Mike Wolanin | The Republic An exterior view of The Commons through a c-shaped bike rack in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022.
Redevelopment officials are hoping that the former Subway space at The Commons may soon be home to a new tenant.
The city has received a couple of inquiries about the space and is in the process of reviewing a proposal, said Redevelopment Director Heather Pope.
“We will hopefully be ready to pass it along to the (redevelopment) commission the week of the 24th,” she said. “And then we’ll have an executive session to discuss the proposal and see if there are any additional questions and then hopefully be able to get that space leased yet this year.”
Subway, which was located inside The Commons’ food court, left the center in July 2021 after being closed for several months amid the pandemic. Orange Leaf, also located in the food court, terminated its lease in late 2021 but eventually reopened in 2022 under new management and ownership.
More recently, Bucceto’s Smiling Teeth Pizza and Pasta, another Commons tenant, has given the city notice that it does not intend to renew its lease.
Pope shared the news with the Columbus Redevelopment Commission in January, stating that owner Paul Heilbrunn has had health issues and is not able to keep the location open in addition to his two branches in Bloomington.
“Bucceto’s lease will expire on June 8,” she said at the commission’s April 17 meeting. “We’ve had several inquiries on this space and have facilitated a tour. We’ve had a handful of virtual meetings with some interested parties but really nothing committed. Nothing has really moved forward.”
Unlike Subway and Orange Leaf, Bucceto’s is not located inside the Common’s food court but instead has an external entrance.
