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https://downtowncolumbus.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/220719-Community-Workshop-3-Slide-Deck-LR-v4-1.pdf Here’s a link to the full presentation, if anyone wants to take a look through it. Regarding the population goal, I do think 40,000 will be difficult to hit, but I don’t think it’s completely impossible, either. I would have to double check to say for sure, but I believe Downtown’s population has been growing by about 1000/yr the past few years. It would need to increase that by 500-600 in order to hit the goal. Tough, but there’s a lot going on. Housing wise, just between the three office conversions that are underway or planned (PNC, Continental, OJFS), that’s several hundred new units. I would expect to see even more conversions over the next couple of decades. Conversions combined with the couple hundred acres of surface lots we have to build on, we could easily make room (1800 units are possible just for the Peninsula alone). Also by 2040, Intel’s buildout will be complete (assuming), bringing tens of thousands of jobs to the region. Some percentage of those people will want to live Downtown. NCH has major expansions in the works, and Downtown should be able to capture some of that employee base, with the proximity. Ultimately, though, it will all come down to how committed TPTB are to making Downtown a desirable place to be over the course of the next two decades, and making sure that everyone is able to afford to live there.

God, how I would love for Broad to get some sort of improvement/diet like this: Downtown Plan: New Visuals Show Redesigned Streets, High-Density Neighborhoods “A new goal was unveiled at this week’s meeting – 40,000 people living in Downtown Columbus by the year 2040. In order to achieve that, many more of Downtown’s 214 acres of surface parking lots will need to be developed, and the area’s transit and active transportation options will need to improve in order for that to be possible. Hermann pointed to Gay Street as an example of a street that has been successfully densified, and to the construction of a public parking garage as a key part of that evolution, since it made it possible for developers to start building on what was at the time a huge collection of surface lots. A visual presented at the meeting showed how the East Spring Street corridor and the surrounding area could be enhanced with new development and parks. When the full draft plan is completed, it will include images showing how other Downtown districts could undergo a similar transformation, Hermann said. The goal is to complete the full draft plan by September, he added, and then to present it to City Council for approval some time this fall.” https://columbusunderground.com/downtown-plan-new-visuals-show-redesigned-streets-high-density-neighborhoods-bw1/

Are those already up, or are these renderings? Glad they’re still going through with the public restrooms; I was beginning to think the plan had fallen to the wayside.

Yeah, all these big developments projects—TruePointe, GVX, GVY, Quarry Trails, etc—are fine, but could be so much better if not surrounded by seas of parking. I went to see Quarry Trails during the Urban Living Tour this year, and man is that parking lot surrounded by apartment buildings an eyesore. I don’t know what can be done to change it at this point, though. There’s so much available land in the region, and such a love for cars. Even the big success of Bridge Park, like you mentioned, hasn’t convinced m/any developers to change 🤷🏼‍♂️

A bit more on the plans for TruePointe, including hints at potential tenants: Hilliard's TruePointe to offer white-tablecloth restaurants unique to central Ohio “The Hilliard Planning and Zoning Commission on July 14 unanimously approved a modification to the existing planned unit development (PUD) zoning to allow for a mixed-use development that includes restaurants, hotels and residential uses. Hilliard City Council on Aug. 22 is to consider the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission to approve the PUD modification. “Mass excavation,” in the arrival of heavy equipment to begin moving earth would begin by the end of the year, he said. “We expect to start going vertical (with beginning the foundations of buildings) sometime in May (2023),” Wathen said. TruePointe is not to be built in phases, so if there are no disruptions, the $100-million-plus, mixed-use development on 23.5 acres and encompassing more than 300,000 square feet of office space and hotels and more than 45,000 square feet of retail is to be complete in about two years from the start of construction, Wathen said.” I’m going to guess they are referring to Rogue here, even though they sorta operated a CrossFit gym 10+ years ago. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/hilliard/2022/07/20/hilliards-truepointe-offer-white-tablecloth-restaurants-unique-central-ohio/10101664002/?itm_medium=recirc&itm_source=taboola&itm_campaign=internal&itm_content=MobileBelowHomepageFeed-FeedRedesign

