Court Street has four empty venues: the former Woolworth's beneath Skyview Apartments, 31 S. Court St., the city-owned Armory building, 2 W. Carpenter St., at the northern end of Court Street, the former Burger King, 28 S. Court St., next to the Athena Cinema, and Taco Bell's former location 41 S. Court St.
Woolworth's and the Armory closed in 1994, Burger King closed in 2002 and Taco Bell relocated to its East State Street location in April.
The recently closed Happy Kobe, 30 W. Union St., is looking for new tenants as well.
However, Larry Payne, the Athens Chamber of Commerce member services coordinator, holds a positive view of how things have played out.
The downtown market has changed in the last 15 years or so. It used to be a community outlet and now it has become a service sector economy to college students
he said. We've been pretty lucky with a vibrant downtown.
Taxes and lost selling opportunities are the major concerns for property owners and businesses on Court Street, Payne said.
The Athens County Auditor's office appraises the property value of Burger King's former location, to be $801,540. With much of its 10,989 square feet being basement storage space, the property appeals to a more limited market, said Payne.
In addition, the owners of this property are behind on their $54,325.83 yearly property tax payments, according to an e-mail from Athens County Treasurer JaVon Kittle Cooper. Landowners William H. Trembly & Associates did not return calls for this story.
Businesses such as fast-food restaurants on Court Street are not able to have drive-through windows, which contribute significantly to sales, said Payne. Taco Bell has benefited from the drive-through at the new East State Street location, he said.
The owners of Taco Bell's former location, Best of Athens Rentals, would not comment on the vacancy for this story.
Ohio University's quarter system also puts businesses on Court Street at a disadvantage, Payne said. With Ohio Univerisity students out of town for the six-week winter break, retail shops uptown lose potential customers during the holiday buying season. This could be a reason why stores are reluctant to place a heavy investment in to a Court Street location, Payne said.
The owner of the Happy Kobe building did not comment for this story.
The owners of Skyview Apartments and 31 S. Court St. could not be reached for comment, and calls to the mayor's office about the Armory were not returned. 17
Archives
Ryan Dunn
While Court Street may seem like prime real estate in Athens, there are still buildings that are unoccupied and collecting dust.
