Businesses in Gateway area to relocate by end of January

The six businesses still operating in the area designated for the University Gateway Center will close by Jan. 31 as Campus Partners prepares to enter the next phase of the Gateway project.

Since it acquired its first property in 1997, Campus Partners has successfully negotiated the purchase of about 95 percent of the 7.4-acre site for the Gateway project.  The redevelopment area extends between West 11th and West 10th avenues on the west side of High Street and between Chittenden and East Ninth avenues on the east side of High Street.

In accordance with the business relocation plan for the Gateway project adopted by Columbus City Council in early 2000, Campus Partners successfully negotiated agreements a number of months ago with all 26 business owners with leases in the Gateway area.   These agreements specified compensation for relocating their businesses and for ending their current leases.  The agreements also often allowed the businesses to continue operation for a number of months.  Many businesses received operating extensions well beyond the termination date in the relocation agreement.

            Relocating businesses is never an easy or pleasant process, particularly for businesses which have been established and in operation for many years.  The relocation process is one of the greatest challenges in undertaking larger-scale, urban redevelopment projects.

            “We are pleased that we successfully worked out agreements with each of the business owners,” said Terry Foegler, president of Campus Partners.  “A number of businesses have moved or will move to newly renovated spaces, and we believe they are positioned to re-establish themselves well.   We also are pleased that some have chosen to remain in the university area.”

Campus Partners paid the 26 business owners a total of $2,237,805 as compensation for relocating, an average of more than $86,000 per business.  The relocation benefits were quite variable based on the nature of each business and the costs of relocation and renovation.  Foegler noted that the terms of the business relocation plan for the Gateway project are among the most generous ever provided within the city.

Campus Partners has extended the occupancy period beyond the negotiated termination dates and has permitted the businesses to remain in operation as long as possible.  The remaining six businesses, however, must now conclude their operations by Jan. 31 because Campus Partners is completing the environmental remediation of the buildings in preparation for demolition of the properties.  Demolition is likely to occur this spring.

           The six businesses which will be closing are:

-- Singing Dog Records.  The owner purchased the building 1644 N. High St. and is moving the business to that location.

-- Skully’s Bar & Grill.  The owner is relocating the business to 1151 N. High St. and has opened an additional location at 5060 N. High St.

-- Greek Village.  The business is relocating to 3260 W. Broad St.

-- Cluck-U-Chicken.  The owner plans to relocate on High Street.

-- Cornerstone.  The owners are considering options for relocating.

-- Panini’s.  The owner, which operates a number of bars around the country, is considering options for relocating.

Two other businesses formerly in the Gateway area have recently relocated in the University District:

-- Apollo’s Kitchen.  The owner moved the business into renovated space at 1758 N. High St.

-- Colors Barbershop.  The owner moved the business into renovated space at 12 E. 12th Ave.