My point was that it comes across as sounding very privileged. If a resident of Jaeger Square is taking his on-street parking spot, they too are unable to park right in front of their residence. I would rather have a minor inconvenience for myself if it meant more density and increased housing opportunities for others. Plus, he has a two car garage. I’m sorry to hear about your vehicle, though! That really sucks 😔

Thank god. It’s been sitting vacant for too long. Pizzuti project near German Village could start soon “Movement will happen soon, assured a spokesperson for The Pizzuti Companies. “We experienced some supply chain issues, as most have at this point,” said the spokesperson in an email statement. “We’re anticipating some movement within the next month or so.” And they gave a new estimated completion date: “The project is expected to complete the second half of 2024.” Construction delays are a common problem for builders right now, South Side Area Commissioner Curtis Davis said. He said in an email that Pizzuti’s project — now called Jaeger Square — is moving forward.” Oh, the horror! https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/pizzuti-project-near-german-village-could-start-soon/?fbclid=IwAR2bSpATfKVdJaSZeWAGTO8ywqOz1_e8kuUTggLUq7r68rMSWNNeo44HT40&fs=e&s=cl

It seems like, compared to the Crossline project next door, it’s been going up much slower since its start.

Look at that, you called it! The upper level courtyard and the grand staircase are both nice touches, I think. I also believe these renderings for 640 W Town from Arch City are updated too. Includes a couple views of the amenity deck, the renovated SFH, and the 3-unit building.

I think it’s this proposal from April: Hope to see it get started soon.

With the neighborhood recommending approval, I would be surprised to see them vote no, but I agree with you.

Casto's Thurber Village shopping center redevelopment up for council vote soon “Columbus City Council held its first reading of the rezoning of the Thurber Village Shopping Center Monday evening and is expected to hold its final vote on the project next week. Columbus developer Casto shared plans this springto turn the Victorian Village-area shopping center into two single-story commercial buildings and a five-story, 225-unit apartment building. The Development Commission approved the project in May. The Harrison West Society recommended approval of the project in March. If approved by Columbus City Council, site work could start at the end of this year, with the new CVS opening sometime next summer, Casto previously said.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/07/19/castos-thurber-village-shopping-center.html

First Look: Modern Duplex in Schumacher Place “Columbus Street west of Parsons Avenue features a mix of building types, ranging from modest single-story houses to larger historic homes to 1960s-era apartment buildings. The latest addition to the block, though, stands out from all of them. Construction work recently wrapped up on a new duplex at 509-511 E. Columbus St. The building, with its steep-pitched roof and third-floor roof decks, brings a distinctly modern look to Schumacher Place.” https://columbusunderground.com/first-look-modern-duplex-in-schumacher-place-bw1/

Oh my…

Variances/re-zoning for both of these were approved by City Council last night. Obvi, both projects are still contingent on approval of OFHA funding.

Design firm Ware Malcomb opens Columbus office “Design firm Ware Malcomb has moved into an office in the Short North. The office, at 875 N. High St., is the firm’s third in the Midwest and will support its growing client and project base in the region, the company said in a media release. The firm had not previously been in Columbus. The firm did not disclose how much space it's taking in the building, which was developed by Pizzuti Cos. Dubbed The Offices at The Sutton, the 875 N. High St. property has 45,000 square feet of office and 12,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Sound + Light Creative, Frazier Consulting Services and Jump Legal also have offices in the building. Ware Malcomb, a 50-year-old firm, provides architecture, planning, interior design, civil engineering and branding services to its clients. The firm has offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/07/18/design-ware-malcomb-opens-columbus-office.html

