amped91

Ohio offers $156 million in incentives for Honda battery project “The state said Wednesday that it will offer tax incentives and infrastructure improvements totaling an estimated $156.3 million to Honda as part of the automaker's plan to invest at least $4.2 billion in a new battery plant to supply electric vehicles and to retool three of its Ohio factories. Of the $156.3 million, $85 million will be for local water and transportation upgrades while the rest will be tax incentives over 30 years based on the estimated 2,500-plus jobs that Honda will create at the battery plant and at the other plants. JobsOhio, the state's economic development arm, said it too will provide assistance for the Honda project as it does for other projects that create jobs around the state. That information will be made public once final details with Honda are worked out. Of the $85 million for infrastructure improvements, $75 million will be for water and utility improvements and the rest will be to improve local and state roads, the state said.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/10/12/honda-incentives-cover-road-utility-improvements-and-job-creation/69559205007/

A big, beautiful wall!

The most recent version of the site plans for the residential component of the project are now viewable on the access portal. Looks like it is back to one building, but with an expanded footprint, covering most of the site. Four stories, 102 units (77 1BRs and 25 2BRs); 60 garage spaces, a fitness center, leasing office and amenity space on the first floor, and 43 surface parking spaces.

I believe this is the affordable housing component—McDowell Place. I’d noticed over the weekend that some site grading had been done there. Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing the townhomes too.

I guess the Stonehenge proposal is a decrease by about 80 units from a previous proposal d/t requests from Gahanna for less density, while Casto is trying to add 56 units to their new proposal. Two multifamily developments totaling nearly 550 units proposed in Gahanna “A pair of multifamily housing developments totaling nearly 550 units have been proposed in Gahanna. Two separate projects, one by Columbus developer Casto and the other by Gahanna developer The Stonehenge Company, would bring new residential developments to the city. The Stonehedge development, dubbed Project Morse Road 14, is a $50 million investment that would bring 251 units to a nearly 14-acre tract of land on Morse Road, according to documents filed with the city of Gahanna. The Casto development, called Crescent at Central Park, calls for a multifamily residential community consisting of 296 units on a 16.7-acre site adjacent to the Interstate-270/Hamilton Road interchange. A commercial development on 24.3 acres outside of the multi-family parcel also is included in the project.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/12/gahanna-multifamily-housing-developments.html

Part of the Downtown plan is to offer downtown retail space to help incubate new businesses. This week, according to CU, a major phase of that plan will launch: New Downtown Fashion & Retail District Set to Debut on Friday “This Friday, a new initiative to bring fashion and retail business back to Downtown Columbus kicks off with the launch of “Common Thread”, a new destination shopping experience featuring seven new shops on South Third Street. The program is a collaboration between the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) and Columbus Fashion Council (CFC), located in the ground-floor retail space of the Columbus Commons Parking Garage. A new art installation was recently installed by muralist Mandi “Miss Birdy” Caskey at the intersection of Third and Rich Streets. The retail program is just one aspect of the recently adopted 2022 Downtown Strategic Plan, designed to steer new development Downtown in the coming decades and return the city center population to 40,000 by the year 2040. The seven shops opening include a mix of apparel, accessories, home goods and gift stores that include: Alex Vinash New York Encinas Designs Joan Madison Couture Xantha Ward White Canvas Designs & Holistic Wellness The Frank Project Brands Daniel Russo Home“ https://columbusunderground.com/common-thread-downtown-columbus-retail-we1/

Now we know: Honda picks Fayette County for new $3.5 billion electric battery plant “Honda Motor Co. is investing more than $5.1 billion in electric vehicle production in Ohio, including a new $3.5 billion battery plant to be built in Fayette County and employ 2,200 workers. The automaker, which already has a sizable presence in Ohio and specifically around Marysville, in late August said it was teaming up with Korea-based LG Energy Solutions to build lithium-ion batteries here in the U.S. Tuesday morning, Honda (NYSE: HMC) announced that new plant, pending government approvals, will be located about 40 miles southwest of Columbus. Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. Inc., in a roundtable event for press, said Ohio had the “experience, expertise and resources” to be the starting point for Honda’s North American EV future.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/11/honda-picks-fayette-county-for-new-35-billion-el.html

I guess this goes here: Ohio History Connection to build $17 million storage center for its collection “More than 1.8 million historic Ohio items are getting a new home. The Ohio History Connection this week will break ground on a $17 million facility that will store and protect those millions of items in its collection. The new Collections Care Center will be built on the northeast part of the Ohio History Center campus at 800 E. 17th Ave., which is near the Ohio State Fairgrounds and Historic Crew Stadium. According to information from the Ohio History Connection, construction is expected to begin this month and be completed by April 2024. The Collections Care Center will have 16,500 square feet of storage and 12,800 square feet of offices and workspace.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/10/ohio-history-connection-to-build-17-million-stora.html

