commercial). Most residential portion of Italian Village. uses are located in the northwest quadrant of the planning area. There are also Manufacturing uses also occupy a residential uses along the area’s major significant part of the planning area. Most corridors. of these uses are concentrated east of N. Sixth Street and north of E. Second Commercial and office uses represent a Avenue. Other manufacturing uses are smaller portion of the planning area. found along N. Fourth Street and E. Fifth These uses are concentrated along N. Avenue. Fourth Street and E. Fifth Avenue.

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CURRENT ZONING

As the current zoning map indicates, more Approximately one-quarter of the planning than two-thirds of the planning area is area is zoned for residential (1-4 family). zoned for manufacturing. Most of the Most of the land zoned Residential is land zoned Manufacturing is located east concentrated in the northwest quadrant of of N. Fourth Street between I-670 and E. the planning area. Second Avenue and east of N. Sixth Street between E. Second Avenue and E. Fifth A small fraction of the planning area is Avenue. A number of parcels along N. zoned for commercial. Most of the land Fourth Street are also zoned for zoned Commercial is located along E. Fifth manufacturing. When comparing existing Avenue. When comparing existing land land use with existing zoning, it is evident use with existing zoning, it is evident that that there is a greater percentage of land there is a greater percentage of land zoned Manufacturing than is currently occupied by commercial uses than is being used for manufacturing. zoned Commercial.

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MAJOR THOROUGHFARES

The Italian Village East Planning Area of pavement. This classification calls for contains three major thoroughfares: three moving lanes and two parking lanes N. Fourth Street, E. Fifth Avenue, and (or additional moving lanes in one direction). E. Second Avenue. These thoroughfares The thoroughfare plan also identifies N. are part of the neighborhood’s overall street Fourth Street as a bikeway cooridor. system, serving as primary cooridors within Italian Village. N. Fourth Street and E. Fifth E. Fifth Avenue is categorized as a “4-2D” Avenue also function as key component of arterial, requiring a minimum right-of-way of the region’s roadway network. N. Fourth 120 feet, wherever possible, and 72 feet of Street is a numbered U.S. route and one of pavement. This classification calls for four the primary means of egress from moving lanes with a median divider on downtown. E. Fifth Avenue is the third mainline sections. The thoroughfare plan also longest continuous street in the county and identifies E. Fifth Avenue as a bikeway is one of only two streets that cross both cooridor. the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers. E. Second Avenue is categorized as a “C” The Columbus Thoroughfare Plan identifies arterial, requiring a minimum right-of-way each of the planning area’s three major of 60 feet, wherever possible, and 36 feet thoroughfares. N. Fourth Street is of pavement. This classification calls for two categorized as a “3-1” arterial, requiring a moving lanes and two parking lanes (or minimum right-of-way of 80 feet, wherever additional moving lanes in two directions). possible, and 52 feet

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ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Jeffrey Mining Site From E. First Avenue

CONTEXT OF THE PLANNING AREA

The Italian Village East Planning Area Located west of the planning area is located directly north of the City’s is the remainder of the Italian Village Downtown District. Its setting places the neighborhood. This portion of the Village planning area in close proximity to major has experienced significant revitalization employers, cultural and learning during the past decade. Much of its institutions, and entertainment venues. Its housing stock and many commercial central location and adjacency to buildings have been rehabilitated. I-670 and I-71 also makes the planning Improvements to streetscapes in this area easily accessible from locations section of the neighborhood have outside the downtown area. significantly impacted its visual appeal. In general, streets and alleys are well This section of Italian Village is bordered maintained. The provision of sidewalks by Weinland Park and Unity throughout this portion of the Village adds neighborhoods on the north and the Milo– to a pedestrian-friendly environment for Grogan neighborhood on the East. It is its residents. In addition, people living in anticipated that these communities will this part of the neighborhood have access also benefit from redevelopment of the to Italian Village Park. planning area.

