DevolsDance

Missed this call out, apologies. Short story, kind of. Best I could get was that the timeline Rockwell announced does not include the site excavation because that will be handled separately by a company with a background in such things. Sounds like it is maybe both, we will see movement before next summer on the project but we will probably not see foundations and big earth movement until mid 2021.

- OSU files a final site compliance plan today with the city for the new Hospital tower. https://portal.columbus.gov/permits/ Record 20345-389 WMC Inpatient Hospital Tower Construction of a 27 Story medical center and associated underground utilities to serve the new facility. I imagine we should be seeing renders soon if they are moving into the early permitting stages.

Kaufman plans to return to the VVC tomorrow with an updated design for Price /2nd Ave Project. Overall the meeting notes from March show support for the project from the commissioners, much more support than the previous tower options. The only pushback was that the building seemed heavy and muddled by too many dark materials, commissioners requested lighter materials like the Moxy or White Castle buildings. Additionally, the commission asked for more living/green walls, was pleased with massing and scale. Updated renders below.

The permits hit the FAA this morning. I was slightly off in my scaling, to my surprise and excitement the total hight will clock in at 361' tall! Additionally, the crane permits were filed! They will be using a 407' tower crane with a permit start of 7/1/2020. Doesn't mean that it will be up 7/1 but that means it should be going up soon.

Looks like the developer of the surface lot along 2nd Ave has returned with an updated proposal. Most interestingly is the developer has also included a letter of hardship regarding setback variances. The current requirements are 10' and the developer is asking for a reduction to 4' or zero in some places. The commission pushed back in the previous iteration regarding setback reductions impacting the availability of "light and air" to surrounding structures. Curious to see how they respond this time around. Updated renders

I have an update on this, long story short is Parks & Rec has shut off the fountain due to "essential staffing reductions". It seems that while the fountain pumps were working as designed, the pond/fountain pump filters still require weekly cleaning. With reductions in staffing due to COVID related budget concerns, they temporarily paused many auxiliary tasks associated with the parks. No updates on when it could be flipped back on.

I had been told the project was still slated to move forward, earlier than Rockbridge is stating. I am curious if it got delayed as a result of the COVID crash or if that is just when things will start going big. I know the project requires some extensive "pre-construction" work due to the cemetery and utilities, and general site constraints. I am gonna check in with some people and see if I can get some updates.

The Downtown AC Hotel, not a ton has progressed on the exterior but the project did present its signage package for approval to the Downtown Commission today. Enjoy.

Parks Edge III. The project has already gone vertical. Level 1 columns poured and going up! Enjoy.

Went on a little construction tour yesterday and grabbed some progress images. Hilton II Tower. Enjoy.

Quick render update - Harrison Park Hotel Walking by this morning I noticed they have put renders on the construction fencing, the first real renders I've seen actually. Anyway, I present the most generic and lackluster design for a hotel one could pick! All I have to say right now is... Oye.

Nope, I have some construction connections and they said the project is still slated for a late summer groundbreaking.

Yep! There were actually more engineering and site plan applications files with the city last week. All pieces are still chugging along!

Here you go @jebleprls22 I was able to pull up what the city approved, should be the final plan under construction.

I haven't been able to locate one either unfortunately.

Not sure what the plan or scale of the project will be but it looks like the owner of 199 E Rich is gearing up to redevelop the property. https://portal.columbus.gov/permits/ Record# 20601-00056 All the application reveals is a mixed use site plan submitted and that Korda is the engineer on record and Bluestone Brothers are the developer. Bluestone developed 223 E Town just down the street, with them I don't imagine it'll be any kind of mind-blowing project but it will likely be a solid addition to the area. I imagine we will see something soon at a Downtown Commission meeting if they are already permitting site plan. Looks like they own the whole block according to the auditors site.

The IVC agenda for March has been posted https://www.columbus.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=2147514383 Looks like the 2nd & 6th street development is back on the agenda with an updated design. - Develop a 5 story (stepped down to 4 stories) mixed use building at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 6th street. - Proposed landscaping, per submitted site plan. - Development to include 2500 SF of retail/ restaurant space and 155 residential units. - Parking garage to include 155 spaces including 8 accessible spaces -Separate 2-level concrete parking structure (1-2 bays wide) will provide additional parking for the existing commercial tenants. Additionally, looks like we may get a peek at the 11-story tower in Jeffrey Park, it's been placed up for conceptual review. - Construction of an 11 story building that includes a mix of office and residential units, as well as a 7 story parking garage.

Definitely not my best picture ever (sorry I was on my bike), but the project at 5th and Highland has kicked into full gear. Underground garage has started concrete pours and the street level has been shored up. Sorry again for the angle, but enjoy!

Just some construction updates from this weekend since the weather was great. First up is the project at 3rd & High The project has capped out and the old Family Dollar continues to deteriorate. Next up is the residential portion of the Grandview Mercantile at Price & High. This project has also capped out and exterior brickwork and paneling has started to be installed. BONUS PICTURE I wanted to include this picture to show the structures relation to the area around it seeing as the Kaufman proposal has returned (BTW its on the March VVC docket again). Hmm, kind of feels like a mixed use project would contextually make more sense here than a crumbling surface lot, but then again.. the sunlight! Enjoy!

None of these residents have any grasp of how development works and the commissions, instead of explaining or discussing, just rally behind the residents with pitchforks. It has become one of the most maddening and frustrating things to repeatedly witness.

Well it wasn't just the height they were against, they also didn't like that "It looks like those modern skyscrapers they're building all over the Short North and ruining the area" and that "Hotels are not appropriate for German Village". Yeah, the residents and commissioners are THAT level of NIMBY with this project.

I believe you can only appeal the official design that was submitted and voted on, any changes will restart the process. However, the design presented and was voted upon this week was actually the 5-story version on the plan capping at 55' tall, not the shorter 42' tall version presented in January to try and win over the residents.

Now that a vote has officially been taken by the GVC, I imagine the developer will take it to the appeals commission. If the developer can plead the right case for the panel (ROI and architectural quality), I think there is a chance this could be overturned and allowed to proceed. It is incredibly rare an overturn happens but based on the property location, the fact no historic demolitions are part of the plan, and a documented willingness by the developer to work with the neighborhood, I can see the review panel being more favorable towards the project.

Small project update/bump for the Schottenstein residential project at 3rd & Long Facade repair and restoration happening on the original structure along 3rd St. Glass has been installed on the addition and is slowly working its way around. Bonus sighting, 230 E Long lurking and progressing n the background. Finally, a view of the addition from the 3rd & Long side of the project where its wraps the Budget building. Enjoy!

I have good news for both of you, things should actually start progressing here much quicker soon. I have been told the early stages are focused on utility relocation and the tunnel under High, but the foundation work will kick into high gear as it get warmer and the schedule has steel rising by mid-June/early July!