Several business owners on the city’s east side say they support an affordable assisted-living facility being planned on State Street, believing it could help bring more visitors and growth to the area.
The Marian Group, based in Louisville, Kentucky, has proposed a four-story, 114-unit building known as Vivera Senior Living at 1971 State St.
Under plans by the firm, the $24 million project will bring 52 efficiency units and 62 one-bedroom units to the 2.37-acre property, where the Bartholomew County Annex was located until it was razed in December 2015.
Business owners in the area say they are in favor of the housing development proposed for the State Street corridor.
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The affordable assisted-living facility would benefit existing companies already in the State Street area, said Brad Wedan, owner of Wedan Street & Performance, which has been in business for 19 years.
The automotive business, located on Vermont Street, is just down the street from the site of the proposed residential development.
“I would be for that if it would bring more traffic to this part of town,” Wedan said.
Wedan also said the project is needed to serve an aging population in Columbus.
“You got to have some place for them to go,” Wedan said. “We just need something to draw people in.”
Plans to bring the affordable assisted-living facility to State Street were also supported by Rikki Hege, owner of Salon 1750, who relocated her business to 1750 State St. from National Road last year.
“I see a lot of positives for that type of business in the area,” Hege said.
Revitalization impact
City Councilman Dascal Bunch, whose district represents the State Street area, noted that the assisted living facility is the first major development to occur along the State Street corridor since the first two phases of the city’s State Street Revitalization Project were completed.
“We want to continue elements of revitalization throughout State Street,” said Julie Bilz, president of the State Street Area Association.
Bunch said the facility will allow individuals eligible for Medicaid to utilize the facility.
“We don’t have anything in Columbus like it,” Bunch said.
Bunch was the lone city councilman who voted against a resolution earlier this month, acknowledging that the city supports issuing up to $15.5 million in revenue bonds for the project. Bunch said he voted against it because residents didn’t have an opportunity to voice their opinion on the matter ahead of time, he said.
However, Bunch said he thinks local residents will support the development now that word has spread.
Hege said customers at her hair salon have taken notice of changes made by the city along State Street, including the addition of two green spaces, new sidewalks, a multi-use trail and decorative panels featuring Paul Rand’s Dancing C’s design.
Hege said while some people would have liked to see a new restaurant come in on State Street, she doesn’t see any negatives associated with the proposed project.
That type of business could directly benefit Flowers From The Woods, a florist located neaby.
The flower shop, which has been open since 1973, already delivers flowers to other assisted living facilities in the area, owner David Pyle said.
Why Columbus?
The Marian Group targeted Columbus to build an affordable assisted living facility after a market study determined a local need, said Jacob Brown, founder and principal of the firm. The study determined that Columbus will need 125 to 180 affordable assisted living units by 2020, he said.
In addition, the firm was also looking for a municipality with strong city leadership and a strong economy, both of which Columbus has, Brown said.
The Marian Group learned about State Street and its revitalization efforts through the city. Brown said he thinks the proposed development could stimulate additional business growth in the area.
“By doing all that, you build the momentum and get others on board and on the bandwagon,” Brown said.
The Marian Group, which plans to begin construction in November, is seeking revenue bonds from the city and non-competitive tax credits from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to finance the project.
An upcoming step will be when the city considers issuing revenue bonds for the development in October.
The upcoming project could be a catalyst for future development on the city’s east side, Bunch said.
“People are wanting to be part of it and that’s a great enhancement,” he said. “I think it’s going to be nothing but positive in terms of cosmetics over there.”
Brown said The Marian Group intends to reach out to neighbors once the development is built. The facility plans to open in February 2020, according to the company’s current timeline.
“Our goal is to strengthen the neighborhood and strengthen the overall city,” he said.
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1928: Building opens as part of the East Columbus school system.
1948: Renamed State Street School in 1946, it was used to serve students until 1973.
1973: Converted to use as a county office building.
December 2015: The 87-year-old former Bartholomew County Annex building was demolished after serving as a county office building for more than 40 years.
November 2016: Columbus Regional Health, through its real estate holding company, Southeastern Indiana Medical Holdings, acquire the 2.4-acre property at 1971 State St. through a property swap with Bartholomew County government. The hospital system had considered it as a potential site for the Volunteers in Medicine program, but abandoned that idea due to changing health care rules.
July 2018: The Marian Group, based in Louisville, Kentucky, proposes a four-story, 114-unit building that would be used as an affordable assisted-living facility.
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Columbus City Council will be asked to approve the 2.47-acre site at 1971 State St. as an Economic Revitalization Area during its 6 p.m. meeting Aug. 21. The Marian Group will also be seeking a tax abatement for the project that will also be considered by the council at that meeting.
Council members will be asked to issue up to $15.5 million in revenue bonds for the project during its October meeting.
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