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Commercial building boom continues in village
(by Joan Demirjian - August 04, 2010)
Commercial building boom continues in village
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Signs of revitalization continue on a strip of East Washington Street in South Russell.
One of the most visible improvements involves renovations to a restaurant building for the new Pannini's restaurant. Another vacant restaurant building is being rebuilt for the Burntwood Tavern.
Spaces at the former Milbar building are being occupied with new business tenants as well.
"It's great, at a time when the economy is not doing well," South Russell Mayor Brett said. "It's nice to see it filling up."
The area on East Washington Street is a center of commercial activity in the village. A smaller commercial area is at Bell and Chillicothe (Route 306) roads.
There are about 150 businesses in the village, and the majority, about 110, are concentrated in the East Washington Street area, Mr. Brett said.
"I think more businesses there will attract other businesses," he said. "It's nice to see them filling up with tenants and doing well. The facilities are being spruced up.
"It's good to see the whole area more active and people doing improvements to their properties," Mr. Brett said. "Someone might stop to eat and then visit another business.
"If someone is going to the day care, they might also go to the cycle shop. All the businesses benefit."
The goal is help the area thrive and attract new businesses, he said.
In turn, the village benefits from the income tax and property taxes being generated, Mr. Brett said. "It's an important piece of the whole puzzle."
The building occupied by Panini's was empty for four years.
Milbar, with about 40,000 square feet of floor space, closed about seven years ago. It is now Washington Center. "David Jezek bought the buildings and he's done quite a bit redoing the front and the space in the back," Mr. Brett said.
There is a dance studio and preschool and a yoga business already is expanding.
The building fronts are all occupied. There is also warehouse space in the back of the building, Dave Hocevar, village building commissioner, said.
Mr. Hocevar said the village and Mr. Brett have been supportive of the businesses.
Personal services traditionally have been permitted in the business districts in the village, including along East Washington Street.
Recently, the definition of personal services was expanded, and fitness centers and yoga were among uses included. The zoning now encompasses electronic repairs, dance and tanning salons.
Snap Fitness opened and is owned by Bill and Kristen Chilton. It is open 24 hours, seven days a week and offers strength, cardio and personal service training, as well as small-group exercise programs, Mr. Chilton said.
On the north side of East Washington Street, Craig Cawrse completed his office-building renovations, Mr. Hocevar said.
The village board of architectural review approved the plans for the Burntwood Tavern to open in a building that had been used by several restaurants.
At the village line with Chagrin Falls, the building is being totally renovated. Tom Long owns the building at 504 E. Washington St. that will house the tavern to be run by restaurant owner Brett Adam.
Christian Kaylinyak, of Process Art, is builder and designer, and is building the furniture and cabinetry. The business is expected to open in September.
Old barns have been taken down from other properties, and the weathered wood and beams are being used inside of the new restaurant and a cupola from one of the barns has been set on the roof.
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