BY PATRICK DEIGNAN
OCT. 23, 2007
Oxford business districts could look very different a few years from now. At least, that’s the hope of Miami University’s Associated Student Government (ASG).
Several vacant storefronts, including a fire-damaged Wendy’s, currently inhabit Oxford’s uptown area. There is also an abandoned Wal-Mart and a former Big Lots store collecting dust on Locust Street.
ASG Secretary for Off-Campus Affairs Jen House is working with the Student Alcohol Task Force to transform these unused buildings into entertainment options for students.
“Right now we’re working on a proposal to decrease the drinking culture at Miami,” House said.
House said that the empty Wal-Mart is wasting valuable space. She hopes the large lot can be transformed into a community center for students and Oxford residents.
House explained that Vanderbilt University encountered a similar situation with a vacant warehouse near its campus.
“They turned an empty warehouse into a sort of community center,” House said. “They built a skate park, a coffee shop, and concert venue.”
She explained that a similar community center would be beneficial for Oxford.
There are no definite plans for the lot yet, but House is optimistic that a plan could be formed by Thanksgiving.
“Right now, we’re doing the legwork,” House said.
ASG has also voiced concern about the burnt-out Wendy’s on the corner of High and Main streets. Off-Campus Sen. Mike Scott and Andrew Ferguson co-wrote legislation encouraging the City of Oxford and High and Main Development LLC to take action to redevelop the unused real estate.
“We thought we should turn up the heat a little bit,” Scott said, “put pressure on all parties involved.”
While the legislation has no direct impact on the former Wendy’s site, Scott still believes the bill will be useful.
“It’s another tool that can be used by the city to make a change,” Scott said. “The worst case scenario is that public attention is raised and a conversation begins. The best case scenario is that we see a change by the time the school year is ended.”
House and Scott recently brought the legislation to the City Council to make students’ voices heard.
“It went well,” House said. “For once, we’re all on the same page.”
Miami’s Coordinator of Off-Campus Affairs, Bobbe Burke, said students’ voices need to be heard for progress to be made on the Wendy’s building.
“They covered up the blue tarp with a brown one,” Burke said. “That’s progress.”
Another facility that ASG would like to see occupied is Stewart Square located on Spring and College streets. Construction of the buildings is complete but many of the units remain empty. Burke says that this is because of Oxford zoning laws.
“Right now spaces are too small to attract some retailers,” Burke said. “That’s
why we’re getting a lot of small sub shops and places like that.”
Burke explained that a Charter Amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot could solve that problem. If the amendment passes, businesses would be allowed more square feet for retail space in ground-level units while smaller apartment units could inhabit upper floors.
Under the current zoning laws, Oxford allows a maximum of three dwellings per building no matter how big the building might be.
Oxford City Community Development Director Jung-Han Chen explained that under the new zoning laws, large buildings could accommodate many more apartments while first floor space could be split into bigger parcels for businesses.
“We’re trying to accommodate a vibrant uptown atmosphere,” Chen said. “There will be a flexibility to accommodate a variety of businesses.”
House is optimistic the amendment will improve Oxford’s economic state.
“It could bring bigger businesses,” House said. “A lot of developers are waiting to see what happens.”
Until the amendment is voted on, House sees her role as representing student interests.
“We’re hoping to communicate what students would like to see there in the future,” House said.
House believes that ASG’s job is to make students aware of what is happening in the Oxford community.
“We are trying to inform students about ballot issues,” House said. “Everyone, even students, can vote on the Charter Amendment on Nov. 6.”
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