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Ahhh, so there actually are some plans for the Graham Ford site. It’ll be great to actually see that land put to use. And I figured the west side of Mount Carmel would be starting soon—I saw a few pieces of digging equipment over there earlier today. Thrive Cos. wants state tax credits for Mount Carmel West redevelopment, Grandview Crossing “The roughly 13-acre project will eventually include hundreds of apartments, a 2-acre park, retail and potentially some offices. Pizzuti Cos. and Thrive Cos. have teamed up to redevelop the former Graham Ford site at 707 W. Broad St. adjacent to the Mount Carmel site, as part of the overall project. Negron said it will be part of later phases of development after the site is remediated. Thrive Cos. will start on the first phase of the project — about 200 apartments where the hospital once stood — in about a week. Some 10% of the apartment units will be held at 80% of the area median income and 10% will be held at 100% of the area median income, Negron said. Thrive will also build 37 for-sale homes at the Mount Carmel site. The first two homes were donated to the Central Ohio Community Land Trust, which keeps the units affordable through future sales. The project's second phase could include 220 to 250 more apartments, also on the site where the hospital once stood. "This is a truly mixed-use project, with housing, retail and a park," Negron said.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/19/thrive-cos-mount-carmel-west-grandview-crossing-t.html

Good for the East Side. OSU working with for-profit company to build new hospital in Columbus “Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center will build a new 80-bed rehabilitation hospital on the east side of Columbus. The facility, which will eventually replace OSU’s existing Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital, will be built in partnership with for-profit healthcare company Kindred Rehabilitation Services, a division of LifePoint Health, the medical center announced Friday. The 86,000-square-foot adult inpatient hospital will be near OSU East Hospital, adjacent to the medical center’s Outpatient Care East, on Taylor Avenue. OSU trustees approved a ground lease for the 2.3-acre site this week. The facility doesn’t have a cost estimate yet, according to OSU officials, or a construction timeline, beyond an expected opening date of 2025.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/19/osu-rehabilitation-hospital-dodd-replacement.html

Yeah, I was arguing with a coworker a few weeks back bc he was complaining about the Giant Eagle redev in SP being “too big and tall” and how we needed to “build out, not up,” but at the same time, he was complaining about how we don’t have rail and better transit. Like, one of our problems with not getting better transit is that we’re already too far spread out. I think it would take a concerted effort from leadership across the entire region to try to incentivize building up city cores over greenfield dev, but I just can’t see that happening :/

Makes sense. I figured it was a matter of time. I won’t complain about more HCT either! Hope they keep the mural though.

Ohio State energy vendor terminates contract for major campus construction project “Construction of a nearly $300 million new combined heat and power plant that is supposed to eventually power Ohio State University’s west campus has stopped following a dispute with the contractor building the project. OSU Energy Partners, a private company that manages OSU’s energy infrastructure, is in negotiations with a new contractor, according to OSU's Mark Conselyea, vice president for facilities operations and development. Until then, “the construction activities have been suspended,” Conselyea told trustees on Thursday. The university hopes that construction work will resume by the end of September.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/18/osu-engie-combined-heat-chiller.html

Is that the location at the corner of 5th and Grandview? I’d thought Sweet Carrot was still using it for catering.

Few more renderings out today for the Civic. Owners of the Warehouse District will also ask the Downtown Commission for approval to demo a single story building on N 6th St to make way for a parking lot. Hopefully they will say no.

CBF staff must be on here lol they posted some more renderings. https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/18/lusso-italian-village-apartments-new-renderings.html

I dunno why it’s so hard to track down renderings for it. The signage app that was put up for conceptual review in July might give some hints, but I’ll have to keep looking. https://columbusohdev.box.com/s/3r36jcbivvfkarny4z2xrbfpkg963gqj

