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Perhaps another out-of-state chain coming soon. Portillo's plans Ohio restaurant as part of aggressive expansion plan “A popular slinger of Chicago-style hot dogs and more is targeting Ohio for expansion. Chicago-based Portillo’s Inc. expects to open more than 10 new restaurants in 2023. That could include the chain’s first location — or possibly locations — in Ohio. The company, beloved for its menu built around hot dogs, Italian beef and crinkle-cut fries, teased its 2023 Buckeye State plans last fall when it went public. Though CEO Michael Osanloo did not mention Ohio on this week’s earnings call, he reaffirmed the company’s development goals for 2023, noting that several leases are signed and the company is already stocking up on equipment for those units now so as to minimize delays during buildout next year.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/05/portillos-eyes-ohio-for-new-restuarant-in-2023.html

Plan for Former Starling Middle School Site Moving Forward “Affordable housing developer Woda Cooper Companies is moving forward with a plan to renovate the former Starling Middle School in Franklinton. The historic building, constructed in 1908, served as the original West High School and was listed on Columbus Landmarks’ Most Endangered list in 2021. A more recent addition to the building will be torn down, and two new buildings will be constructed on the three-acre site. The historic building will be converted into a 45-unit apartment building, while the new-build portion of the project will hold 52 units. Jon McKay, VP of Development for Woda Cooper, said that he expects work to start before the end of the year on the project, and that construction will proceed on both the renovation and the new buildings at the same time. The apartments will range in size from one to three bedrooms and will be affordable to renters making between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income.” https://columbusunderground.com/plan-for-former-starling-middle-school-site-moving-forward-bw1/

I think you hit it on the head. I think it was just recently Experience Columbus released tourism data showing day visitors are actually up but overnight visitors are still way down from pre-pandemic. Mostly related to business travel still being depressed. Hopefully as events keep coming back to the convention center and as Intel and others set up camp here, we’ll see increase in overnight travel, leading to demand for another hotel tower.

Another tale of two Americas. Further disparities likely leading to more polarization. What Remote Work Debate? They’ve Been Back at the Office for a While. “The competition for parking space is getting steeper. Commutes are inching longer. Workplace lounges are filling up with commotion as junior associates play cornhole. What return-to-office debate? In some parts of the country, it’s been settled. “I know almost nobody in Columbus who is fully remote,” said Grant Blosser, 35, who works at a financial services firm. In October 2020, Mr. Blosser started going back into his office in Columbus, Ohio, five days a week. He cracked jokes with the young analysts, one of whom recently dragged his team to hot yoga. (It “kicked our butts.”) He listened to his book club’s selection in the car (currently, a biography of Winston Churchill). It was a relief, he said, to feel the “separation of church and state” that came from leaving the house each day. More than two years into the pandemic, American corporate workplaces have splintered. Some are nearly as full as they were before Covid-19 struck; others sit abandoned, printers switched off and Keurig cups collecting dust. Workers in America’s midsize and small cities have returned to the office in far greater numbers than those in the biggest U.S. cities. Some executives in large cities are hoping they’ll catch up, though they’ve been impeded by safety and health concerns about mass transit commutes, as well as competitive job markets where employees are more likely to call the shots. In small cities — those with populations under 300,000 — the share of paid, full days worked from home dropped to 27 percent this spring from around 42 percent in October 2020. In the 10 largest U.S. cities, days worked from home shifted to roughly 38 percent from 50 percent in that same period, according to a team of researchers at Stanford and other institutions led by the economists Steven Davis, Nick Bloom and Jose Maria Barrero.” https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/01/business/return-to-office-battles.html

I didn’t see any new dev news, but the CBF cover story on Connect’s rehab work on projects like the Municipal Light Plant and the East Market was still an interesting read. THE PATRON SAINT OF LOST CAUSES “Today, the Municipal Light Plant has about a dozen office tenants and is seen by tens of thousands of people who attend Columbus Crew games. It’s indicative of DeHays, who has created a reputation for finding buildings no one wants in areas other developers avoid. “(DeHays) is an important contributor to the fabric of the city,” Black said.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/04/brad-dehays-columbus-developer-historic-projects.html

National peach cobbler and cinnamon roll chain opening first-ever Columbus location “The Peach Cobbler Factory is coming to Columbus. The large national chain serving 12 different types of cobbler, 12 types of cinnamon rolls and 4 varieties of banana pudding has announced it will be opening soon in the Columbus area on a newly-created Facebook page. Peach Cobbler Factory CEO Greg George confirmed that the concept is opening a Columbus storefront and that it has secured a location, although the location was not shared with 614Now.” https://614now.com/2022/food-drink/national-peach-cobbler-and-cinnamon-roll-chain-chain-opening-first-ever-columbus-location