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GENERAL FEATURES/CHARACTERISTICS

A defining characteristic of the Italian A third element that distinguishes the Village Village neighborhood is its mixed land use is its designation as a historic district. As part pattern. This pattern extends into the of this district, the planning area holds special planning area along major corridors. N. significance because of its building types and Fourth Street, E. Second Avenue, and E. architecture. Its largest and most important Fifth Avenue all have a diverse mix of land buildings reflect the strong presence of uses, including single-family, multi-family, manufacturing during the late19th and early commercial, institutional, office, and/or 20th century. One of these structures, the manufacturing. Berry Brothers Bolt Works building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another key feature of Italian Village is its Other significant structures include the Jeffrey grid street configuration. With the Mining Administrative Office building and the exception of its large tracts of land Budd Dairy building. The planning area also currently/formerly used for contains housing from the late 19th century, manufacturing, this grid pattern is most of which are single-family frame continued within the planning area. Some buildings. A few multi-family row houses also streets and alleys in this section of the remain. While many of the commercial Village have been vacated, compromising buildings in the planning area are less the neighborhood’s street system. historic, several early 20th century structures still exist.

UNDEVELOPED/UNDERUTILIZED SITES

Nearly one-half of the planning Another large undeveloped site is located area is vacant, undeveloped land. between E. First Avenue and Approximately three-quarters of this land E. Second Avenue. Unlike the vacant is a single site located between land to its south, this site is occupied I-670 and E. First Avenue. Future by a group of vacant structures. Currently, development of this tract of land, which is these buildings are being redeveloped, with zoned Manufacturing, will greatly impact significant tenants already programmed. the neighborhood. Tax abatement was provided for this redevelopment project. Revitalization of this

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site will have a significant influence on the Another area that contains many surrounding area. Immediately north of this underutilized sites is the N. Fourth Street site are a number of vacant residential corridor. Much of the corridor consists of buildings that are well suited for vacant buildings or inappropriate/marginal rehabilitation. land uses. Redevelopment of the N. Fourth Street corridor holds the potential to impact the Village positively by providing mixed use development that serves the neighborhood while strengthening its existing development pattern.

The remaining land currently vacant/ undeveloped within the planning area consists of multiple parcels that are scattered throughout the planning area. These tracts of land are zoned either Residential or Manufacturing. Vacant lots east of N. Fourth Street between E. Second Avenue and E. Fifth Avenue provide opportunities for residential infill development. Many of the vacant lots along N. Fourth Street are well suited for commercial infill development.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

N. Fourth Street between Second & Third Avenues

PROPOSED LAND USE

The Italian Village East Planning Area The planning committee carefully should reflect the diverse mix of land uses considered appropriate land uses, that characterize the Village. Single and providing directives for distinct multi-family residential, retail, office, subsections and major corridors within the apartment residential, and various planning area. institutional uses are found throughout the neighborhood.

Similarly, the pattern of land uses in the planning area should be compatible with the rest of Italian Village. This pattern, characterized by diverse uses that are densely integrated, forms a successful neighborhood fabric. Any large, single use within the planning area would be inconsistent with the Village’s prevailing land use pattern.

Vacant Church Building on E. Fourth Avenue

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PROPOSED LAND USE (continued)

ü The portion of the planning area south existing fabric of single family homes of E. Second Avenue should have a and, therefore, should be discouraged. mixed land use pattern, including two or more of the following uses: office, ü The N. Fourth Street corridor should retail, residential, institutional, park/ have a mix of commercial, residential, recreational, light assembly, and office land uses. All existing office/warehouse. residential buildings along the corridor should remain as residential. Any new ü The portion of the planning area north manufacturing uses along N. Fourth of E. Second Avenue, consisting of E. Street would be inappropriate and, Third Avenue, E. Fourth Avenue, Detroit therefore, should be discouraged. Avenue, and N. Sixth Street, should include only residential land uses. Any ü The E. Fifth Avenue corridor should new manufacturing uses would not be have a mix of commercial, residential, conducive to maintaining the and office land uses.

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PARKS AND OPEN SPACE

Currently, there are no public parks Since the population living and/or working in or open space within the Italian Village the planning area will grow East Planning Area. The closest public as redevelopment occurs, there will be outdoor spaces include the Italian Village an increased need for parks and open space. Park at E. Hubbard Avenue and Kerr The planning committee prepared the Street, the Second Avenue School following recommendations to accommodate playground at E. Second Avenue and Say current and future needs of the Avenue, and Weinland Park at Summit neighborhood. A variety of outdoor spaces Street and Seventh Avenue. are proposed to meet the diversity of uses expected for the planning area.

