The area highlighted in blue indicates the location of the proposed Plain City Downtown Revitalization District. Creating the 32.4-acre district would allow the village to make up to six more liquor licenses available in that area.
(Graphic submitted)
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Plain City officials are considering the creation of a Downtown Revitalization District that would allow the village to issue more liquor licenses.
“I believe that this proposed district will substantially contribute to entertainment, retail, educational, sporting, social, cultural and arts opportunities for the Plain City community,” Mayor Jody Carney wrote in a letter to council and Council Clerk Justin Dreier.
Carney noted that she received an application from Rayce Robinson, owner of The Clock Tower among other Uptown buildings, requesting the creation of a Downtown Revitalization District.
In his letter, Robinson said the district would allow businesses to acquire liquor licenses at state-regulated costs “significantly below the prevailing market rates.”
“Considering the ongoing challenges faced by local businesses, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the creation of a DRD will serve as an important measure to bolster our economy and support the businesses that call Plain City home,” he wrote.
Robinson’s request specifically touched on the provision of D5 liquor licenses, which allow for sales of beer, wine, pre-packaged low-proof mixed beverages and consumption of high-proof spirits until 2:30 a.m.
According to data provided in council’s packet, the village has a state-mandated quota of three D5 permits, two of which have been issued: Plain City Bowling in 1974 and Lee’s Sports and Spirits in 2009. A permit is pending for Pioneer Pizza.
Carney said through establishing the proposed district, which will encompass 32.4 acres in the Uptown area, up to six additional D5-L permits – which offer similar privileges to a D5 permit, but are only available within a revitalization district – could be made available.
During council’s most recent meeting, Village Administrator Haley Lupton specified that the permits are only issued to establishments for which 75% or more of their business is food service.
She said that will ensure that making more permits available will facilitate new restaurants rather than strictly bars.
Carney said similar revitalization districts have been created in Urbana and Bellefontaine.
Council member Kerri Ferguson said she feels the group needs to consider “what is our audience?” before proceeding with the creation of a Downtown Revitalization District.
She said she feels the number of storefronts in the Uptown is limited and she would like to see more shopping opportunities rather than more restaurants or bars.
“We just don’t have a lot of retail,” Ferguson said.
Council President Michael Terry said he is not necessarily opposed to the district but wants to learn more before moving forward. He questioned whether there would be other economic development benefits aside from the availability of liquor licenses.
Council voted 5-0 to set a public hearing regarding the creation of a Downtown Revitalization District for March 25 at 6 p.m. in council chambers, 800 Village Blvd. Council member Tyler Harriman was absent.
The public hearing will not require council to take action at that time.
Carney directed staff to provide council with additional information about “the pros and cons” in the meantime.
In other business:
– Council voted to approve a contract with Outdoor FX for the deconstruction of the train depot that will be installed as part of the project to create a new Public Square park.
Lupton explained that the historic Brice Train Depot will be moved from its current location in Upper Arlington to Plain City in June.
She said she did preliminary research to determine which companies could deconstruct the structure to do so, but found that it is “such a specialty” that only one of the four she reached out to said they could complete the project.
Fortunately, she said, local company Outdoor FX does similar work and even has an employee on staff that restores historic buildings on the side.
Lupton said employees of Outdoor FX have visited the train depot at least three times and feel “really confident” in their ability to do such work.
Based on that reasoning, council waived the competitive bidding process and voted 5-0 to approve a contract with Outdoor FX for $160,270 to complete the depot relocation.