Hopefully this gets approved and started soon. There’s already several multi family buildings in the immediate area, and it gets rid of a handful of nondescript single story buildings. 180-Unit Building Proposed for Densifying Corridor in Fifth by Northwest “A proposal to build a five-story, 180-unit mixed-use development in Fifth by Northwest will be heard by the Columbus Development Commission this afternoon. The project would require the demolition of three single-story buildings, located at 1138-1156 Chambers Rd. The buildings sit just to the east of Meister’s Bar, which is not a part of the development and will remain. The new building would have a 2,000-square-foot restaurant space on the first floor and a two-level parking garage with space for 290 cars, according to zoning documents submitted to the city. Preferred Living is the developer, a company that has been very active in the immediate area – directly across the street from the proposed building, the five-story Essex apartment building was recently completed and is now leasing, while the five-story Fairfax building, at 1550 Kenny Road, is listed as “coming soon” on Preferred Living’s website.” https://columbusunderground.com/180-unit-building-proposed-for-densifying-corridor-in-fifth-by-northwest-bw1/

Apparently Ohio cities are the most likely to weather a housing downturn. 3Cs+A, apparently sometimes it pays to be less trendy 🤷🏼‍♂️ The 12 best cities to weather a housing-market downturn when a recession strikes ‘"If the U.S. does enter a recession, we're unlikely to see a housing-market crash like in the Great Recession because the factors affecting the economy are different," Sheharyar Bokhari, a senior economist at Redfin, said in a housing report. "But a recession — or even a continued economic downturn that doesn't reach recession levels — would impact some local housing markets more than others." Redfin researchers looked at several indicators to rank cities on their chances of a housing market downturn in the case of a US recession. The fear, in this case, is that as the broader economy tightens, some home values may decline leaving homeowners holding a mortgage for more than the value of their investment. With buyer demand waning, Redfin's data shows cities with rapidly rising home prices are more at risk of downturn. However, less trendy and more affordable markets — mostly those in the Rust Belt region — remain resilient. This could mean real estate investments in these areas stand a better chance of weathering a housing slump if the US enters a recession.” 11. Columbus 6. Cincinnati 5. Cleveland 1. Akron https://www.businessinsider.com/best-cities-real-estate-investment-recession-housing-prices-steady-strong-2022-8

Don’t worry, the Supreme Court already granted those rights. They would never strip away any body’s rights!

I figured something was going on, with how long this was taking to break ground. Kreais is also saying their Whittier food hall may be delayed past 2023 too. Merion Village townhome development site changes hands “The development, dubbed Eisen 359, is slated to rise on what is today a surface parking lot at 359 Frebis Ave. Vu Ho, managing partner for investment company VNet, bought the land and the project plans from Columbus Kreais Cos., who had been developing the project, for $950,000. Ho is based in Central Ohio. Tom Trigg, a broker with Keller Williams who represented the buyer, said VNet will now take the project to completion and hopes to break ground before the end of this year. The project is out to bid now. Aaron Kreais, principal with Kreais Cos., said the townhomes didn't line up with some of the other projects the developer is working on. This was Kreais Cos.' first new construction project; the developer has done several rehabilitation projects.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/03/merion-village-townhome-development-changes-hands.html

Perhaps “former” would have been more appropriate lol I feel like these buildings won’t last much longer than that, either, before they decide to redevelop it again 😬

We recently found out this project reapplied for TMUD tax credits with the state. Looks like a pretty big undertaking. Polaris team plans $150 million mixed-use development “The development team behind Polaris is planning a massive, $150 million mixed-use project in the area and is seeking a state tax credit to help move it forward. The project, dubbed the Galaxy at Polaris, is slated to be built in two phases. The first would include 12 acres of office, retail and restaurant space and hundreds of apartments just east of Top Golf and Ikea. NP Limited Partnership plans to break ground on the development this fall. "The scale of this project is enormous," said Franz Geiger, the managing director of NP Limited Partnership. "Polaris is auto-centric. This kind of walkable development with the land we have left to develop up here can raise the profile of Polaris." The first phase is expected to include eight buildings, including a six-story parking garage with 672 spaces. Other planned components include a six-story building with 276 apartments; a 7,000 square-foot clubhouse; 10,000 square feet of office space and 10,500 square feet of retail and restaurant space, as well as a four-story apartment building with 136 units. Both of those buildings will have parking garages.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/03/polaris-mixed-use-development-apartments-retail.html

