By By Ben Alexander/The Meridian Star
March 14, 2001
Chris Chain says he is anxiously awaiting the construction of Newell Paper Company's new distribution center, biding the time until he can begin his own construction work.
Chain, a developer who works for Columbus-based Downtown Properties LLC, purchased Newell's warehouse offices in January 2000.
Company officials plan to renovate the 70,000-square-foot warehouse facility, located on Front Street, into downtown apartments. Downtown Properties has already renovated several buildings on Front Street, turning them into historic apartments and six specialty shops, ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,500 square feet.
Chain said renovation on the warehouse property has been set back because of delays on the construction of Newell's new 100,000-square-foot facility on Grand Avenue.
Chain says Downtown Properties designers are making the most of the delays, using the time to develop careful planning for when work begins.
The new apartments will be a little different from those already built by Downtown Properties.
Ben Alexander is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at balexander@themeridianstar.com.