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New Hilton Columbus Downtown tower should have all rooms open by late November “The opening of the Hilton Columbus Downtown tower has come in stages, as water damage to 40 rooms just before its scheduled opening pushed back timelines and forced the cancellation of the official ribbon cutting. But with five more floors coming online this week, the tower is now nearly completely available to guests. Only two floors remain unavailable for public use. Don Brown, executive director the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the hotel's owner, said the last two floors — 27 and 28 — should be ready for use by Thanksgiving. The 28th floor is home to Stories on High, the rooftop restaurant and bar, which is still getting some finishing touches. There are no guest rooms on that floor, which will start hosting private parties in December and be open to the public in January.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/10/hilton-eyes-nov-25-for-full-occupancy.html

More on this one: More Apartments Proposed for West Fifth Avenue “Local developer Preferred Living is looking to add another apartment complex to its growing portfolio of projects in the Fifth by Northwest neighborhood. The latest proposal is for 1010-1064 W. Fifth Ave., a block currently occupied by several one-story commercial buildings and parking lots. Zoning documents submitted to the city show two proposed buildings – a five-story building facing Fifth Avenue, and a four-story structure to the north, situated between an existing alley and Sixth Avenue. The two buildings would be separated by the alley. All together, they would hold 208 apartments, about 5,000 square feet of commercial space, and two internal parking garages with space for 362 cars.” https://columbusunderground.com/more-apartments-proposed-for-west-fifth-avenue-bw1/

Lack of materials, labor adding to delays, cost in Gahanna-Jefferson school projects “The renovation of Gahanna Middle School East is on schedule, but updates to middle schools West and South will have to wait. Citing supply-chain issues and labor shortages resulting in skyrocketing prices, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools officials have notified district residents that the projects that had been part of Phase 2 are on hold. District leaders are waiting on guaranteed maximum prices this spring from contractor Turner Construction before setting a new schedule, said Erick Starkey, spokesperson for G-J schools. Construction on West and South were to have started in April and January 2024, respectively, but those dates have been deferred indefinitely, according to a discussion at the finance and facilities committee meeting Aug. 16.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/gahanna/2022/11/10/gahanna-jefferson-schools-soaring-costs-delay-some-construction-plans/69619576007/

Grandview to begin planning for new municipal complex “Following the passage of Issue 32, Grandview Heights officials this month are to begin work to bring the city's police, fire and administrative services facilities into the 21st century. On Nov. 8, local voters approved a 28-year, 3.88-mill bond issue for the city of Grandview that's expected to generate $33.64 million for the construction of a new municipal complex at the southeast corner of Grandview Avenue and Goodale Boulevard. In addition to financing a new $25-million municipal complex, which would replace the city's 98-year-old facility at 1016 Grandview Ave., Issue 32 is to enable the city to move its Parks and Recreation Department headquarters from 1515 Goodale Blvd. to McKinley Field Park, which Mayor Greta Kearns said would improve residents' access to programs. Additionally, the current municipal building site is to be converted to park land, which is to result in the 1.5-acre expansion of the adjacent Wyman Woods Park.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/grandview-heights/2022/11/09/grandview-to-begin-planning-for-new-municipal-complex/69619266007/

Dublin Historic District property eyed for demolition, new mixed-use project proposed “A commercial building that needs major repairs could be torn down for a new project in Dublin's Historic District. Plain City-based Ralco Properties LLC, which owns the property at 36-38 N. High St., was approved to demolish the facility. Now, it is seeking city approval for a two-story, mixed-use building and a two-story residential building on the 0.25-acre site. A new commercial building featuring office space and an indoor restaurant, as well as a two-unit townhome development, have been proposed. The planned restaurant is nearly 3,200 square feet, while the offices would be slightly more than 2,800 square feet. The townhomes are listed at 1,900 square feet and 1,850 square feet, respectively. The mixed-use building and the townhomes would be separate from one another. The project also includes 40 parking spaces for the commercial building and four spots for the townhomes.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/10/new-mixed-use-project-dublin-historic-district.html

