From securing more public parking to updating architectural design guidelines while preserving historic areas, Powell City Council voted on several items Sept. 1 to help keep its plan for Downtown revitalization moving forward.
The decisions come amid concerns about the future of Nocterra Brewing Co., a popular Powell brewery with a taproom at 41 Depot St.and another in Scioto Audubon Metro Park in Columbus. Both locations were closed earlier this week in what owners say is a temporary pause to restructure their struggling business, but employees and customers have indicated on social media that they believe the operations are closing.
Here is a recap of some important items from the council meeting concerning Powell development in the Downtown
district and elsewhere:
Downtown design guidelines work with new zoning code
While Powell tries to revitalize its downtown area, it also seeks to preserve its character, according to a memo accompanying a resolution adopted unanimously establishing new Downtown design guidelines. These new standards will replace the city's 2016 architectural guidelines.
"The design guidelines are a complementary document" to the new zoning code, Planning Director Logan Stang said.
Within the Downtown district, design zones will help protect certain areas' characteristics, Stang said. Zones include historic, interface, residential and transition – those at the edge of the district that connect Downtown with the rest of the surrounding communities.
These guidelines, which reinforce "historic preservation efforts while supporting modern building practices for Downtown Powell," according to the resolution memo, are one of three policy improvements for the city. The others include a zoning code rewrite and the launch of new permitting software for planning, building and engineering applications.
The updates in the new zoning code, which will take effect Sept. 4, include modernized zoning districts, new development standards for landscaping, parking and signage, and other procedural improvements, according to the city's website.
Owner to demolish Stogies, enter into city parking agreement
Vincent J. Margello approached the city of Powell about using a property he owns for parking development, Powell spokesperson Anna Subler said in an email.
Powell has identified a need for more public parking in the Downtown area, and the City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Sept. 1 to enter into a parking agreement with Margello for his property at 59 E. Olentangy St.
"This is one of those things where you start the ball rolling, and I can just see that with this addition, I think we are going to be well on our way to get the cooperation of private parking space owners to participate in this plan," Powell Vice Mayor Tom Counts said. "And so, I applaud Vince for being the person to start this."
The site is located east of Stogies Cigar Lounge at 55 E. Olentangy St., which Margello owns, and Local Roots. Margello has secured grant funds to demolish Stogies, which creates an opportunity to add additional parking spaces. In total, the site is approximately 3 acres and supports a mixed use of parking, retail and residential, according to the resolution memo.
The current parking facility will be reconfigured for both private and public parking, with the city anticipating the creation of around 50 new public spaces in the middle of Downtown. The city will pay 50% of Margello's construction costs, not to exceed $88,600.
In addition, the agreement anticipates a four-year term and fixed annual payments of $115,000 to be paid quarterly by the city to Margello, according to the memo.
Signs will be erected to emphasize which of the parking spaces is for public use and which is for private business parking.
Tech flex park may be new endeavor for city
Land that Powell purchased from Redwood Apartments in 2024 was voted unanimously by the council to be transferred to the Powell Development Corporation with the possibility for redevelopment into a tech flex park, a commercial real estate development featuring single-story or low-rise buildings that mix office space with light industrial use, according to a resolution memo.
Almost 11 acres were acquired on Home Road, and the Powell Development Corporation Real Estate Committee evaluated the economic impact of the project and plans to move forward with a developer. The developer won't be disclosed until the Sept. 22 Powell Development Corporation (PDC) meeting, Subler said.
Estimates included in the resolution memo project that the 135,000-square-foot space could support 231 jobs, generating more than $4.8 million in new payroll taxes for the city after 15 years.
The city initially paid $208,197 per acre for the property, the memo states.
Tax-exempt notes to provide interim financing for Scioto Street project
An ordinance authorizing the issuance of $5.7 million in limited tax general obligation tax-exempt notesin the anticipation of long-term bond financing was adopted unanimously. The funds from investors in the notes would pay for the first phase extension of Scioto Street east from Liberty Street to Grace Drive, including construction of a surface public parking area, according to the city. The city would guarantee the repayment of the debt, and interest realized by investors would be free from federal income taxes and likely state taxes.
The notes are planned interim financing for project expenses in anticipation of long-term bond financing in 2027, Subler said.
The bond proceeds received in 2027 will be issued ahead of the maturity of the 2026 debt to assist in the payoff of the one-year notes, Subler said. Once long-term debt financing is issued, the city will be required to pay annual debt installments, which will be paid through municipal income taxes and other operating revenue.
Geben Communication to handle public relations for Village Green plan
A resolution to hire Geben Communication for $70,000 to support "clear, consistent, and transparent communication with residents and other community stakeholders," about the controversialVillage Green Master Plan was passed 6-1, with Councilman Leif Carlson voting no because of satisfaction with the current public relations. The city contacted three public relations firms for this work, and after reviewing proposals, recommended Geben.
The Village Green Master Plan, created by consultant Pizzuti on the city's behalf, outlines redevelopment of the city's Village Green Park, according to previous Dispatch reporting. The city is preparing for phase three of the plan, according to a resolution memo.
"One of the biggest things that having this PR firm to be able to help with, even just with this current phase, is to be able to promote and correctly convey the intent of that next round of public engagement," Stang said.
Village Green Park has a playground, an amphitheater, a splashpad, a shelter and a Veteran's Memorial. It's also the site of the Powell Festival. Beyond these amenities, the park is mostly a large green field.
Dispatch Reporter Nora Igelnik can be reached at nigelnik@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Powell continues on revitalization path with new parking, design plans
