June 30, 2011
German Village Meeting Haus
Court overturns tax-exempt status By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers The German Village Society must return to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals to seek tax-exempt status for the Meeting Haus. The Ohio Supreme Court last week overturned a decision by the board of tax appeals that granted a property-tax exemption to the facility, 588 S. Third St.
The ruling gives Columbus City Schools, which stands to gain a substantial portion of the property-tax money, the opportunity to weigh in on the matter. At issue is the society’s failure to notify the school board of its decision to appeal a tax commissioner’s ruling denying the exemption. Furthermore, the board of tax appeals erred when it did not properly notify the school board of
the existence of the appeal, the court said. The GVS filed for exemption of the property taxes in 2003, which would have been retroactive to 2000. The tax commissioner in August 2006 denied the society’s application, a decision that was directly appealed to the board of tax appeals. The board of tax appeals approved the tax exemption in 2009, meaning all
taxes paid since 2000 were reimbursed to the society. The GVS purchased the property in 1987 and, after a major renovation project, moved permanently into the building in 1991. The tax savings since the exemption have averaged $17,000 per year, said David O’Neil, spokesman for the Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo. Last year, the society saved
$23,917 in property taxes, based on the property’s current valuation of $891,300, O’Neil said. Jim Hopple, a member of the GVS board of trustees, said the society has set aside money because of the legal dispute. “It would not be a big hit for the society because we have not spent the money,” he said. See COURT, page A2
Red, White & Boom
HAUS UND GARTEN TOUR
Open Civic Center Drive should offer better view of fireworks By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Photos by Tim Norman/ThisWeek
(Above) People line up along South Lazelle Street as they wait to enter Cathi Jones’ home at 922. S. Lazelle St. during the 52nd annual Haus und Garten Tour on Sunday, June 26. (Right) Ashley Meyer and John Wyatt of German Village explore the patio of Jones’ home, which was one of 13 stops on the annual tour.
Many spectators at the 31st annual Red, White & Boom will have a waterfront view for the fireworks display. For the past three years, construction has limited access to a good portion of land along the Scioto River. Now, the city has opened Civic Center Drive from Broad Street to Main Street. “It’s one of the best viewing areas of the city to watch the fireworks. It’s right across the river,” said Mike Collins, executive director of Red, White & Boom. Bicentennial Park and the Scioto Mile promenade won’t open until next week, he said. The city is expecting half-a-million people at the fireworks display, set for 10 p.m. July 1. The number of food vendors — representing a variety of cuisines — has increased by about 15 percent, which is expected to eliminate long lines, Collins said. Youngsters in grades 8-12 will participate in an inaugural talent contest, to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in Genoa Park on the west side of the river near COSI. A committee reviewed dozens of tapes to pick the contest finalists, who will be asked to sing a patriotic song. Many traditional activities will return this year, including the Taste of Boom, featuring samples from about a dozen restaurants in the Arena District. There will be a nominal fee for each dish. Beer sales will be offered. There also will be live entertainment in the Arena District, with bands performing at both stages in the area. The children’s area will open at noon on the west side of Neil Avenue between Long and Spring streets. See FIREWORKS, page A3
Historical New shop features premium coffee, chocolates society plans eventful July By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers
A new store offering artisan chocolates and premium coffees is expected to open in German Village the first week of July. Winans Fine Chocolates & Coffees is set to take over a 1,000-square-foot space at 897 S. Third St., at the corner of Whittier Street. Jason and Brittany Bainum of Gahanna are opening the store with Joe Reiser and Laurie Winans Reiser, who own the Piqua-based business. The Bainums said they were impressed by the goods made by Winans, which has five stores in the greater Dayton market. See NEW SHOP, page A2
By Tim Norman/ThisWeek
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The 2011 Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games were held June 24-26 at various locations in the Columbus area. To view a multimedia presentation on opening day, visit ThisWeekNews.com.
Laurie Winans Reiser (right) gives out samples to German Village resident Colleen Stephen (left) and Grandview Heights resident Louise Dean at Winans Fine Chocolates & Coffees, which will open in July at 897 S. Third St.
By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers The Ohio Historical Society is planning a July like no other. Kicking things off July 1, the historical society will unveil four new exhibits that underscore the organization’s new motto: “Let’s Explore Ohio.” It’s all in an effort to attract a wider audience to the historical society, which is celebrating its 126th anniversary this year, said Jane Mason, director of marketing and communications for the organization. See HISTORICAL SOCIETY, page A2
Arts, eats and fun in central Ohio
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