Been a minute since we’ve heard about this one. Italian Village developer Kevin Lykens moves forward with redevelopment of Harrison West pipe organ factory “Veteran Italian Village developer Kevin Lykens is moving toward a fall construction start on his redevelopment of a former pipe organ factory. The Bunn-Minnick building, which manufactured and restored pipe organs at 875 Michigan Ave. in Harrison West, closed in 2018. Lykens, owner of Lykens Cos., wants to turn the old factory into apartments. The historic building will have 27 units and a newly built building behind it will have 28 units. There will be a mix of studio, one and two bedroom apartments. Lykens expects the project will cost about $12 million. Columbus City Council approved the rezoning for the project in 2021. Lykens said he's still waiting on permits for the original building part of project, but expects to hear back within the next month or so and break ground this fall. Lykens bought the site in 2018, according to the Franklin County Auditor.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/18/harrison-west-pipe-organ-factory-kevin-lykens.html

Atlanta-Based Esco Restaurant & Tapas Expands to Columbus “A new restaurant and lounge will make its debut Downtown this fall. Atlanta-based Esco Restaurant & Tapas will open its first Ohio location at 31 E. Gay St., the former home of Pub Mahone which closed at the end of March. Akron-based entrepreneur Jessica Kay is the owner and operator of the franchise, which will be the brand’s third location nationwide and first outside of Georgia. Work is underway on the space, with the restaurant and bar slated for a late November opening.” https://columbusunderground.com/atlanta-based-esco-restaurant-tapas-expands-to-columbus-sp1/

Kinda odd there’s no signage on the west side.

I haven’t been over there since early summer. So much progress!

If you’re staying in the hotel, and you start hearing strange noises at night…. The North Market sign should be moving over to the west side of the building soon too.

Not really surprising. It’s still getting close, though. Hilton Columbus Downtown tower opening delayed as team races to finish “The Hilton Columbus Downtown has slightly delayed its opening as hundreds of new staff members quickly get trained and prepare the new hotel tower for guests. The 28-story, 463-room tower will be open to guests on Sept. 11, following about three years of construction on the project, said Don Brown, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. A grand opening celebration, previously scheduled for Aug. 29, has also been delayed. It will now take place Sept. 8. The Ohio Dental Association is among the first groups that will arrive once the property opens. Then, on Sept 17, the hotel will welcome the International City/County Management Association for its first sell-out. “They’ll occupy the entire hotel,” Brown said. “That’s a big deal for us.”’ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/16/hilton-columbus-downtown-opening-september.html

I’d never even realized Scrambler’s had shut down… New whole food-focused cafe featuring sandwiches, bagels and more opens in German Village Area “A brand-new, and totally wholesome, spot for breakfast and lunch has arrived at Schumacher Place. Simply Honest Cafe held its soft opening on Aug. 12, and will officially open for delivery, take-out and curbside pickup on Aug. 26. The eatery will open its dining room to the public shortly afterward as well. The new concept is located at 567 E. Livingston Ave., across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, near the corner of Livingston Avenue and Parsons Avenue. The restaurant has taken over the former home of Scrambler Marie’s.” https://614now.com/2022/food-drink/new-whole-food-focused-cafe-featuring-sandwiches-bagels-and-more-opens-in-german-village-area

Sounds like this is near CW, but within Cbus city limits. That’s a huge space, wonder who they are in discussion with? Indiana developer Becknell Industrial plans 500,000-square-foot building near Canal Winchester “A new industrial building spanning more than half-a-million square feet is coming to south Columbus. Indiana-based developer Becknell Industrial will construct the more than 527,000-square-foot building near Canal Winchester in south Columbus. Dubbed Winchester 527, the property is situated near the intersection of Winchester Pike, Gender Road and U.S. 33. Nearby companies include DHL, Pitney Bowes, Chadwell Supply, Covetrus, Walgreens and Kenco Logistics. Todd Spencer told me a zoning change to planned industrial park has been approved, as has a 10-year, 75% tax abatement for the project. A tenant has not been named for the project, but Spencer said they have a deal in the works. The building is expected to be delivered in August 2023.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/16/industrial-building-canal-winchester-area.html

COTA board OKs $395.7 million capital budget including transit center near Rickenbacker “The Central Ohio Transit Authority's board of trustees on Monday adopted a five-year, $395.7 million capital budget, while extending the C-pass program in the Short North for free bus rides and making permanent a reduced-fare program for low-income riders. The capital budget for 2023-27 includes a new $19 million transit center at Groveport and London-Groveport (Ohio Route 317) roads near Rickenbacker International Airport. The COTA board previously approved the Rickenbacker Mobility Center project in its 2021 five-year capital plan. COTA officials also announced the transit agency received a $26.7-million federal grant to replace 28 diesel buses with electric buses by 2025. COTA may have no diesel buses after that, said Andy Biesterveld, COTA's chief engineering and mechanical officer.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/08/16/cota-new-rickenbacker-transit-center-columbus-bus-capital-budget/

Interestingly, looks like Schiff will have their High & Blenkner project, which had already received approval in June, back before the BD commission, asking for a further reduction in required parking space. I guess they replaced some of the parking with a few additional units.

