OREGON, Ohio — Don Walendzak is the owner of East Point Physical Therapy in Oregon right next to the future town center. He's also the landlord of his neighbors.
"I think it was a really big selling point for my building," he said.
There's also an East Point Physical Therapy location in Perrysburg on Fremont Pike, right across the street from French Quarter Square.
The developers who made French Quarter Square are River Rock Property Group, the same developers of the town center in Oregon.
Walendzak said he's seen what the developers can do.
"If the developer is able to reproduce a property like Perrysburg has in the Old French Quarter area, then I think it'll be a home run for Oregon, I really do," he said.
Joel Mazur, Oregon city administrator, said city council agreed to buy out its current lease on the property for $4.5 million, bringing the town center one step closer to fruition.
City leaders said the purchase from a non-tax bond and will be paid back over time. It was a necessary step, according to Mazur, and will save the city and taxpayers money in the long run.
"The developer needs the city to acquire the property through this lease arrangement," he said. "They can secure their tenant leases and they can secure financing for the construction of the project."
While he understands a project as large as the Oregon town center takes time, Walendzak looks forward to seeing new restaurants across from his doors, which he said has been on his mind since he built his building two decades ago.
"Even to stop in after work and go with the staff and enjoy a drink or something," Walendzak said. "Now that's 20-something years ago and maybe it'll happen."
Mazur said the next step of the process is to get site plans from the developer.
There is still no word on what will be built on the land.