112910 Downtown business plans major expansion

  • By Sharon Haught
  • November 18, 2010
  • 289
                        
Wooster City Council has cleared the way for a major expansion of a significant downtown business. During its November 15 meeting council unanimously approved the vacation of an alley between two properties owned by Sprenger Wayne Ltd., Co. The action will enable Horn Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, which is part of the Sprenger organization, to undertake a major expansion of its downtown facility. Mayor Bob Breneman said the expansion will “bring new jobs into our downtown because they would be looking to expand their facility by adding more beds and that would mean more personnel to help take care of the people.” “The projections they gave us were anywhere from 70 to 100 new employees that would go with this so (it’s) a very nice addition to our downtown,” added Breneman. Breneman noted that the expansion includes the addition of an assisted living area, which presents new opportunities for residents and downtown merchants alike. “For folks who will be in assisted living that are still able to get out and about where better to be than right in the downtown where they could…do some shopping, go to coffee shops and meet friends at restaurants,” said Breneman adding “it really will be a wonderful piece for our downtown.” Councilman Jon Ulbright, who introduced the legislation, noted that one of the two lots involved in the ally vacation was formerly a parking lot that was most recently was owned by PNC. “This has been an ongoing discussion on behalf of the city with Sprenger and other entities, including PNC, for Sprenger to acquire this parking lot,” said Ulbright. “A lot of behind the scenes work has gone in to this,” said Ulbright describing it as “a complicated and complete city-wide effort for Sprenger to stay in Wooster involving city council, city hall, Wooster Growth Corporation and the local business to get the parking lot deal done.” “This is a business that needed to expand,” said Ulbright. “We wanted Sprenger to stay in downtown Wooster. We want to retain the businesses that we have, businesses that have a great service to the community. This was a way to do it because without this opportunity Sprenger would have to locate in another part of the city or move outside the city,” said Ulbright adding “this is a great benefit to economic development in the downtown area.” “Recognizing the economic development opportunities, recognizing that this has been in the works and discussed for about a year I think we have a golden opportunity to improve our downtown as far as the faculties that are there and to serve our citizenry, in this case a particular type of citizenry, who have needs,” said Ulbright. “They can benefit from our downtown and we can help them and help a business stay in our community,” said Ulbright adding “it’s a win/win situation.” Ulbright noted that he consulted with the city’s Economic Development Administrator Justin Starlin, who noted that PNC will not lose parking spaces but will instead lease spaces in a lot on South Market Street from Wooster Growth Corporation. Starlin also confirmed that a survey to determine whether the alley vacation would produce any adverse affects with regards to utilities confirmed no such issues existed. While council would normally be required to hold a public hearing on alley vacations, Ulbright noted that because the two properties that surround the alley in question are owned by the same entity no public hearing was necessary, which paved the way for council to waive the rules of council and place the ordinance on third and final reading during its meeting.


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