The most important piece of economic development news in years:
Fifth Street Deli may get permit after all [1]
On Friday, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control overruled the city’s objection and ordered the application process to continue. …The ruling states that the city commission failed to show evidence that the applicant was unfit to sell alcoholic beverages or that the issuance of the permit would adversely impact the community.
Monica Snow, president of the Oregon Historic District Board of Trustees, said she has not discussed a course of action with other board members. “We’ve never been against any one business,” Snow said. “We’re just concerned about all the many challenges on Fifth Street.”
The main challenge has been raised by the Oregon Historic District Society and their rejection of progress: they fought the license on Pacchia, What You Eat (later to become the Blue Moon), Thai 9 and Coco’s Bistro. By doing so, they had artificially inflated the value of a liquor license to a price that stopped all but the most committed entrepreneurs from attempting to open.
They also guaranteed that the trouble spots were “protected” from competition- keeping them in business.
With this hurdle almost behind us- all that needs to happen next is relaxing of zoning and building codes to allow full occupancy of all buildings- and a realistic parking solution (build a garage)- and the Oregon District will finally become a finished destination.
One must note that the OHDS has continually failed to demonstrate their “pain” from the liquor licenses that have been approved. Since Pacchia opened in 1995- property values in the Oregon District have skyrocketed.
Best of luck to the 5th Street Wine and Deli.
This seems to be a perennial issue in the Oregon, the residents vs 5th Street.
Back in the 1960s, when the Oregon was Burns-Jackson, the Chicago architect Betram Goldberg (designer of Marina City) was hired to do a plan for the neighborhood. Goldberg recommended demolishing the commercial buildings on 5th and Wayne, leaving a park area, where he proposed a theatre and a “arts and crafts village”.
One wonders if this would have been the preferred solution for the Oregon residents of today. They can have their historic neighborhood with old antebellum houses and tree lined street, but without any 5th Street causing a nuisance.
But then, one asks, why did they chose to buy and restore in the heart of the city, in a neighborhood bounded by commercial streets, as they could have easily bought and restored old houses in Germantown, Miamisburg, or Waynesville.
Do they want to live in the city, or do they just want to live in a big old century house? And what is their vision of 5th Street? Do they prefer it vacant?
You would think that the economy is going gangbusters by the actions of our commission and clueless business class.
is there a wine bar down there? What ever happened to the wine bar in the 5/3 building? that place was nice. where did it go.
I was dt earlier today and was wondering where that wine bar went? who ran it? did they relocate? anyone………anyone. I would love to know.