The Columbus Development Commission has approved the plan to redevelop the former Schumacher Place Giant Eagle.
On February 11, the commission voted 3-2 in support of the redevelopment of the former neighborhood grocery store at 280 E. Whittier Ave. The project, lead by Pizzuti and designed by architect NBBJ, has undergone several transformations over the past year while discussions about the project have been ongoing.
The proposal presented in September 2020 had called for a five-story building with 330 apartments and storefronts along E. Whittier St. As it stands now, the development will feature 262 apartments, 8,250 square feet of retail space, and a parking garage with one spot for each apartment. There will also be 17 spaces of street parking and the buildings have been reduced to 4.5 and 3.5 stories.
The project has been met with resistance from Schumacher Place residents, who take issue with the height of the buildings, which will be signifigantly taller than other buildings in the neighborhood.
The most recent meeting discussing the project had commissioners divided. While some thought the development was too large and overwhelming, others thought the developers had done enough to blend the project into the neighborhoods surroundings.
The final decision about the project now lies with Columbus City Council, who are expected to vote on the development next month.