Hmm, keeping it vague I see 🧐 Also, President Biden has signed the Chips Act into law, and Intel doesn’t expect to see money from it until next year. Intel, suppliers meet in New Albany “A few dozen Intel suppliers met with company officials along with state and local leaders Tuesday in New Albany. Intel expects to begin producing semiconductors in 2025 and will need suppliers to be located nearby. Intel didn't identify which companies were at the meeting. When Intel announced its project back in January, it identified four suppliers – Air Products of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Applied Materials, LAM Research and Ultra Clean Technology, all based in California – that have indicated plans to establish a physical presence in the region to support the build-out of the site, with more companies expected in the future. Land has been set aside at the site in New Albany for suppliers. "(We're) working to build the best computer chip supply chain in the world right here in Ohio," Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said he told those in attendance.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/08/03/biden-signs-chips-act-into-law-providing-incentives-chip-makers/10199882002/

Two huge spec buildings planned for new Delaware business park “Exxcel Project Management and Bridge Investment Group will start construction on three industrial buildings at the new Sawmill Pointe Business Park following work by the city of Delaware to extend Sawmill Parkway. Exxcel is planning to put up two, 147,000-square-foot speculative industrial buildings. Those plans will be considered at the Oct. 5 city planning commission meeting, said Adam Mandel, senior vice president of business development for the city of Delaware. Mandel said Exxcel hopes to break ground early next year. The buildings could be configured to accommodate a variety of tenants, he said. The park also would include a new 202,165-square-foot production facility for Delaware-based Inno-Pak, which will sit on about 14 acres. Mandel said Exxcel broke ground on the Inno-Pak building in July. It will be located on a new road the developer is building. Mandel said the business park is Exxcel's first investment in Delaware. Exxcel and Bridge Investment Group will spend $50 million on the three buildings already planned.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/03/delaware-business-park.html

God I hope this jack wagon loses in November. Ohio Senate candidate J.D. Vance opposes bill to protect gay, interracial marriage rights “U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance said Tuesday that he doesn't support federal legislation to codify protections for same-sex and interracial marriage, calling it a "bizarre distraction" from other issues. Speaking to reporters at the Ohio State Fair, Vance characterized the bill as a solution in search of a problem. "You have a sky-high inflation crisis, you have a huge recessionary problem, and we're arguing about rights that have already been granted by the Supreme Court," he said. "It seems like a bizarre distraction for a country that actually has much, much deeper and more serious crises." Vance also argued that the proposal raises religious liberty concerns and doesn't balance marriage equality with the rights of churches or nonprofits to operate according to their values.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/08/02/ohio-senate-race-jd-vance-opposes-respect-marriage-act/10216223002/

I saw that too. Looks like it’s gonna be a Bank of America branch and restaurant space.

I think so too. I’m just impatient and want it all now lol

Oh, I’ve gotta add this too: we really need a developer to take ownership of improving the Long St corridor between High and 5th the way Jeff Edwards has along High and Gay. I started my walk at Roosevelt on Long and then went over to Gay and headed west to High. Then north on High to Long, and back east to Roosevelt. Most of Gay is really nice to walk down. Plenty of shade, nice sidewalks, plants, other people walking around, plenty of places to stop in, and the Pearl Market was nice to walk through too. High was loud, obviously, but enough shade and plenty of things to look at. Long, however, is a horrible experience. No shade, cracks and weeds on the sidewalks, hardly anything to look at except parking lots and boarded up shops, and cars speeding through. There are a few islands of activity (Slammers, Pins, etc.), but we really need someone (or several someones) to start filling in the gaps between those islands and making the pedestrian experience so much better.

Work is full steam ahead on the rehab of the White-Haines and Madison buildings. How long were these vacant? Smelled musty AF walking past them.

Framing is going up for the townhomes on the corner of Long and 6th.

Looks like more utilities materials are being delivered in prep for Thrive’s Mount Carmel redev. And NCR’s senior living project appears to be nearing completion.

Lots of SFHs going up. And work continues on framing for the Morrison apartments.

The old Miller’s Ale House is gone and the buildings for Chipotle, Starbucks, and Raising Canes are going up on the corner of ORR and 3rd Ave.

I still can’t believe what a behemoth this thing is. Taken from the Lennox parking lot.

I can’t wait for it to be done in six years! 😂