Epcon seeking approval for residential development west of I-71 in Grove City “Epcon Communities is proposing another residential development for Grove City. The developer, which is building The Courtyards at Beulah Park as part of the Beulah Park Living development, is seeking approval for The Courtyards at Mulberry Run, a 74-unit residential project planned for a 24.58-acre site on White Road east of McDowell Road and west of Interstate 71. Although the development is not specifically targeted for older residents, many of the amenities and features proposed for the homes, including passive recreational elements, floor plans and open space areas, are more likely to attract residents who are 55 and older as opposed to younger, more traditional single-family homebuyers, Epcon's Jason Coffey said. The developer presented a preliminary development plan at the Oct. 4 planning commission meeting.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/grove-city/2022/10/07/74-home-development-planned-between-mcdowell-and-i-71-in-grove-city/69544438007/

I’ll bet the article’s author saw the AC Marriott mentioned in the application package (referring to the one already in Bridge Park), and wasn’t paying enough attention.

Handful of new eateries announced: Creamery chain dedicated to boozy ice cream and milkshakes opening multiple Columbus-area locations “Buzzed Bull Creamery, a national chain serving up a variety of gourmet alcohol-infused ice cream and milkshakes, is opening two locations in Central Ohio soon. One will be located at 50 S. Liberty St., STE 150 in Powell. The concept is also planning a storefront in Columbus proper, although it’s unclear exactly where this will be. The opening date of both locations haven’t been announced, but the Powell storefront could open as early as this month. Buzzed Bull, which also provides non-alcoholic ice cream treats and coffee, uses liquid nitrogen to create their frozen desserts. The eatery serves up more than 30 varieties of ice cream and milkshakes that start at 5% ABV.” https://614now.com/2022/food-drink/creamery-chain-dedicated-to-boozy-ice-cream-and-milkshakes-opening-multiple-columbus-area-locations Creole restaurant serving Southern brunch, New Orleans-inspired drinks coming to the Arena District “It’s been less than six month since Creole 2 Geaux opened its first ever brick and mortar eatery inside The East Market, but that hasn’t stopped the popular Cajun concept from adding another new location. Now, Creole 2 Geaux is coming to the Arena District with its first-ever standalone restaurant space. According to owner Janvier Ward, the eatery, which will be located at 401 N. Front St., has a tentative opening date of late 2022, although this could change.” https://614now.com/2022/food-drink/creole-restaurant-serving-southern-brunch-new-orleans-inspired-drinks-coming-to-the-arena-district New spot for poke, bento boxes opens downtown “While Poke Bros., the fast-casual poke eatery, has closed its location at 100 E. Gay St., another new poke concept has opened in its place. Poke Bunny held its grand opening at the downtown storefront last month.” https://614now.com/2022/food-drink/new-spot-for-poke-bento-boxes-opens-downtown

Hadn’t realized they were ready for a groundbreaking already: Casto's Thurber Village redevelopment ready to start construction “Residents of the Harrison West neighborhood near Victorian Village are one step closer to a reality they've hoped for for years: the return of a grocery store to the Thurber Village shopping center on Neil Avenue. Columbus developer Casto held a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday at the 777 Neil Ave. strip. Casto plans to replace the existing center with two single-story commercial buildings and a five-story, 225-unit apartment building. "Neighborhood feedback has steered us to where we are so far, and I think it will continue to guide us. We always value community input," Saltzman told Columbus Business First. "We're looking forward to putting together a project the community can be proud of." Eric Leibowitz, vice president of development and leasing at Casto, said the developer is still working on the construction timeline for the building that will house Lucky's. It's expected to start after the new home of CVS, an existing tenant of the shopping center, opens next summer.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/07/casto-thurber-village.html

More info on this one: Columbus developer proposes massive mixed-use project near Dublin's Bridge Park “A Columbus developer is planning a massive mixed-use complex near Dublin's Bridge Park, but it's not Crawford Hoying. Indus Companies, which is primarily known as a hotel development and management company, is dipping into the market where Crawford Hoying has carved out a niche as the primary developer for much of the city's large-scale projects. Crawford Hoying has and continues to develop Bridge Park, a sprawling mixed-used district south of the site Indus wants to develop. The developer, in partnership with engineer EMH&T and architects Moody Nolan and MKSK, is looking to construct a five-building complex featuring a hotel, parking garage, and office and residential structures. Indus recently submitted an application to the Dublin Planning & Zoning Commission for the project, which it is calling Indus Bridge Street. The proposal consists of two blocks with an eight-story AC Marriot hotel, a six-story office building, 11- and 10-story residential buildings, and a five-story parking garage. All five buildings will have a retail component.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/07/indus-bridge-street-dublin-development.html

Yeah, I agree. I like the mix of varying heights in the district. Hopefully as the project continues, we get a good mix of mid and high rise buildings. There’s still a lot of land to work with. As nice as it would be to have the whole district filled with high rises, you have to ask if there’s a big enough market for urban living here to support such a project.

Love it. I hope we get an update on phase two soon. Seems like it’s been awhile.

