By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The former Woodville Mall site in Northwood has been an eyesore since it shut down in 2012. The sprawling mall sat abandoned for years, until the city purchased the 120-acre site for $200,000, tore down the shopping center, and abated 18 acres of sprayed on asbestos.
“It’s finally down,” said Glenn Grisdale, a planner with Reveille working with Northwood. “Most people don’t understand how important it was for the community to get it down.”
The asphalt remains on the former mall site, since it covers 16 inches of stone, and would be very costly to remove.
“It’s a big eyesore for the community,” Grisdale said.
Northwood officials are now trying to revive the acreage – turning it into a development supported by the community.
Mayor Ed Schimmel, City Administrator Bob Anderson and Grisdale explained the plan Tuesday to the Wood County Commissioners.
The city officials were not seeking financial help from the county – but just moral support, which the commissioners were willing to give.
Earlier this year, a community visioning session was held to get ideas from city residents for the property. They were asked if they wanted a golf course – to which residents declined. They were asked if they wanted an industry – to which they also rejected.
What they wanted was a new neighborhood, with parks and with a “Main Street” feel to it.
It’s been 10 years since Northwood has seen a new residential area, Schimmel said.
“We need new neighborhoods,” Grisdale said.
So the solution for the site was determined to be a development called “The Enclave.” The development would include a variety of residential lot sizes, town houses, senior housing, and assisted living. Zoning has been updated to allow for greater density and four-story buildings.
It would also have commercial areas and community areas for events like farmers markets.
“It will have some sort of a Main Street feel,” Grisdale said. “They really liked it,” he said of the city residents.
The project will make use of tax increment financing and a Community Reinvestment Area, and will work with the city school district to make sure it is on board. It will also tie in with the Woodville Road corridor project, which is focusing on pedestrian connectivity and placing a roundabout at Lemoyne and Woodville roads to ease congestion.
City officials also want to work on beautifying its major interchanges – at Interstate 75 and Wales Road, and at Interstate 280 and Woodville Road. Both are the first interchanges in Wood County for traffic from the north.
Anderson acknowledged the city has a big job ahead.
“These are the ideas we started with,” and they will likely be changed as the project moves forward, he said. “At least it’s a starting point.”
