The Columbus Redevelopment Authority is currently speaking with several interested developers looking to take large chunks of the five-block Burns Bottom redevelopment project.
At the board’s regular meeting Wednesday at Mitchell McNutt and Sams law firm, CRA Board Attorney Jeff Turnage told The Dispatch the board has been in discussions with several developers but cannot reveal further details or whether any developers are under contract.
“I think it’s fair to say they’re interested in the entire Burns Bottom district,” Turnage said. “We can’t really say anything much given the requests of the folks we are talking with to keep it silent until they’re ready to do so.”
CRA has been working to acquire 73 parcels in the Burns Bottom project area between a five-block area near the Roger Short Soccer Complex — between Third and Fourth streets and Second and Seventh avenues north. The CRA also submitted requests for proposals earlier this year and has been marketing the project.
The CRA was established in 2015 to target redevelopment in the city’s urban renewal zone, which includes Burns Bottom. The city council in 2017 approved issuing a $3.2 million bond for CRA for land acquisition, site prep and marketing in Burns Bottom. It also completed the sale of the old Lee Middle School to a private developer, who converted the school into apartments and an event space.
During the meeting, the CRA also approved an application to submit a Planned Unit Development to the Columbus Planning Commission.
If approved, the form will combine the zoning requirements for the different-sized lots within the project area and establish more mixed zoning for the project.
Board Member Chris Chain said the application could go before the planning commission at its next meeting Monday, and will be a vital step to preparing the project area for developers.
“This is something that we didn’t have to do (right away) until we got to the point of getting all the properties,” Chain said. “Once we got to the point of getting all those properties, we’re now able to help move on this (PUD).”
Chain added that people could see work start on the Burns Bottom project before the end of this year.
“We’ve really put this (project) in a sequence of steps,” he said. “All the stars are starting to line up and when those stars line up, we could possibly have that this year.”
Woody’s on the Water
Chain also said the Woody’s on the Water building, located at the Columbus Marina, has seen roof and exterior wall damage, and may need work to market the building for sale properly.
In 2020, the CRA agreed to assist in marketing the building for the city, and has spent nearly $41,000 in expenses to help the project along. Those costs include paying delinquent taxes dating back to the previous property owner, totaling about $30,000 and around $11,000 to purchase and install a propane tank and a building survey.
The board moved to approve an evaluation of the building and would bid out work on its own if the damage totaled less than $7,500.
The board also agreed it may ask the city council to pay for those repairs as part of its deal to split revenues from the building sale with the city, CRA President Marthalie Porter said.
Porter added that a decision will come after an evaluation of the damage is complete.
“We’re in the inquiry process right now,” Porter said. “So, we’re going to go find out what it is that needs to be done, get some bids, and then we’ll be making some calls.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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