OhioFinest

Ok, here is something else that I've been hiding....this one would be absolutely fantastic for Newark. It seems as if there is loosely a plan to save the old bowling alley in Downtown Newark. Yes, there i an old abandoned bowling alley in downtown Newark. For decades!! I cant state how awesome this project could be for Newark since the only other bowling alley in town was torn down last year. This would be a nice social night spot for people to go to with the way it looks to be done. It would be adjacent to the other areas already pointed out. Could be a game changer for Downtown Newark IMO. In the below pictures, it is the building highlighted in yellow.

Well lets just say i have some inside info. None of that is "official" yet that's why you haven't heard anything news worthy...yet. Below are the gravel surface lots that are highlighted in the above post.

I'm not going to try and persuade you, but Licking County is honestly a great place to live. Something that differentiates Licking County from say Delaware County is terrain. Delaware county is a lot flatter and plain. Central/Eastern Licking County gets into that first stage of beautiful rolling hills of Eastern Ohio . There are some absolutely amazing housing divisions being built in western Newark (Park Trails Subdivision) and Northern Newark (Planters Edge) that have some of the best geography in Central Ohio. Its a place i would love to build to be honest.

One more thing, this turnaround for Newark began about 10 years ago or so when the city passed a building levy to get all new schools. I think it was something like 12 new elementary schools, 2 new middle schools and a new high school. The remaining schools were all gutted and renovated. Newark also at the same time implemented a dress code/uniform. It wasn't like a super strict dress code, but more of a "Wildcat Line" of school clothing. Students could wear any of color combo of shirt and dress pants (Crimson, White, Black, Grey or Khaki) and on Fridays became school spirit days. I know it doesn't work for all school districts, but this 100% turned Newark's educational system around. It became less about what clique you were in or what you wearing and more about actual school. Newark historically averaged around 60-70% graduation rate do to unique circumstances. Newark City Schools achieved its highest graduation rate ever last year at 89% i believe. THIS has been the biggest reason this city has seen such a turnaround. EDUCATION!!! That leads to positive progress. The 161 highway expansion was like lighting the wick to the firework for Newark. Its been a vital role in Newark's remarkable turnaround. Now do we still have problems, absolutely, but the vibe is just different nowadays.

This thing is just giant cement block. Doesn't fit in at all

Let me clarify, Moe's has been open for over a year. These pictures aren't from Coronavirus era. My mistake on that. As for the Newark City Building....where do i push the "implode" button. The new city building design look and fits in waaaay better with the look of classic downtown Newark.

Yes, there's a HUGE gravel lot that has been bought up over the past few years by local philanthropist. In the below map, the area in Red, they will replace the current city building with a new one, plus a parking garage. In the area in Green, that's where the Printers Block Units will be. The area in Yellow will be where the Courthouse Row Condos will be. I hope that gives you a better visual.

I don’t at the moment, but I will make sure to find out for you. I know that what’s really big news is an attached public parking garage to that new City Building. You can see it on the far right of the pic. As part of the revitalization project, Newark has lost hundreds of public parking. This would be a major welcome to downtown. I also really like that Northpoint Architecture designed these buildings to look modern, but yet fit into the classic downtown look. Can’t wait to see these projects take shape.

These are some upcoming projects that are either in design phase, on the board or in construction for Downtown Newark. The investment in Downtown Newark continues. its absolutely unreal the momentum this city has. Even more amazing things are yet to come. Restoration of Ohio's first mall: The Newark Arcade Before/After (first 2 pics) Other projects in design phase include a new City Building and Condo/Loft Units and a new Bistro type of building.

Moe's Original Bar B Que has closed their Granville location and opened up an amazing restaurant in beautiful Downtown Newark. This place really has some cool vibes. It also has some really cool outdoor seating....plus the food is simply amazing!

Citizens of Newark came together for a rally Tuesday night in a truly truly amazing scene. Started with speakers, then a march around the courthouse square (see pics above), then music and dancing. The Newark police and sheriff took part and really worked well with BLM organizers and even broke out some smooth moves to the music. Couldn’t be more proud of my city. Newark has made tremendous strides. It a great time to live in Newark. https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/officers-dance-with-crowd-at-peaceful-protests-in-newark https://mobile.twitter.com/NewarkPD_OH_PIO/status/1267953534185635851?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fabc6onyourside.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fofficers-dance-with-crowd-at-peaceful-protests-in-newark

I hear you, and i'm seriously not trying to argue with you, but how is Newark never mentioned as a central city in the Columbus MSA? At the very least, this should absolutely change. For example...see the Official Ohio MSA list for Columbus below. How is Newark at the very least, not its own Micropolitan area like the ones listed? It just doesn't make any sense to me. Newark has been growing steadily over decades...at what point do we at least get a Columbus-Newark-Delaware CSA? Good conversation...i always find this stuff fascinating. lol

I'm really looking forward to seeing this when its all said and done. Low key turned into my favorite current construction project in Cbus.