Children at E. Fourth Avenue & N. Sixth Street

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ü Encourage park development that ü Encourage development of a linear serves the entire Italian Village park (with bike path connections) neighborhood and, specifically, people where appropriate. who live and/or work near the park (¼ to ½ mile radius). ü Endorse public open space that is maintained by the city, the Martha ü Encourage the placement of a Walker Garden Club, and/or other park/open space away from major entities. roadways to serve as a respite from congestion. ü Require the dedication of parkland when rezoning land within the ü Encourage the development of passive planning area. Encourage the open space to include items such as donation of vacant land for park(s) ponds (aerated), bike paths, benches, and open space when rezoning is not public art, and accommodations for required. dogs.

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TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AND CALMING

There are a number of significant redevelopment of the planning area must traffic issues related to the planning area. include making N. Fourth Street, E. Second First, the traffic pattern created by the use Avenue, and E. Fifth Avenue pedestrian of paired one-way streets (Summit Street friendly. Finally, redevelopment of the and N. Fourth Street) negatively impacts vacant industrial sites south of E. Second the neighborhood. Both access to the Avenue will increase traffic volume within Village and circulation within the Village is the neighborhood. Some uses (large retail hindered. Second, major thoroughfares in stores, movie complexes, etc.) would the planning area function as physical and exacerbate existing traffic problems, psychological barriers because of their particularly with regards to increased traffic current speed limits and physical design. on streets linking N. Fourth Street and Successful Summit/High Street.

N. Fourth Street at Greenwood Avenue

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ü Consider two-way operations on ü Install “Reduce Speed Zone” signs and Summit and N. Fourth Streets when flashers on N. Fourth Street in major alterations in travel modes, advance of Second Avenue. patterns and/or volumes within the region occur. ü Install a traffic signal, if warranted and approved, at the new proposed on-ramp ü Encourage slower traffic to I-670 from N. Fourth Street. Traffic throughout the planning area exiting I-670 via the reconfigured off- by providing consistent traffic ramp recommended in this plan would enforcement, increasing on-street also be controlled by this signal. parking/lifting parking restrictions, and installing traffic calming devices. ü Install a traffic signal, if warranted and These strategies will improve the approved, at the intersection of N. quality of life for residents and help Fourth and Warren Streets if the I-670 retail stores along major thoroughfares off-ramp is reconfigured as via increased pedestrian traffic. recommended in this plan.

ü Increase the number of freeway ü Respect the neighborhood’s existing directional and truck traffic routing grid street system in future signs throughout the planning area. development south of E. Second Avenue.

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REDEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR CORRIDORS

The Italian Village East Planning Area and western boundaries also make the contains two major corridors: N. Fourth corridor a significant central spine for Street and E. Fifth Avenue. The N. Fourth Italian Village. Street corridor includes a mix of commercial, residential, and The E. Fifth Avenue corridor also has manufacturing land uses. It is both a mix of commercial, residential, and visually and functionally significant for the manufacturing land uses. Like the N. Fourth neighborhood. As a northbound Street corridor, the image and use of E. Fifth thoroughfare and a principal means of Avenue is important to egress from downtown, N. Fourth Street the neighborhood. Residents are particularly serves as a key point of entry into the concerned about existing conditions at the Village. Its location midway between the intersection of E. Fifth Avenue and N. Fourth neighborhood’s eastern Street.

The N. Fourth Street Corridor

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N. FOURTH STREET CORRIDOR ü Discourage new manufacturing uses 1) between E. Second and E. Fifth Avenues ü Develop a commercial corridor west of the alley east of N. Sixth Street that serves Italian Village and and 2) between I-670 and E. Fifth Avenue surrounding neighborhoods. west of N. Fourth Street. In areas currently zoned manufacturing, new ü Consider rezoning parcels currently zoning development should not pose a negative Manufacturing to Commercial. environmental impact on the area.

ü Consider establishing a Special ü Maintain residential use of existing Improvement District for the corridor. single and multi-family housing structures located along the corridor. ü Support retail and office uses on the first floor of new and existing non-residential ü Apply the Urban Commercial Overlay to buildings, with mixed uses (commercial both sides of N. Fourth Street. and/or residential) on the second and third floors.

