amped91

I keep looking for a tower crane base in these photos. I wonder if they’ll end up using one?

Maronda Homes proposes large mixed-use development anchored by 238 housing units in Delaware “Maronda Homes LLC, a Pennsylvania-based homebuilder with an established presence in Central Ohio, is requesting review of a concept plan for Donovan Farms — a new development containing detached single-family and multifamily housing, as well as commercial and open space. It would be located on approximately 110 acres on the east side of Section Line Road and the west side of Houk Road, just south of the future Boulder Drive. The proposed concept features 238 single-family homes across three different lot widths. It may also be an age-targeted community, according to city documents. In addition, the project includes approximately 20 acres of multifamily development, roughly 19.5 acres of commercial space and some 20 acres of open space dispersed across the site. Currently, the property is mostly flat farmland with a row of windbreak trees along its northern, southern and eastern boundaries. A majority of the site — approximately 107.6 acres — will need to be annexed into the city. About 4 acres along the eastern boundary is already located within the city, and is an undeveloped parcel.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/01/03/maronda-homes-donovan-farms-development-delaware.html

I know some folks aren’t fans of the aesthetics of this project, but I’m thrilled to see the Jaycee Arms expansion is moving forward. Over 100 more affordable housing units downtown and less surface parking is a win in my book. Hopefully this is one of multiple new construction projects we’ll see get started Downtown this year. Jaycee Arms apartment project lands necessary funding to start on second $33M phase “Affording housing nonprofit NCJC Housing & Development Foundation and Sunset Development Co. have landed the necessary funding to start construction on a [120]-unit downtown apartment project. The $33.5 million addition will add 120 units to the existing Jaycee Arms Apartments development at 266 E. Main St. The existing apartments have 223 units of rent-subsidized apartments for seniors. This project was one of the 22 projects awarded funding through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency's latest gap financing round. The project was also awarded grant funding from Columbus' Department of Development Rental Housing Program and the Franklin County’s Affordable Housing Magnet Program. The new units would be a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units of affordable workforce housing, spread across two five-story buildings. There are also plans for covered parking and about 10,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. The developers hope to attract commercial tenants for both the multifamily and senior tenants, like a small grocer, restaurant or pharmacy. The developers have already started planning for a third phase, which would include a five-story building with community event space, a workforce training center and 18 market-rate apartments.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/01/03/jaycee-arms.html

Weird. There have been a few high profile crimes there the past couple of years, but nothing like decades past. I don’t feel unsafe walking around there at night.

Get ready, y’all. Bojangles to break ground in Hilliard “The Bojangles expansion into Columbus will officially begin this week. The fast-food chain known for its Southern-style chicken and biscuits, announced that it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its first Columbus area location. It will take place this Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at 831 Hilliard Rome Road. Columbus, which is set to receive 15 new Bojangles restaurants over the next seven years, is one of several markets that franchise owner Jeff Rigsby is launching new restaurants in. Other markets include cities in Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.“ https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/hilliard/bojangles-to-break-ground-in-hilliard/?fbclid=IwAR2ypgJViZ7bLqnSHK4khAarTfMRTeHX5W4xcapExY2wTcl6E5HGkDGeCT4&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

I pretty much agree with what Vintage said. One of the things I like about the Short North is the varied architecture, uses, heights, colors, etc. You have a three story, old brick building next to a ten story, concrete prefab tower. To be clear, I don’t think this stretch of Main will be able to support the height that the SN has (at least not during my lifetime), but I do want to see as much preservation as possible of what’s left of the historic architecture, and then a variety of materials, heights and uses for all of the vacant areas.

I know on the Peninsula website that space is just marked as “future phase” now, but wasn’t that block originally planned as a second hotel building?

I’m okay with not everything being mixed use—there’s so many holes on Main between Downtown and Bexley that I’m fine with some being filled with strict residential. Plus the building next door is mixed use, and it looks like some major renovation has been done there (I would have to look up to see if it’s the same owner. Looks like the same developer, two storefronts below two apartments). I would like more for sale units here, though. The condos going up on Oak and Ohio are very handsome, and I think some of those would like nice in a spot like this. Hopefully the commission pushes for some of the unit entrances to front Main, or at least rework the facade some. It’s kinda hard to tell, but the ground level looks pretty weird from the sketch.

