In an unusual move, the Downtown Commission gave its approval to the demolition of three buildings in the Short North/Arena District area, with the resulting lots to be used for parking — at least temporarily.

The buildings slated to be demolished are two attached one-story brick office structures on one site and the former End Zone nightclub on the other. The Lewin family partnership, which owns the properties, still must work with the city on final approvals.

While surface parking lots are anathema to urban planners, there's a near-term purpose: The surface parking lots are expected to be needed while the nearby North Market and a new AC Hotel by Marriott on Park Street are under construction.

"We don't encourage demolition," said Daniel J. Thomas, urban design manager for the city of Columbus, at the Downtown Commission's meeting Tuesday. Thomas said the commission generally backs replacement of an existing building only for a "higher use."

Two of the three buildings in question are vacant. The End Zone folded in 2014. Aaron Underhill, an attorney for the Lewin family, said a masonry contractor on a month-to-month lease in the third building is planning to move soon. That space was formerly occupied by Hamilton Parker, a commercial and residential design firm owned by the Lewin family. It moved to Leonard Avenue several years ago.

Commission members gave unanimous approval to the plan. Underhill said that while no deals have been signed, the owners have been in active discussions with the developers of the hotel, Continental Real Estate Cos., and the three finalists chosen by the city who are vying to redevelop the North Market.

Adam Lewin said the family "fully recognizes that this is not the highest and best use" of the lots in the long run, but "it's what's needed right now."

Lewin said his family has been approached many times in the past couple of years by people interested in the properties, but has opted to take a cautious approach to development. He told commissioners he "would expect to see vertical construction" on the sites within a few years, after the nearby hotel and North Market projects are done.

The city expects final proposals from the three North Market finalists — Nationwide Realty Investments, Pizzuti and the Wood Company/Schiff Capital Group — early next month. A winning proposal is expected to be announced by the end of February.

mrose@dispatch.com

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