OhioFinest

I think so too...truth be told...i think this area is quite honestly being undersold for the growth that is taking place. Newark has announced at least 5 new housing developments over the past year with a few BIG ones on the horizon...Heath has 2 other housing developments in process...not including this one...and this is all before the Intel craze even really goes into effect. Newark/Heath have long had a great working relationship when it comes to growth. I always imagine and wonder how different things would be if Newark would have annexed all of Heath back in the 40s, like it was proposed. I think about that proposal and how much different the perception would be around here if Newark would have said yes? You're talking about adding another 12k residents to Newark's 51k residents. Add those two together and that's why you're starting to see massive developments like this coming this way. Licking County is going to be Delaware County for the next 20 years!!!

Heath has always been an extension of Newark...a railroad track separates the two municipalities. If you didn't know, you would think they are the same city. Heath has always been Newark's shopping and dining destination. The ONLY issue i have with this...is that i hope the area is big enough for "two downtowns'...Newark has always been the county seat and has seen tremendous investment over the last 5 years. I just hope this development doesn't hurt that development. I am optimistic since both cities are growing...that both developments are going to help with the future growth that is immenent!! LOTS of cool things happening in the Newark/Heath/Granville metro.

https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/2024/02/10/revitalization-downtown-newark-arcade-apartments/72492945007/ Nice to see this story appear on the Dispatch, highlighting the continuing downtown Newark revitalization project. If you haven’t been…stop in and see for yourself!!!

This major development in Heath received TMUD approval, green lighting this development. The Newark/Heath/Granville area continues to grow!!

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2024/01/25/multifamily-housing-again-planned-for-north-21st-near-newark-walmart/72319187007/ And another new housing project planned in Newark. This one on the North End of the city. These will be a welcomed addition. The only downside...more traffic on 21st street.

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2024/01/24/potential-newark-tiny-home-village-could-provide-affordable-housing/72323755007/ Interesting. I know some people don't like these kind of housing developments, but at the end of the day...i'm all for it...as long as it's done in a way that actually improves areas instead of depreciates home values. I think reasonable agreements can be worked out. I'm born and raised and still live in Newark...and yes, this city has seen a REMARKABLE turn around. I think anybody will tell you that Newark has made MAJOR improvements...BUT...anybody with eyes will tell you that there is still a lot of work to be done as well. I think these kind of "Tiny Home" villages should be used for infill in areas that truly need it. Build these in the older areas of town where this is A) Truly needed for people and B) Helps with neighborhood improvements. I think of the "Old Town West" area off of W Main St and W Church St and the South end as PERFECT areas for much needed infill and improvements. Say what you will, but would you rather have brand new tiny home villages...OR 100 year old blighted home eyesores?? Good for the Look Up Center for actually something to fix the problem instead of just talking about it.

How has an open air stadium played to the Cleveland Browns advantage??? Maybe a dome is EXACTLY what the Cleveland Browns franchise and the city of Cleveland both need???

Microsoft in Hebron…In the area of the Newark Industrial Park. This area is gonna boom!! Licking County better be ready for it. This goes back to our conversation about Newark developing the River Rd area…how much longer is Granville going to live in denial??? For the betterment of the Licking County, the county needs Granville to adapt!! The Newark/Heath/Granville metro is literally the center…the heart…of Licking County…we need them to be a good coworker in order for this to all go well. News like this should be a reminder of why business and housing go hand in hand.

One last point of view on this...i believe Park Trails should be going to NCS. It's Newark City, they should go to NCS...to me...that seems like basic common sense lol.

It isn't and shouldn't be a "ward specific" issue. The tax revenue from this development impacts ALL of Newark...because the tax revenue is used for the entire city for improvements. Those 793 voters should NOT trump my vote as a citizen of Newark. It's really that simple and the basis of my point of view. Tooooo much power has been given to those specific voters and the will of the rest of us has been silenced. I want Newark to develop this land. I want Newark to grow and thrive. I could care zero percent about how this impacts Granville Schools. That's just where i am at on this issue. Again, Granville has had PLENTY of time and empathy from Newark on this issue. If Granville doesn't have a plan in place by now, then that's on Granville and no longer Newark's issue. I appreciate your perspective however...and i understand it. You give a sound voice to that side of the argument, but at the end of they day...Newark City Council should be doing what's in the best interest for ALL of Newark.

You said it Sir!!!! It's why i don't even consider this to even be a valid argument against this housing development any longer. Did Dublin or Olentangy school districts magically get worse by having to build new schools? Granville will be just fine!!

I hear you and i agree to an extent!! Respectfully, with regards to schooling though...i simply do not care about anything Granville schools related in this discussion anymore. Granville has had PLENTY of time to figure out what needs done to be able to properly handle this...instead of crying non stop about it. If they think this is bad...i cant wait until they are forced to turn their attention west. Newark City Council members (Mine specifically) are elected to represent the constituents of Newark. I am tired of my elected official, caring more about the needs of Granville schools, than being able to collect the taxes to improve roads and infrastructure in Newark. This development helps Newark with its tax base, which ironically a woman is quoted in the article as saying "Newark doesn't fill the pot holes on River Road"...welllll, maybe if they had the tax base they could? Again, this about the 100th time this discussion has been had and yet NOBODY ever addresses how this would HELP Newark and how delaying this development HURTS Newark from a tax perspective....ALWAYS Granville. Approve this development, plan it, build it and let the chips fall where they may. But the days of Granville having this amount of control over a piece of property that is within NEWARK city limits should be over from a Newark City Council perspective. How much more time does Granville need to prepare for this??? The excuses are over.

