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Columbus Council Objects To Eight Liquor License Renewals, Approves Four Tax Breaks

Columbus City Council last night formally objected to the renewal of liquor licenses for eight local bars or carryouts the city says have a history of criminal activity. Assistant Columbus City Attorney Bill Sperlazza says one of those is the Moses One Stop Shop carryout on Cleveland Avenue.

Sperlazza says two of the eight are in the Short North, including the Cantina bar on Park Street.

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Another is the High Five Spice Emporium on North High Street.

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The city annually objects to problem establishments. Those objections go to the state division of liquor control. Council also approved a tax break for the Pizzuti Companies, a contributor to the campaigns of council members and the mayor, to turn a property at High Street and First Avenue into a commercial office and retail space. The deal is worth 3.1 million dollars. Council member Mike Stinziano sponsored the measure.

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Earlier this year, a draft of a city-funded study showed developers do not need incentives for residential construction in the Short North. Council also approved three other tax breaks, including one for a company to redevelop a closed big-box store on Alshire Road. Council also approved a new three-year contract with 15 hundred workers represented by the Communications Workers of America. The deal includes 3 percent wage increases and cuts the city's contribution to pension plans.  The deal was reached through fact-finding.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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