A bit more info from CBF: Thrive Cos. eyes 2023 start for 10th and final phase of Italian Village project “Columbus developer Thrive Cos. plans to start building out the last of its space at the former Jeffrey Manufacturing plant in about a year. The tenth and final phase of the Jeffrey Park development will have about 275 apartments, including townhome units, and a roughly 360-space parking garage. Matt Negron, director of development for Thrive Cos., said, pending area commission and Columbus City Council approvals, the developer plans to start construction on the tenth phase at the end of summer 2023. As currently planned, the parking garage will be attached to the apartments, Negron said, essentially wrapped by the residential units.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/07/jeffrey-park-thrive-cos-phase-10.html

Now, hopefully someone will buy this stretch of buildings on High and open them back up too. I seem to remember plans to rehab them, but that may have been pre-pandemic.

More office to residential conversion news. A NY firm is in contract to buy the above, currently vacant office building at 326-8 S High St. They propose converting it to 29-33 one and two bedroom apartment units.

https://linkuscolumbus.com/linkus-is-taking-action-today-to-bring-rapid-transit-to-the-region/ From the update on BRT released a few days ago. Anyone know what the bolded part refers to? Does it mean COTA won’t need to rely on increasing sales tax to locally fund LinkUS?

Gravity 2 garage getting some color!

Considering all the current and proposed projects to densify and improve 5th Ave, this is pretty disappointing. Wendy's site on West Fifth Avenue could be torn down “Developers Kohr Royer Griffith have filed for a demolition permit with the city of Columbus that would take down that nearly 3,000-square-foot former fast food site at 1724 W. 5th Ave. in Columbus. John Royer, KRG president, confirmed that the redevelopment plan is for a new Valvoline Instant Oil change operation. A KRG affiliate is the property owner. The Wendy’s location closed last year. The Dublin-based restaurant company still has locations in the area at Olentangy River Road and King Avenue and near Dublin Road and Grandview Avenue.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/05/wendys-site-on-west-fifth-avenue-could-be-torn-do.html

I actively try to avoid reading any of the FB comments for any of the local media pages. It’s almost always a toxic cesspool of racism, fear mongering and disdain for anything urban. The parking stuff always gets me. Currently, you can go in any direction downtown and immediately find a parking lot or garage, yet people will still complain there’s not enough parking.

This is such a weird looking building… Noir Lounge now open in Cherry Street building downtown “Noir Lounge now is operating at 15 W. Cherry St. Thursdays through Sundays. Owner Kashif Smiley said that as a downtown resident himself, he felt a need for a place that offered good drinks as well as music and nightlife. “If I want that, I have to go to the Short North,” he said. “I like the Short North, but there’s a lot of young professionals downtown, too, and we want to bring another option to them. Amazing music and a good vibe.” The building is owned by RiverWest Partners, which renovated the space in the past few years. Noir Lounge is on the ground floor. RiverWest’s offices and other office space are on the upper levels of the four-story building.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/04/noir-lounge-open-cherry-street-building-downtown.html Rapper 2 Chainz-founded Esco Restaurant & Tapas coming to Gay Street in Columbus “A restaurant and lounge founded by a Grammy Award winning rapper is making its way to Columbus. Esco Restaurant & Tapas is filling the 31 E. Gay St. space downtown that most recently was Pub Mahone. The brand was founded by rapper 2 Chainz and business partner Mychel “Snoop” Dillard. The Columbus operation will be a franchise. The company has not yet responded to questions about its Columbus aspirations, but it is in the process of hiring managers and kitchen staff, according to its Instagram.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/10/04/2-chainz-esco-restaurant-tapas-columbus-gay-st.html

I posted about this proposal a month or so ago in the Random Dev thread. Now, This Week has more info: “Donald Kenney Jr., principal of Oxford Circle LLC, has proposed building a 95-unit apartment complex at 5470 Hildebrand Road in Blendon Township. Kenney wants to build one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments on 19 acres of land adjacent to the south of the property's owner, Capitol City Baptist Church, 5442 Sunbury Road. Dave Paul, co-chairperson of the Northland Community Council’s development committee, said the neighborhood group had no objection to Oxford Circle's project. “The folks generally thought that the density of more than 15 units per acre was acceptable,” Paul said. “We didn’t really have any problem with the project.” He added that Oxford Circle had spoken to the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department about making a physical connection from the apartment complex to Big Walnut Creek to the east as a benefit to renters.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/northland/2022/10/03/apartment-units-stacking-up-in-northeast-columbus/69535537007/

Columbus City Council approves plan to quadruple downtown population “Columbus is booming, but city leaders say it's not growing fast enough. Monday, Columbus City Council unanimously approved a resolution to quadruple the downtown Columbus population by 2040. Currently, there are more than 10,000 people living in downtown Columbus, but if the city council gets its way, there will be 40,000 by 2040.“ https://www.10tv.com/mobile/article/news/local/columbus-city-council-approves-a-plan-to-quadruple-the-downtown-population/