Area in Orange is currently under construction. Area in Green was just announced in the article today. Earth moving is already underway. Area in Yellow is the big prize!!! It is in the city of Newark, but Granville files lawsuits in the Supreme Court to block any development. Its time for NEWARK to do whats right for NEWARK!! Its time for Granville to understand what is happening around us and plan accordingly.

This are is currently under construction just North of River Rd as well.

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2023/12/20/residents-along-river-road-in-newark-granville-area-oppose-multifamily-housing-developments/71937162007/ Here we go again!!! Newark City Council better do whats right for Newark this time...FINALLY!!! Stop listening to people who are NOT your constituents and do what is right for the city of Newark. River Road residents are so whiny!! Oh, its ok for THEM to build a house there and live in that area, but not for anybody else. Poor poor Granville...suck it up! The article also points to a new housing development that i have not been made aware of...and its in an interesting location, which tells me that more realllllll growth is coming to Newark, because this is an area i just never imagined being developed...and this is a GOOD thing!!!

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/money/business/small-business/2023/12/14/west-church-social-seeks-to-bring-nightlife-back-to-newarks-west-end/71891871007/ Nice write up on "West Church Social". I checked this place out recently...its safe to say that this place will do VERY well!!!

This would be awesome for Newark. Not necessarily going to Columbus...but for going to Pittsburgh AND Chicago!!! The historic train station in Newark is a landmark and was restored in the last decade . It would be incredible to see traffic coming and going through Newark again!!

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/11/14/state-cash-for-licking-county-roads-brought-joy-in-june-now-concern/71508799007/ Personally, i think Intel should be financing all of this road and bridge infrastructure work. The Thornwood Dr Corridor is VITAL to Licking County and its development. Ridiculous that all of the money the state is giving Licking County is to be used for Intel. I get it, that is vital too...but Licking County is a BIG county and that money should be proportioned appropriately.

This x100...plus its in a really nice part of town...its the old Bunky's/EndZone/PapaJoes location...but the whole building is being converted. They should kill it at this location. Plus like you said, this will offer some new entertainment that isnt currently available in Newark.

https://614now.com/2023/food-drink/massive-new-bar-arcade-with-electronic-axe-throwing-retro-games-coming-to-central-ohio This is going to be an awesome new venue in Newark. Cannot wait until this opens. The amount of new places in and around Newark over the last 3-5 years has been simply incredible to witness. Called "West Church Social"...it will be a "Pins" type of establishment. Located on the west side of Newark, you can see this location off of SR16.

So, is the Field House portion of Bridge Park dead or what? Haven't heard anything about this in a long time.

I love the part about how this is benefiting Ohio with suppliers coming from 38 counties!!! That’s huge!!

If you read the entire quote, he said the Newark Earthworks Center should "Probably be replaced"...that's where the 79 location comes into play that i am talking about. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds. I do know that the Country Club driving range is actually on LMH ground if i recall correctly, so that would give them PLENTY of room for a new facility. If they do get a brand new facility...they could demolish the existing facility and build a much larger and appropriate facility on the LMH site and the existing site. I will be curious to see how this all plays out once the court settlement is finalized in October.

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2023/09/20/world-heritage-honor-for-newark-earthworks-emotional-for-supporters/70900559007/ More about the Ohio delegation that went to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the event. Just like my post above where i mentioned that i have some sources telling me about a potential Hopewell Museum and Hotel being built...the following quote from the article gives us a little hint of that possibility. I sure hope that this works out. It could be a HUGE moment for Newark and the state of Ohio. "If there is a visitor's center in Newark, it should be close to the Octagon"...it seems as if he saying the site across the street without saying it specifically lol.

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/09/19/newark-earthworks-named-ohios-first-unesco-world-heritage-sites/70892014007/ BIG news…The Newark Earthworks has been officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. The ramifications of this could be HUGE for the area. I read a while back, during the presentation of this process, that tourism could go from 6k a year to anywhere from 100k to 600k tourists a year. That’s a big range, but would still be a massive increase. Which brings me to my next point…the former Rockwell/Arvin Meritor site across the street. I have heard from some pretty good sources, that there are some big plans for the site that could include a massive new museum dedicated to the Hopewell Native American Tribe, a large hotel and a cross walk that goes over 79 to connect to the Octagon site. Again, that is not official. This would be incredible for the Greater Newark area. Apparently there are millions of people around the world who set out to see all the locations on the World Heritage Site list. My ONLY concern is the upkeep of the former country club. Say what you want, but they kept that site immaculate and many citizens are concerned that it will be “let go”. Anyway, another historic day for Licking County and Newark.