Downtown Columbus retail scene grows with new flower shop “The retail scene in downtown Columbus is growing with a new flower shop. Sweet Blossom Floral now is open at 14 N. High St. Owner Alexandria Ottney started her business in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her downtown storefront officially opens in 2023, but she is currently filling orders and taking client meetings from her new space. Ottney offers fresh and dried bouquets and arrangements. Michael Tomko, who owns the building, said there are three vacant retail spaces in the buildings he owns downtown. The available space totals 4,500 square feet and includes the former homes of Jack and Benny's, Edible Arrangements and Viiza. Tomko said he's focused on looking for the right mix of retail tenants to complement Sweet Blossom Floral. He said he's interested in restaurants, staffing companies and even an art gallery. He's also working on adding plants and refreshing the streetscape to improve the pedestrian experience.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/15/sweet-blossom.html

Both Sheetz locations received approval from the City. Columbus Development Commission approves Sheetz site it previously opposed “Sheetz is moving forward with a Hilltop convenience store and gas station. The proposed location at 782 and 744 N. Wilson Road met opposition from the city’s planning department and the Columbus Development Commission earlier this year. The plans didn’t change between the spring and now, but an in-person defense by members of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission, which supported Sheetz in the spring as well, made the difference this time around. The commission also unanimously supported Sheetz plans at 3891 S. High St., which would bring a 6,000-square-foot shop to an outparcel in front of the Lowe’s store there.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/15/columbus-development-commission-approves-sheetz-si.html

Chase Bank to build new branch on COTA park-and-ride lot on Cemetery Road “Chase Bank can proceed with the construction of a 3,410-square-foot bank on the forward part of the parking lot of the Central Ohio Transit Authority’s park and ride at 4199 Parkway Lane, on the south side of Cemetery Road and west side of Parkway Lane. COTA is splitting the lot and Chase Bank is to be constructed on the northern half of the lot while COTA’s park and ride is to continue occupation of the southern half of the lot, according to Carson Combs, a planning manager for Hilliard. A representative for Chase Bank indicated they intended to break ground by the end of the year on construction of the bank, Combs said.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/hilliard/2022/08/15/chase-bank-build-new-branch-cota-park-and-ride-lot-cemetery-road

Mount Carmel Health re-evaluating construction of hospital, medical office in Dublin “Construction of a 30-bed in-patient hospital and a medical office building on 35 acres at Emerald Parkway and Interstate 270 appears in jeopardy of being deep-sixed after the project manager for Mount Carmel Health System indicated that conditions set by Dublin’s planning and zoning commission might be too great to overcome. Denny Freudeman, president and CEO of Delaware-based Hplex Solutions and project manager for Mount Carmel Health System's proposal to build the hospital and medical office, said Mount Carmel is facing a “dilemma” about whether or not to proceed with construction of a medical campus one year in the planning. Samantha Irons, a spokeswoman for Mount Carmel Health System, said Aug. 15 that Mount Carmel is "reviewing the city's feedback and evaluating next steps." Dublin’s planning and zoning commission Aug. 4 unanimously approved a final development plan for construction of the hospital and medical office, but with 44 conditions, Freudeman said that has required Mount Carmel to re-evaluate advancing to construction.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/dublin/2022/08/15/mount-carmel-health-re-evaluating-construction-of-hospital-medical-office-in-dublin

Bummer, might still be several months before we see movement.

I think the original plan was for 75 units, so either the office space is getting reduced, or the apartments are getting smaller. Anyway, here’s some renderings of the amenity deck. They’ve been out for awhile, but I don’t think they’ve been posted on here yet.