I have a small amount invested in Root, and I’ve watched its stock price dwindle over the year, even after the reverse split. I’m beginning to have doubts Root will be around a decade from now.

“CAI Development” has put together a proposal for 1264 E Main St to go before the NEAC in January. It includes 2 studios, 2 one bedrooms, and 4 two bedrooms for a total of 8 units and 8 parking spots in a four level building plus amenity deck. If approved, it would occupy a vacant, 0.09 acre lot.

People still use LinkedIn?

I’m going to guess 15 floors. Won’t complain if it’s taller though 😉 OSU tower to the NW of downtown, and Children’s to the SE should look pretty nice!

I think some of the construction timeline information might be new. “Construction is expected to start in early 2024 for the flagship of the hospital's latest $3.3 billion strategic expansion plan – extending its main hospital tower northward with an addition that might end up taller than its 12-story twin. Children's this fall selected NBBJ as architect and a team led by Turner, Walsh and Smoot construction companies to design and build the tower. The addition aiming for a 2028 opening will house intensive care and specialties including cancer and blood disease. Among other projects in a multi-year expansion along Livingston Avenue, the Wexner Research Institute's fourth building is expected to open in May, with a fifth planned as a future project, and construction continues on Livingston Avenue Orthopedic and Surgery Center. In 2022, Children's became a true health system after acquiring Toledo's pediatric hospital. Meanwhile, royalties and other income from licensing hospital-developed technology remain strong, hitting $69 million in 2021, driven largely by increasing global sales of one of the first gene therapies ever approved. That money goes back into recruiting faculty and funding more research. And the hospital has two more gene therapy spinouts developing technology, as well as a spinoff in clinical trials with a way to combat antibiotic-resistant respiratory infections.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/12/30/2022-in-review-columbus-hospital-expansions.html

Construction update: Ohio State's new hospital tower continues to rise “With almost four years of construction yet to go, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's new main critical care tower is starting to look like a hospital. A repair hiccup from a cracked column has not knocked the $1.9 billion project off schedule, according to a recent construction update on the university's facilities website. The new University Hospital is on track to open in early 2026, starting with 622 of an eventual 820 private patient rooms. Construction is 40% complete, according to the update: Steelwork is almost done; interior walls are being framed and prepped for drywall; crews are snaking mechanical, electrical and plumbing lines through the walls; a lobby escalator and staircase is taking shape; exterior cladding is already about halfway up the building. The photos even show toilets already in patient rooms.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/12/30/ohio-state-wexner-medical-construction-update.html

How terrible for those who were still living in the towers, and at one of the worst possible times too. Hopefully those affected are able to find housing, and hopefully someone is able to turn this property around and provide safe, affordable housing. The link also provides ways for the community to help: Remaining Latitude Five25 residents relocating after Near East Side towers deemed unsafe “Days after the city of Columbus asked a court to force the owner of two Near East Side apartment towers to pay for long-needed repairs, the rest of the buildings' residents are starting to relocate. Officials have determined the two towers of Latitude Five25, 525 Sawyer Blvd. — formerly known as Sawyer Towers — are unsafe, thereby forcing residents to relocate, according to a joint statement Thursday from the city and the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. As of Tuesday morning, about 32 residents were registered at the Dodge Community Center in Franklinton, and others were able to stay with family and friends, according to the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus. About 152 of the complex's 400 apartments were occupied at the time, city spokesperson Tony Celebrezze said previously. The Franklin County commissioners, during an emergency meeting Wednesday, unanimously authorized spending $750,000 to help residents of Latitude Five25 find temporary lodging, Bivens said. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also is working with the City Council to provide another $750,000, according to the joint statement.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/12/29/latitude-five25-residents-to-relocate-after-towers-deemed-unsafe/69764066007/

From the CBC FB page, signage now up at the new beer hall:

Columbus' Eastland Mall closing, site could be redeveloped “Eastland Mall is set to close this weekend, and city officials say they want the site redeveloped for a different use. The owners of the mall plan to tear it down, The Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday evening. The owners' attorney did not respond to a request for comment from Columbus Business First. “For decades, Eastland Mall served as an economic driving force for the city’s east side neighborhoods, and we look forward to the next chapter for this site that holds so much potential to create jobs, jumpstart businesses and expand housing," Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said in an emailed statement. "The city will remain engaged with owners to bring the site into compliance, ensuring the property is safe and secure entering this next phase.” Columbus Development Director Michael Stevensearlier this year told Business First that the city is engaged in conversations about what the highest and best use for the mall site could be and the area around it.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/12/29/eastland-mall-closing.html

I’ve not quite been able to figure this Facebook account out. I’m pretty convinced it’s just fan art, and doesn’t have any official connection with the city, but it’s still interesting to imagine the possibilities for what could happen at Eastland, now that it’s officially closed.

Great, another vacancy in a prominent downtown location 😬 Tim Hortons to close Broad and High location in downtown Columbus “Tim Hortons is set to close its downtown Columbus location at 2 E. Broad St. on Friday, according to an employee. The Broad and High location has been open for nearly a decade. The space previously housed a Dunkin' Donuts before the rival coffee shop chain was evicted in 2011. The company's other Downtown location, in the Arena District, remains open. Tim Hortons has over 15 locations in Columbus. Requests for more information from Tim Hortons and the building's owner, Casto, were not returned at the time of posting.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/dining/2022/12/29/tim-hortons-closing-downtown-columbus-location-this-weekend/69761793007/

Crazy. I agree with you, @NW24HX, it’s too bad for the folks who had recently opened businesses there. I’d like to see it get a quick turn around, rather than sitting there to decay for decades.

With all of the blighted buildings nearby, I was surprised when it was announced Capri would be closing for redev. It’s too bad, I remember going there on school trips for “reward” days.

Another senior-housing complex opens in Northland “National Church Residences has opened another senior-living complex in the Northland neighborhood. Bretton Woods, a new $9 million affordable senior-housing community for those ages 55 and older, is located at 2511 Bretton Woods Drive, near Minerva Park. The 3-story, 54,000-square-foot community features 62 one-bedroom apartments on more than 4 acres in a residential community between Cleveland Avenue and Westerville Road. “All 62 units were preleased before we opened our doors,” said Amy Rosenthal, vice president of housing development for National Church Residences. “I was there on Day One when the first residents moved in (Dec. 9).” Most recently, the company purchased the old Thompson’s Capri Lanes bowling alley, at 5860 Roche Drive, which is to be demolished to make way for more senior-housing opportunities.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/northland/2022/12/27/another-senior-housing-complex-opens-in-northland/69752217007/

I’d forgotten about some of those! Definitely looking forward to Steelton Village and Kroger Bakery too. A few others I’m hoping to see start up in the new year are the two South Side projects from Schiff: the BD Copious redev and the Livingston Ave Shane’s Corner redev; and the Parsons Ave project from CD4AP. I saw closer to this past summer COTA was allocating some budget money for a study to determine best land use at the Greyhound site, and just recently I saw engineering apps for the Jaycee Arms apartments, so I’m hopeful we’ll see movement on both of those in 2023 as well.

Since I have a feeling dev news will be pretty slow for at least the next week or so, I was wondering which projects in 2023 are you all most looking forward to breaking ground, wrapping up, and continuing to see progress on? And which property would you like to see redevelopment proposals for? Ground breaking: The Merchant Building I’m excited for the addition to the North Market, and it’ll be fun to watch this rise up into the skyline over the next few years. Wrapping up: Peninsula Phase One Continued progress: Peninsula Two I’m hoping the tower portion doesn’t get pared down. I kinda have a feeling it won’t get built until/if it gets TMUD funding, though. I think we’ll likely see build out on the southern end until that happens. Redevelopment property: the vacant Family Dollar building in the Short North.

Some framing for one of the first of several SFHs at the MCW redev is up. And it’s hard to see, but the ground work and plumbing has been done for the townhomes at Gravity 2, so we should be seeing those go up soon.