Flavor 91 Burger Bistro owners have plans to branch into affordable housing “A Whitehall restauranteur has plans to branch into affordable housing. Freweini Abraha, who co-owns Flavor 91 Bistro with her children Winta and Moses Hayelom, plans to build a three or four-story apartment building behind her restaurant with as many as 36 apartments. Abraha is in the first cohort of the Emerging Developers Accelerator Program, or EDAP. The developer plans to add two more storefronts to the Flavor 91 building. The restaurant also is in the process of getting a facelift, which will be finished at the end of the year. Work is planned to start on the apartments sometime next year, Abraha said.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/10/flavor-91-burger-bistro.html

E 1st does run in front of Jeffrey Park, but there’s a section of it a little further east. This is the vacant land: I like the pops of color in the rendering. And looks like it’s probably a good space for a small warehouse. I also thought his rendering at the bottom of the article for the East Side apartment building looked good.

I hadn’t realized before that the public safety bond issue included funds for the downtown courthouse. CITY LEADERS OUTLINE HOW $1.5 BILLION BOND PACKAGE WOULD SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY “If approved by Columbus voters, funding would be allocated as follows: $30 million: Police facility renovations $18 million: Fire apparatus replacements $33 million: Fire facility renovations $219 million: Franklin County Municipal Court building.” https://www.columbus.gov/Templates/Detail.aspx?id=2147527580 The issue was overwhelmingly approved, and Axios Columbus is reporting this is indeed the new courthouse building. https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/11/10/midterms-columbus-ohio-15-billion-bond-package

Looks like Northland Council recommended approval for this one after the developer agreed to dedicate nearly two acres on the eastern side of Presidential Gateway to the city of Columbus for park land. City Council will hear the proposal on the 21st.

I feel like this is a good thread for this article, since it ties in with the CDDC’s downtown plan. More Residents & Entertainment Are Key For Future of Downtown Columbus “Last week, the Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts (SID) hosted their annual meeting to showcase accomplishments, celebrate yearly award winners and to impart some wisdom on the crowd from special guest speaker Paul Levy. Levy is the President and CEO of the Center City District (CCD), a similar type of organization located in Downtown Philadelphia. The message to the crowd of local business leaders, civic leaders and community members is that a Downtown can no longer simply remain as a “Central Business District” while trying to adapt to a post-pandemic world where many office workers are spending more of their time at home. “All downtowns face these major challenges, but the more diverse the land use — the more hotels, the more residential, the more office, the more arts and culture — the greater the mix, the more animated you are 24/7,” explained Levy. “You must continue to fill gaps in the fabric, building dense vibrant spaces.” Levy shared some insight from Philadelphia over the past 30 years, which mirrors the Downtown Columbus trajectory, but at a larger scale.” https://columbusunderground.com/more-residents-entertainment-are-key-for-future-of-downtown-columbus-we1/

This is what I was thinking of—Dispatch article saying a spring ‘23 start with a summer ‘24 finish.

Actually sounds like a pretty solid proposal. Which I’m sure means the UD Commission will give them the run around for the next year.

I seem to remember a spring 2023 being talked about before, I’ll try to find that. I’m hoping September was a misprint, since that would leave the rental houses there demoed 1.5+ years, which seems excessive.

Not a lot we didn’t already know. But hopefully it starts well before September 😳 Community Development for All People, Parsons Avenue Redevelopment Corp. teaming up on housing development “The Parsons Avenue Redevelopment Corp. and Community Development for All People will build a 43-unit affordable apartment building with about 5,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The project has been dubbed The Eleanor on Parsons, named after the mother of Rev. John Edgar, who founded the United Methodist Church for All People. That site is currently home to All People's Fresh Market, which serves about 300 people a day. That venture will be relocated during construction of the mixed-use building and ultimately occupy the ground floor of the Eleanor, as will the Bikes for All People shop, now located across the street. Local developer Brian Higgins, PARC's executive director, said Edgar contacted him about the opportunity to develop the land the market sits on. It was not part of the initial vision for the smaller Eleanor project. Community Development for All People is "helping us do a bigger, more impactful project," Higgins said. The apartments will have a rooftop deck, bike room and fitness area. Higgins said a portion of the units would be priced for those at 60% of the area median income, about $970 for a one bedroom. The building would be four stories along Parsons Avenue and step back as the building gets closer to the Schumacher Place neighborhood. Construction could start in September, Higgins said, and would last about 14 months.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/08/parsons-avenue-apartment-building-triples-number-o.html

Is your neighborhood in the city limits? In my neighborhood there have been more ADUs being put up, but every time the owner has to get a zoning variance approved.

