BY ANNA GUIDO
Enquirer Contributor
FAIRFIELD -- From a dog racing track to a drive-in theater, the ACME Business Park on Ohio 4 has had several lives.
Developers of the business park believe the current incarnation will be the final one, and is a precursor to what Ohio 4 will become early next century -- a haven for service establishments and light industry as the busy corridor moves away from small shopping strip centers.
A corridor study of Ohio 4 land use, traffic and other development issues was launched in August by the Fairfield planning department. "We believe the study will enhance the park's possibilities," said Fairfield Realtor John V. Griesmer.
Mr. Griesmer and Sonya Ferguson are marketing the ACME project for developer Harry Thomas.
Mr. Griesmer said the business park has 12 vacant lots -- one is seven acres and zoned for light industrial use, and the others are one to 1 1/2 acres and zoned for commercial or light industrial use. "It's a business park because most of the lots are for businesses, but we're also hoping to have a fast-food restaurant and drug store," Mr. Griesmer said.
So far, ACME has a Dairy Mart, and Kraus Co., which supplies equipment to metal fabricators, has signed a deal to relocate to Acme Business Park from rental property elsewhere in Fairfield.
"There's a lot of activity along Route 4, and this is among the last (of the) largest plats," Mr. Griesmer said. "The fact that the study is being done makes our park more attractive."
Some of the issues being examined in the corridor study:
What is the market of Ohio 4?
Is space along Ohio 4 best used for retail development?
And if so, can Ohio 4 compete favorably with nearby and regional retail centers?
"We just feel it's time to revisit Route 4, and one of the major reasons we're doing this is because of the amount of vacant store fronts we have," Fairfield Planning Director Tim Bachman said.
One example is the former Central Hardware building on Ohio 4 at Hicks Boulevard. The property was vacant for six years before being purchased this year by Merck-Medco, a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company that plans to employ 500 at its Fairfield facility.
"This isn't retail. But with several companies like this, the need for retail and service businesses will improve," Mr. Bachman said.
Having pockets of retail and service businesses among such projects as ACME Business Park may be the key to a thriving economy along Ohio 4, Mr. Bachman said.