E. Fifth Avenue Corridor ü Support redevelopment of parcels/ buildings at the intersection of E. Fifth ü Support retail and office uses on the Avenue and N. Fourth Street. first floor of new and existing buildings located on the south side of E. Fifth ü Apply the Urban Commercial Overlay to Avenue, with mixed uses (commercial the south side of E. Fifth Avenue and/or residential) on the second and (excluding the area around the third floors. underpass).

Housing and New Residential Development

The Italian Village East Planning Area Sixth Street. Multi-family units consist contains a mix of single and multi-family mainly of brick row houses along N. housing units. Single-family houses are Fourth Street. primarily one or two-story frame buildings, most of which are located on E. Fourth Avenue, Detroit Avenue, and N.

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Within the planning area, much of warehouse and manufacturing buildings the land zoned for residential use is that are currently vacant. These lots are well suited for redevelopment as appropriate for new housing development. residential lofts. Similarly, there are a number of former

ü Encourage an increase in owner- ü Require appropriate buffering along occupied housing within the industrial uses. If space is limited, Italian Village East planning area. vertical landscaping should be planted.

ü Encourage a mix of owner-occupied single-family, two-family and row house units.

ü Support the continuation of the existing fabric of single-family homes between E. Second Avenue and E. Fifth Avenue.

ü Require that infill development be compatible with surrounding residential buildings in height, setback and fenestration.

ü Support loft-style units in existing and new buildings east of N. Fourth Street.

E. Fourth Avenue Resident

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REDEVELOPMENT OF FORMER INDUSTRIAL SITES vacant buildings, with a total 290,000 The southern portion of the Italian Village square feet. East Planning Area contains nearly 45 acres of land formerly used for Together, these sites represent manufacturing. This area is bound by E. approximately one-half of the Second Avenue on the north, the Conrail planning area and nearly one-quarter of railroad tracts on east, I-670 on the south, the neighborhood. Mindful of the impact and N. Fourth Street on the west. of any future redevelopment of these sites, the planning committee carefully prepared The vacant site south of E. First Avenue, the following recommendations. commonly referred to as the Jeffrey Mining site, includes approximately 33 acres of land. Once containing more than 30 structures, no buildings remain on this site.

Jeffrey Mining Site from I-670

The vacant site north of E. First Avenue, known as either the Jeffrey Mining or Dresser site, accounts for approximately 11.5 acres of land. This site contains five

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AREA NORTH OF E. FIRST AVENUE ü Preserve the Berry Brothers Bolt Works building on E. First Avenue. ü Support restoring the façades of existing warehouses to their original condition if they remain.

ü Require the extension of N. Sixth Street south through the site.

ü Recommend the removal of all unnecessary chain link fences.

ü Require landscape screening of parking areas located along N. Fourth Street and E. Second Avenue.

ü Encourage establishing a Special Improvement District for the area.

Berry Brothers Bolt Works Building

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REDEVELOPMENT SITES (continued)

AREA SOUTH OF E. FIRST AVENUE ü Support taller buildings (compared to existing development in the area) for ü Require that new development have a new development of the southeastern mixed land use pattern similar to the quadrant of the site (near I-670 and the rest of Italian Village, with at least two railroad tracts). Hotels, high-rise (2) of the following uses: residential, apartments and high-rise offices are retail, institutional, office, light acceptable assembly, office/ warehouse, land uses for that part of the site park/open space. A single use, ‘big provided that they include structured box’ development parking. Surface parking for these uses is not appropriate for this site. is not appropriate.

Jeffrey Mining Site from the Conrail railroad tracts

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ü Require new development to blend ü Require streetscape elements, with the character of existing including streetlights, trees, benches, architecture. Architecture that exhibits etc. along N. Fourth Street, E. First excellence in design and materials Avenue, and E. Second Avenue. should be permitted so long as it complies with existing historic ü Encourage pedestrian and vehicular preservation codes for the city and connections, including the extension established guidelines for Italian of N. Sixth and Warren Streets into Village. the site.

ü Require that new development along ü Encourage development that does not N. Fourth Street, E. First Avenue, and adversely affect residential E. Second Avenue coordinate with neighborhoods west of N. Fourth existing buildings in terms of setback, Street, specifically in regards to cross massing, scale and fenestration. street traffic.

ü Encourage the future developer(s) to set aside area for public open space.