Proposal from New City to build 12 new units across six doubles on a currently vacant lot at 86 [N] Yale.

^That rendering is very uninspiring 😬

An update on this one from the Dispatch: Developer seeks $850K from Franklin County for more affordable housing in Merion Village “A busy Columbus developer and property management firm wants to create 46 affordable apartments in Merion Village. Woda Cooper Cos. Inc. is seeking up to $850,000 from Franklin County's Affordable Housing Magnet Fundfor the Columbus Renaissance, a proposed 46-unit complex at 33 W. Morrill Ave., just west of South High Street, according to the county's Economic Development & Planning Department. The units will be priced for residents who make at or below 60% of area median income, which amounts to $40,000 for a family of two or $50,000 for a family of four, based on 2021 data. The Franklin County Board of Commissioners will consider the proposed agreement at its meeting Tuesday.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/county/2022/11/07/franklin-county-funds-sought-for-merion-village-affordable-housing/ This project is close to two other affordable housing complexes: the new Jenkins Lofts and the recently proposed Jenkins Ave apartments from CD4AP. I’m glad to see more and more of those old industrial sites on the South Side being converted to housing.

Grandview Crossing. Steel framing is up for the food hall now.

Edwards building. Looks like work is starting on the residential floors now.

Parking garage progress. Still no sign of apartment work starting.

I had some spare time, and the weather was beautiful for November, so I decided to grab some construction progress shots. I tried to primarily stick to projects that haven’t been posted as much recently. Several of the smaller, infill projects on the Near East Side appear to be nearing completion. Shiloh Baptist/Kelley Cos apartments on Mount Vernon and Hamilton Long St condos Almond Ave Flats Woodland Ave Apartments Parkwood Ave apartments Oak St mixed use Triumph

Long-standing New York-style pizzeria opening express location in German Village area “Pizzano’s Express will be located at 804 Parsons Ave. According to Blata, it will likely open sometime in the next two weeks, although an exact opening date hasn’t been announced yet.” https://614now.com/2022/food-drink/long-standing-new-york-style-pizzeria-opening-express-location-in-german-village-area Popular national burger chain coming to 15th & High “While Smashburger has lost two of its three Columbus-area locations in recent years, another one is on the way to a prominent local development. According to records filed with the City of Columbus, a new Smashburger location is coming to 15 E. 15th St., STE B110, within the University District’s 15+High development. The new Smashburger will be located near many other popular eateries within 15th+High, including Barrio Tacos, Roots Natural Kitchen and a soon-to-open Dave’s hot Chicken location.” https://614now.com/2022/food-drink/popular-national-burger-chain-coming-to-15th-high

Rockbridge names The Junto general manager, reveals more details on hotel “As Columbus hotel developer Rockbridge's The Junto continues to work toward its spring 2023 opening, Jason Delcamp has been recruited from Denver to run the property. Delcamp, now general manager of The Junto, had been running boutique hotel Halcyon just outside of Denver. The Junto will be the first Columbus property from Makeready, a hospitality company founded by Rockbridge CEO Jim Merkel. Through Makeready, Merkel has led independent hotels in Savannah, Charleston, Nashville, Dallas and Denver. The Junto will also feature a second-floor banquet space and a variety of meeting rooms. "We're trying to create a bunch of different experiences within this one building. You are in this great neighborhood, but you don't even need to leave the building to experience all these different things," Delcamp said. Delcamp said he's looking to hire about 250 employees to help him run the hotel.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/04/the-junto-hotel-scioto-peninsula-rockbridge-makere.html