Sadie’s Take on Delaware

The City Center’s Shell

Originally uploaded by rockies73

Delaware has been one of the fastest growing counties in the nation – what alone the state – for nearly a decade.

That’s a good thing right? Well it depends on whom you talk with. But, there is one concern that many Delawarians are concerned about: empty buildings. I’m not necessarily speaking about the repossessed homes in your neighborhoods, but rather the desire for bigger and better businesses that leaves smaller buildings standing empty.

We’ve been able to watch this happen to several of Columbus’ shopping destinations over the past four or five years. At right, is a recent photograph of the City Center Mall in downtown Columbus. Once the envy of communities, every shoppers dream, and the “savior” of downtown Columbus it is now a very expensive parking garage and sidewalk. Can’t happen here?

How about the Branding Iron?
How about the Wal-Mart shopping center?
How about the Fifth Third in Westfield Shopping Center?

Sure these are not on stature of the City Center Mall, however every single one of them is a piece of the history being left vacant.

I’m not naive enough to think these properties are all perfect locations. For many of them, there have been changes in managment, changes in customer tastes, and simply a change in attitudes.

Let’s make sure that Delaware County stays on the front-lines in the battle to reduce, reuse, and redevelop.

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