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PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

Redevelopment of the Italian Village East trees, and the removal of above ground Planning Area necessitates utility lines will help to improve the area’s a number of significant capital overall attractiveness. improvements. As noted in the section addressing existing conditions, the general In addition to their poor condition state of streets and alleys in this portion of and lack of appeal, the system of streets the neighborhood is poor. Many need and alleys in the planning area is major improvements or reconstruction. compromised due, in part, to the vacating Most streets in the planning area are also of public right-of-ways. Reestablishing visually unappealing and in need of and strengthening the street grid in the streetscape improvements. Enhanced planning area is essential to both its streetlights, restored/replaced sidewalks, revitalization and connection with the rest street of the Village.

E. Second Avenue at N. Sixth Street

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ü Encourage upgrades to the roadway ü Mitigate storm water problems. system infrastructure – streets, alleys, Determine the adequacy of storm curbs, gutters, etc. sewers and increase their capacity as required. ü Resurface N. Fourth Street, install bulb-outs at key intersections, and ü Encourage the burial of utility lines provide a curb lane for bike traffic. throughout the area.

ü Replace curbs on E. Fifth Avenue east ü Require streetlights, sidewalks, street of N. Fourth Street. trees, benches, and other improvements throughout the area to ü Require the maintenance/restoration of improve the quality of life for existing brick streets. pedestrians.

ü Encourage the improvement of ü Conduct sidewalk replacement on N. existing alleys and restoration of Fourth Street, E. Fifth Avenue, and abandoned alleys. other locations as needed.

ü Establish park(s) and open space in the planning area.

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Other Area Improvements The number and condition of transit stops in the planning area also needs to be There are a number of additional addressed. The addition of new stops and improvements needed for the area that improvements to existing stops are under require entities other than the City. Both the jurisdiction of the Central Ohio Transit the E. Second Avenue Bridge and E. Fifth Authority (COTA). Avenue Underpass are in poor condition and in need of Lastly, the planning area desires a rehabilitation/reconstruction. Conrail community police center substation. This Railroad owns both of these viaducts and, resource could be located in a storefront or as such, is responsible for their current other donated space within the planning state. Any improvements would have to area or adjacent areas. be facilitated by Conrail.

The E. Second Avenue Bridge

ü Reconfigure the westbound

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off-ramp from I-670 so that it terminates at N. Fourth Street, aliening with the new westbound on-ramp proposed as part of the Spring- Sandusky Interchange. ü Rehabilitate the E. Fifth Avenue underpass, making it pedestrian friendly ü Rebuild the N. Fourth Street underpass, and visually appealing. proposed as part of the Spring/Sandusky Interchange, so that it ü Establish a rail station on E. Fifth is pedestrian friendly and visually Avenue and/or the Jeffrey Mining site if appealing. it is determined that rail transportation is feasible for the metropolitan area. ü Increase the height of the E. Second Avenue Bridge to 13’ 6” and rebuild ü Improve existing transit stops within the retaining walls so that they are the area, including the addition of structurally sound and aesthetically shelters and stopping pads, and pleasing. encourage the addition of new stops.

ü Encourage development of a community police substation within/or in close proximity to the planning area.

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IMPLEMENTATION

The Jeffrey Mining Administration Building

PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

The following action steps are · Allocate funding for recommended capital offered as guidelines for entities involved in improvements and neighborhood the implementation of this plan. These enhancement projects. general directives take into account the Key Participants significance of multiple participants and the Public Safety Department importance of collaboration. Achieving the Public Service Department plan’s recommendations depends on the Public Utilities level and effectiveness of communication Recreation & Parks Department Department of Trade & Development between the City, other public/quasi-public entities, stakeholders from the private sector, and the Italian Village Commission/Italian Village Society.

· Promote plan implementation through joint efforts between relevant neighborhood entities and appropriate city agencies. Key Participants Italian Village Commission Italian Village Society Department of Trade & Development

Cottingham Paper Company

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NEXT STEPS (continued)

· Prioritize roadway system Determine needed street and alley infrastructure and streetscape extensions and seek the dedication of public improvements right-of-ways Key Participants Key Participants Italian Village Society Italian Village Commission Engineering & Construction Division Italian Village Society Traffic Engineering & Parking Division Engineering & Construction Division Traffic Engineering & Parking Division · Prioritize the location and use of traffic calming devices and directional · Identify the most appropriate site for signage a park and pursue acquisition Key Participants Key Participants Italian Village Commission Italian Village Commission Italian Village Society Italian Village Society Traffic Engineering & Parking Division Recreation & Parks Department