Interesting...and why is that exactly though? I thought the criteria for an MSA, is a central city of at least 50,000 residents with surrounding communities? The Newark/Heath/Granville area is roughly 70,000 residents. I mean, it will never happen? If Akron and Canton have their own MSA's....why cant Newark? You can see how Newark being the central city of 50,000+ people, with its own 2 suburbs of Heath (11,000) and Granville (6,000) could be seen as its own MSA?

Sorry if this a dumb question, but i'm going to ask it again. Does anybody know officially, if Newark will now be considered its own MSA, since the City of Newark crossed the 50,000 mark and has a surrounding area of roughly 70,000 citizens? Or will it remain a part of the Columbus MSA? Thanks!

I really hope this is what happens. I live in Central Ohio, but i am diehard Cleveland fan. I have such fond memories as a kid (and even now) making the trip up to Cleveland for Browns and Indians games. I think the really good news this state needs is for Cleveland to finally break through and start adding population. Columbus and Cincinnati are both there and it would be absolutely amazing if we could get Cleveland there. If/when that happens, i think the messaging and marketing for this state can take off and see a resurgence in prominence. I'm always pulling for Cleveland. Hopefully once the new Sherwin-Williams place is done...things really take off!!!

I have many friends who work for Nationwide, L Brands etc etc....the widening of 161 really helped Newark grow because it took 15-20 mins off of the commute. It really brought Newark squarely into the metro if you will. People from Newark now don't feel like they have to move to the contingent Columbus suburbs to work.

Thanks for helping me try and understand this from a MSA "branding" if you will. I understand what you have both posted, but i'm still confused, because what you both posted suggests that Newark should have always been labeled as part of Columbus's MSA right? Newark has been the largest suburb/exurb for many decades. Why has the MSA labeling never featured Newark as a "central city"??? I'm just sort of curious as to why? Hopefully Newark gets its due in the next census and some changes are made to the labeling of the Columbus MSA. Good conversation!!!

I have wondered this as well...specifically because Newark is already part of a "micropolitan area" so to speak. The Newark/Heath/Granville/Hanover area, in my opinion, should have always been its own MSA. Newark has 50,000 people, Heath has 11,000 people, Granville has 6,000 people and Hanover has 1200 people.....all within 3 miles of each other for an area of roughly 70,000 people. The Greater Newark Area should absolutely remain in the CSA, but i wonder if they will split the Greater Newark Area off and form its own MSA? If they don't, it literally wont hurt a thing, but i do think its sort of ridiculous that Newark is never featured as part of the Columbus MSA. Moving forward, the Columbus MSA should be labeled as Columbus/Newark/Delaware in my humble opinion. Good question!!!

^^^^^^ It is so cool to see Newark make that list. Newark recently went over the 50,000 population mark. The city has seen a TON of investment and is growing steadily. Lots of positive things going on here. The people here seem to really be embracing the revitalization that's been taking place and that's the key. People have a different pep in their step nowadays it seems.

"Historic Hudson Avenue District" is an area i would absolutely LOVE to see have some investment made into it. Those are absolutely amazing homes. Just a few....

Lets hope!!! I love that they are the team colors too. Stands out for sure!

A lot of older people in Newark have a certain feeling towards SR 16 going right through the heart of the city. Many people dislike it because it literally cut neighborhoods in half. One thing you will notice is that there are a lot of N and S streets in Newark because of this. For example...N Williams and S Williams. So i hear that. I have only ever known the highway to go right through the city so i guess i am just used to it. I often wonder though, what the city would be today if they created a bypass around the city? As for the roundabouts, the people seem to have warmed up to them, once they figured them out lol. I'm indifferent about them. I think one of the coolest things about downtown Newark now, is if you look in the pictures above, all the brick you see is repurposed brick. The whole downtown revitalization project started with installing new drainage and sewer lines. The lines were a century old and made of brick. When they dug it all up, they saved the brick, cleaned it and repurposed it for all of the sidewalks and roundabouts. I think it adds a fantastic touch to the project. As for the 4 way stops, downtown has never had 4 way stops. It was always a 3 way "yield" type of intersection. The irony is that, people who were visiting from other areas are the ones who complained about the former set up. The roundabouts allow traffic to flow in both directions now instead of only one way allllll they way around the square. I for one, like the new set up, but to each their own. But please come back, there are some really new projects on the horizon for downtown Newark....some really transformative projects!!!

Also....are those Crew shuttle busses i see? That would be a great idea!!

This looks awesome...The roof design is a fantastic element!! I must admit, i am a casual soccer fan and i have only been to a few Crew games at MAPFRE stadium, but this is going to change that 100%. I think this is going to do so much for the Crew. I will easily take in 5-10 matches a year now. This is what the Crew has needed for a long time...an olive branch to the casual fans (love them or hate them). I really appreciate what they have carved out for the NORDEKE too! Listen, they deserve their own diehard pregame area. They literally kept the franchise alive!! Attendance is going to sky rocket. I just love what the Arena District has become and will continue to become. Now, if we can get something brewing and designed for the dirt triangle to put an exclamation point on the AD....that would be amazing!!!