University District: New Walgreens, Unique Renovation Discussed by Board

A new Walgreens pharmacy will be coming to 1782 N. High St. Representatives of the national chain received approval for new signage and minor exterior modifications to the building from the University Impact District Review Board at its March 24 meeting.

Built in 1909, the two-story brick building was home to an Urban Outfitters for 23 years. Last summer, Easton Town Center announced that the Urban Outfitters had relocated to the shopping center.

Also heard by the board this month was a proposal to renovate a unique pair of buildings at 21 E. Arcadia Ave. The two 1940s-era buildings were originally built for streetcar storage but in recent years had been owned by AEP and were used as utility buildings.

The site was rezoned for residential use in 2017, but that effort to turn the buildings into residences never moved forward. The property changed hands last summer and the new owner – listed as 21 East LLC – is looking to turn the east building into a single family home and the building on the western edge of the property into a five-bedroom rental house.

Documents submitted to the city list local developer Chad Seiber and his company Midnight Blue as the owner. Plans call for a one-story addition on the east building, a landscaped courtyard and parking area in the front yard, and new windows and doors to bring light into the mostly bricked-in buildings.

The board voted to approve the necessary variances for the project, but the applicant will need to come back for further review of the design.

For more information on the University Impact District Review Board, see www.columbus.gov.