Detroit Avenue between N. Fourth & Sixth Streets

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· Establish/maintain dialogue regarding · Create an Urban Commercial Overlay development of the vacant site south District for Italian Village, including the of E. First Avenue east and west sides of N. Fourth Street Key Participants and south side of E. Fifth Avenue. Italian Village Commission Key Participants Italian Village Society Italian Village Commission Developer(s) & Associates Italian Village Society Department of Trade & Development Department of Trade & Development

· Continue dialogue regarding · Address needed improvements to the redevelopment of the vacant site E. Second Avenue bridge and E. Fifth north of E. First Avenue Avenue underpass Key Participants Key Participants Italian Village Commission Italian Village Commission Italian Village Society Italian Village Society Developer(s) & Associates Conrail Railroad Department of Trade & Development Engineering & Construction Division

· Establish the N. Fourth Street corridor as a Special Improvement District (SID) Key Participants Italian Village Neighborhood Department of Trade & Development

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Financial Incentives

Several programs have been set up by the Ø Tax Increment Financing city of Columbus and other agencies to offer Local legislative authority may redirect assistance with redevelopment costs for real property taxes on improvements to qualified projects. The following list is to finance public infrastructure serve as a resource to potential developers. improvements connected to the project. This list is not exhaustive and all programs listed may not apply to every site. For Ø Enterprise Zones further information, contact the Business Provides real property and personal Development Office at 645-6427. property tax exemptions for businesses that expand in or relocate to designated enterprise zones.

Jeffrey Mining Site from N. Fourth Street

Ø Columbus Job Creation Tax Credit This program is similar to and piggybacks on the Ohio Job Creation

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Tax Credit program. Columbus utilizes a combined application process to streamline the process. Applicant must make a best effort to achieve 10 percent hiring of new employees who Ø Columbus Working Capital Loan are disadvantaged persons. Program For small businesses located in the Ø Columbus Growth Fund city of Columbus. Primarily to finance working capital, owner occupied real estate acquisition Ø SBA Section 7(a) Bank Guaranty Loan or rehabilitation, and equipment. Available to for profit small business owners. Ø Columbus Business Development Fund Finances fixed-asset purchases for Ø SBA Low Documentation Loan small business located in the city of Small business with annual sales of Columbus. $5,000,000 or less, and 200 or fewer employees.

Ø SBA 504 Loan Small or medium business, net worth below $6 million, profits below $2million.

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Resources for Revitalization

A number of programs and tools Improvements Program (CIP). The have been established by the city of CIB includes projects for one fiscal Columbus to promote the revitalization of year and the CIP is a six-year older, central city neighborhoods. The program. To qualify to be on the CIB following list, highlighting major resources, and the CIP the improvements must is intended to serve as a guide for be city-owned, cost $5,000 or more, community leaders, residents, and area and last 5 years or more. Each stakeholders. department of the city puts together a list of projects to be on the CIP. To Ø Capital Improvements see if a project in your area is on the Each year the city of Columbus adopts CIP contact the appropriate a Capital Improvements Budget (CIB) department. The following are the and a Capital departments to

N. Fourth Street between Warren Street & E. First Avenue

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contact: Public Utilities, Public Service, older, central city commercial corridors. Recreation and Parks, Public Safety, and The purpose of the overlay is to protect Trade and Development. To obtain a and/or re- establish the unique copy of the current CIP, contact the character of central city commercial Finance Department at 645-8200. corridors and to encourage investment within compatibly designed Ø Physical Improvements development. Designation of corridors The Urban Infrastructure Recovery is established by City Council. For Fund (UIRF) was created in 1992 to more information, call the Planning reverse the trend of urban decline Office at 645-7565. and share the decision-making about public investment with area residents. Ø Housing-Related Programs UIRF resources are used for The city of Columbus offers assistance infrastructure repairs and for special to homeowners/buyers through its features that will enhance a Housing and Community Services neighborhood. For more information, section. Programs may offer assistance call Housing and Community Services on down payments, emergency repairs, at 645-6679. and referrals to other agencies. For more information, call the Housing and Ø Tools for Commercial Corridor Community Services at 645-8526. The Urban Commercial Overlay was adopted in 1999 to help improve

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