Planning Committee – March 4, 2015 – meeting notes

University Area Commission Planning Committee March meeting minutes

March 2, 2015

7:00 P.M., Rm. 100, Northwood and High Building

 

The University Area Commission Planning Committee met on March 2, 2015. The meeting convened at 7:00 P.M. in Room 100 at the Northwood and High Building.

The meeting was attended by Bernie Pontones, Gary Cogley representing Ohio Veterans, Inc., Committee members in attendance: Rachael Beeman, Pasquale Grado, David Hegley, Susan Keeny, Jen Mankin and Sharon Young and Rory Krupp. Excused were Doreen Uhas-Sauer and Ethan Hansen.

The Ohio Veterans, Inc. presented an audio-visual presentation about their concept to repurpose the Indianola Middle School as the Primus Veterans and Community Center. Ohio Veterans, Inc., envisions the school gathering various veterans service providers into one mission focused facility. In addition, they proposed a historic renovation of the school with community green space and a memorial garden.

Since the Ohio Veterans, Inc. is in the conceptual stages of the project the planning committee urged the group to continue planning by ascertaining the number of square feet required for the various organizations, composing a business and identifying and connecting with institutional, philanthropic and non-profit partners as next steps in their process. The committee invited the Ohio Veterans, Inc. to return to the committee when they have completed their next steps in the process.

The planning committee discussed supporting the restoration of the historic balustrade on the Glen Echo Ravine bridge located on Indianola Avenue. The original balustrade was removed in 1965 and replaced with a modern, standard-design railing. Various community groups are urging ODOT to replace the historic balustrade as part of a planned bridge rehabilitation.

The planning committee briefly discussed committee goals for the year. A discussion of historic districts included exploring options that could be used district-wide and it was noted that the University District often originated city-wide legislation in regards to development. The goals discussion also included the possible expansion of the University Area Review Board throughout the district and how this could be accomplished without additional city staff or through the possibility of review fees to facilitate hiring more city staff.

The meeting adjourned at 8:06 P.M.

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