The Yellow Springs Development Corporation held its first meeting since incorporating on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the WYSO Community Room. Listening to YSDC President Lisa Abel facilitate are, from left, Eric Henry (Greene County Department of Development), Lisa Kreeger, obscured (Village Council), Karen Wintrow (Chamber of Commerce), Don Hollister (Miami Township), Steve McQueen (school board) and Hannah Montgomery (Antioch College). (Submitted photo by Dan Carrigan)
2020 Year in Review: Yellow Springs Development Corporation
- Published: January 7, 2021
A new economic development organization started up in the village this year.
The Yellow Springs Development Corporation, or YSDC, is a quasi-governmental, nonprofit corporation that has been designated by the Village of Yellow Springs and Miami Township as their official Community Improvement Corporation, or CIC. The group also has representation from Yellow Springs Schools, Antioch College and the Yellow Springs Community Foundation. Its first meeting was Feb. 4.
The group worked primarily on two activities: exploring the possibility of siting “an educational commons” on the Antioch College campus, and selling the former Miami Township fire station on Corry Street, which was set to be vacated after trustees and the fire department moved in November to their new facility across town. The group also helped distribute local coronavirus relief to businesses.
In December, the YSDC announced that it had sold the fire station to nationally known comedian and village resident Dave Chappelle, who intends to open a comedy club. The group approved the sale in September amidst several other offers and by a nearly unanimous vote. Chappelle’s plans call for a performance space, restaurant and two outdoor patios and a capacity of 140. No sale price was disclosed and the purchase is set to close within a few months.
YSDC member Patrick Lake led an effort to create an “educational commons” on the Antioch campus involving a collaboration of several local educational institutions, including the local schools and college, along with Agraria and the Community Children’s Center. The community foundation gave an initial grant of $15,000 for “site design and concept development.” In December, the group moved forward with soil sampling on the south end of campus. Another possible site, on the north side of campus near where the former student union is located, is also being eyed.
Voting members of the group in 2020 were YS Community Foundation board president Lisa Abel, who is also the YSDC president; Karen Wintrow of the YS Chamber of Commerce (who later left town and the group); Corrie Van Ausdal, representing Miami Township; Council members Lisa Kreeger and Marianne MacQueen; Hannah Spirrison of Antioch College; township Trustee Don Hollister; school board members Steve McQueen and Steve Conn; and Lake, the citizen representative.
Ex-officio members of the group were YS Schools Superinterinent Terri Holden, YS Community Foundation Executive Director Jeannamarie Cox, Village Manager Josué Salmerón, and Village Council President Brian Housh.
One Response to “2020 Year in Review: Yellow Springs Development Corporation”
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2/3 of the way down this link gives the powers that the YSDC has. I am not sure many want an appointed board to be able to buy and sell without advertising at below market value. Etc
https://ohioauditor.gov/trainings/lgoc/2016/Community%20Improvement%20Corporations%20(CICs).pdf