The empty space where the former Sears Auto Parts Store once stood in downtown Columbus would become part of an improved parking lot for Cummins employees, under a plan being considered by the city.

Cummins has an application into the Columbus Plan Commission to revamp the entire space at the corner of Brown and Third Streets into a better employee parking lot. According to the application from the company, the former auto parts store was recently demolished and now the company wants to rework the lot, building islands, installing landscaping and reconfiguring the spaces for maximum parking .

The company has to apply for a modification from the existing site development plan for the location filed with the city because it wants to add landscaping outside of the required five foot setback from the street. Instead the company plans to install sidewalks and the landscaping would go on the Brown Street right of way.

The auto parts store was in the parking lot at the tail end of what used to be The Commons. Cummins has transformed the former Sears store itself into working space for employees.

The city/county planning department staff is recommending that if there is an approval it be with the conditions that lights be only a maximum of 25 feet in height, and that landscaping along Brown Street be centered in the grass/landscape area provided.

The plan commission meets at 4 p.m. tomorrow afternoon at Columbus City Hall.