Today’s been a not bad day for downtown office news! Too soon to hope to see AH go the way of CMM? Matt Scantland's disease-reversal startup AndHealth plans move to former CoverMyMeds building “Matt Scantland and several executives of his new startup AndHealth certainly will know their way around their new office. The disease-reversal telehealth company is planning to move to 2 Miranova Place in downtown Columbus, according to a City Council document. Scantland's previous company, CoverMyMeds, spent six years in the 12-story building, expanding to four full floors before moving to the new headquarters campus in Franklinton last year. AndHealth projects it will add 65 jobs to a base of 21 employees and invest $1.1 million in renovating and equipping 21,000 square feet, according to the incentive proposal from the city Department of Development. That is the size of one floor at 2 Miranova, according to property listings. Representatives with the startup were not immediately available for comment. The company, incorporated as And Health LLC, has been leasing private offices in a coworking space.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/07/18/andhealth-2-miranova-downtown-expansion.html

Columbus City Council to consider tax breaks for project at Columbus Castings site “Columbus City Council will consider incentives for the company redeveloping the former Columbus Castings site. The 70-acre Columbus Castings foundry on Columbus' south side has been vacant since 2016. Atlanta-based Stonemont Financial Group plans to redevelop the site with speculative industrial buildings. Michael Stevens, development director for the city of Columbus, said the city and Stonemont have been in conversations for a few months on potential incentives for the site. Columbus City Council will consider three 75%, 10-year enterprise zone agreements for Stonemont's project at the site; a first reading of the incentives is scheduled for Monday's meeting. Stevens said the goal is to get higher-wage jobs with benefits for Columbus residents, so any incentives given would aim to create those kind of jobs.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/07/18/columbus-castings-incentives-industrial-developmen.html

^that's really big news for Astor Park. Also from the article: “Pizzuti Cos. and Haslam Sports Group, Astor Park's developers, have started construction on the neighborhood's first office building, 600 W. Nationwide Blvd. BBI plans to buy the property and fund construction costs, according to the proposal from the city Department of Development. The full project cost also includes furniture and equipment.“ I hope this ends up leading to a quicker build out, with BBI taking the whole first building.

Add another to the list of live-fire restaurants coming soon: Star Columbus chef Avishar Barua launching new grill-inspired restaurant in the Brewery District “Former “Top Chef” standout Avishar Barua recently began work on a travel-inspired eatery in Worthington, and now he’s unveiled plans for an exciting new Brewery District concept as well. Barua will be creating a new live-fire restaurant named after the Hindu god of fire, Agni. The new eatery will be located 716 S. High St., in the former home of Ambrose & Eve, although no opening date has been announced yet. According to Barua, Agni’s menu will be unified by the idea of the grill, of preparing food over flames.” https://614now.com/2022/food-drink/star-columbus-chef-avishar-barua-planning-new-grill-inspired-brewery-district-restaurant

Thankfully it sounds like no one was hurt in the collapse. Sadly, I’m sure the rest of the building will come down now. https://www.10tv.com/mobile/article/news/local/east-columbus-partial-building-collapse/530-d6cb3274-1d54-46a0-a449-f16137a8e5c8?fbclid=IwAR2rp97WIAjqSvzG80qEfrugb1X-DDc9pKjZ3EjKPH8pBUFqG5yXEbs6asU

Table from NPR with data from major metros showing how over or under built each is. Unfortunately, it looks like the data only runs to 2019. 91. Columbus, OH Shortage 18,767 units short 2% short 122. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Shortage 10,245 units short 1% short 172. Cleveland-Elyria, OH Met needs but getting worse 5,397 units in excess 0.6% in excess https://www.npr.org/2022/07/14/1109345201/theres-a-massive-housing-shortage-across-the-u-s-heres-how-bad-it-is-where-you-l

Has anyone heard anything about if the new construction is still going to happen? It’s annoying the Dorrian Commons Park has been fenced off for a couple years now yet no movement…

It’ll be down to three SFHs by the time the zoning commission is done with it 😳

^The OSU tower is really becoming prominent from just about anywhere in the city. Gravity 2 even has some visibility from as far away as 670. Good pics!