amped91

I can’t blame Cbus for wanting in on some of the cash, especially with WFH projected to cost the city a ton in decreased tax revenue. I had been wondering how the water service aspect was going to play out. I hope the “new Easton” is just hyperbole. The “new Easton” is too close to “Easton Easton,” and they would just cannibalize each other.

Building on the discussion of S High development started in the Random Development thread (regarding The Fort), the Dispatch is reporting this morning on a couple of large affordable housing developments for which the Far South Columbus Area Commission recently gave recommendations of approval for zoning variances at their June 2 meeting. The first one: ”If all goes according to plan, NRP Group would demolish the Rice Bowl, a Chinese restaurant at 2300 S. High St., and build three, four-story buildings in its stead and on surrounding property. The complex's 240 one- to four-bedroom apartments would serve families making anywhere from 30% to 80% of the area's median income, according to Scott Skinner, vice president of development at NRP. The first floor of one building would also be occupied by a child-care provider.“ Currently, however, the owners of Rice Bowl have no plans on closing and NRP does not own the property. City Council is expected to hear the proposal next month. The second project: ”LDG Development would like to build an affordable apartment complex on nearly 8 acres of vacant land immediately south of Lowe's on South High Street. The complex remains in the design phase, but could include hundreds of one- to four-bedroom apartments, available to families making an average of 60% of the area median income, according to Zac Linsky, development manager for LDG.” The developer has stated they are in negotiations with COTA to extend service closer to the project. The current closest stop is a ten minute walk. https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/06/20/developers-propose-apartment-complexes-columbus-far-south-side/7530943001/

Looks like work has finally restarted on the renovation of the Standard Building in the Warehouse District. I believe this is supposed to be a mix of office, retail and apartments. It’s been so long, I don’t remember all the details.

Grandview Crossing continues to grow and grow. Framing is going up on one of the mixed use buildings, while, directly across the street, the second mixed use building has recently gone vertical. Not pictured, but foundation work has started on the eastern most part of the development for more residential buildings.

That’s right! Good find. I’d completely forgotten about this Dispatch article from February: Thrive Companies seeking up to $10M to clean up Buckeye Auto junkyard for redevelopment “Thrives Companies is seeking up to $10 million in state cleanup money for a polluted junkyard and former landfill on McKinley Avenue along the Scioto River. Thrive wants to build a mixed-use development there that includes housing, a 12-acre park and a boat launch. The site at 2474 McKinley Ave. is now home to Buckeye Auto Parts and has previousbeen a landfill. According to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the pollutants buried there include organics, inorganics, heavy metals, paints, pigments, incinerator ash, and demolition debris. Thrive plans to call the development Westbend. "By connecting more people to nature and natural resources, Westbend hopes to cultivate an area for residents and guests to live, work and play," the City Council resolution said.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/02/12/developer-wants-10-million-clean-up-mckinley-ave-site-project/6702857001/ If they’re planning a boat launch there, I guess they should be able to clean up the water too. Glad this got funding, should make for a nice mixed-use dev.

Second crane now up 🏗

Kroger Bakery, Astor Park, other local projects awarded brownfield remediation funds “Several Franklin County projects have been awarded brownfield remediation funds from the state, including the Kroger Bakery project and Astor Park. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon HustedFriday announced state support for 112 brownfield remediation projects that will help clean up contaminated properties in Ohio to make way for future economic development. The grants total $192 million across 41 counties in Ohio, including eight in Franklin County.” Now we know what Rogue has planned at this site: “5CL Properties LLC, for site cleanup on a property located at 1363 and 1380 Windsor Ave. that contained a zinc oxide manufacturing facility. The project is dubbed "Strength," according to the project application. 5CL Properties is an LLC linked to Rouge Fitness. After remediation, the site will be redeveloped as manufacturing and distribution space, according to the application.” Where do we think this is located? It’s gotta be a pretty big space—that’s a lot of housing units, and a nice sized park. ”Franklin County, for a project dubbed WestBend. The information from the state does not make clear where this project is located. According to information from the state, after it is cleaned up, the property will be redeveloped as the WestBend development, a mixed-use project with 750 multifamily units with affordable housing options and a 12-acre public park.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/06/17/kroger-bakery-astor-park-franklin-county-brownfie.html

I wonder, do we think there’s much of a chance now of seeing many new show pieces, with the big push towards WFH? Im hoping Intel establishes some sort of Downtown presence eventually, but I don’t see them building a tower. Would be nice for one of our home growns to build a downtown tower. Branch recently achieved unicorn status, I believe, and it would be nice to see them establish a larger downtown campus as they continue to grow, but I don’t really see a tower coming from them either. I keep hoping for Grant to build a new showpiece tower, akin to the WMC tower, but taller and skinnier, but I’m not sure how well that fits in with OhioHealth’s regional growth plans. I do think COTA needs to go big, iconic, and showpiece-y with their redevelopment of the Greyhound site, since they want this to be their mobility hub. But I’m not exactly holding my breath either. I think our best bets for new showpieces will likely be new residential and hotel towers in the near future.

Directions for Youth and Families starts construction of new Eastland community center “After a two-year delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Columbus-based nonprofit Directions for Youth and Families plan to open a new Eastland community center that city leaders say will increase economic stability for area residents. "This center will be part of the neighborhood revitalization," Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginthertold Columbus Business First. The nonprofit has demolished its old center and is operating out of annex building on Kimberly Parkway. Thursday, the organization broke ground on its new home at 3840 Kimberly Parkway N. Directions for Youth and Families is one of the largest mental and behavioral counseling organizations in Central Ohio; the nonprofit also provides services that aim to increase access to food, medical services, housing stability, workforce development, educational support, after-school programming, kindergarten readiness and mental health services to support families.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/06/16/directions-for-youth-and-families-eastland-nonprof.html

Behr Process Corp. plans Licking County manufactuing and distribution facility “California-based paint company Behr Process Corporation is bringing a new manufacturing and distribution facility to Licking County. The company expects to deliver a 325,000-square-foot building to Heath by the second quarter of next year, a Behr spokesperson said in an email. It will create 90 full-time positions that will generate about $4.4 million in payroll. The company “expects to invest significantly in the building, land, equipment and machinery," the spokesperson said. The project, located at 1201 James Pkwy., received a 1.38%, seven-year tax credit valued at up to $400,000 from the state in March.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/06/16/behr-process-corporation-heath-manufacturing-plant.html

Could be. The article mentions the developer has talked to potential clients, but nothing concrete yet. Would be nice if the city proper sees more benefit from Intel.

Today, an update from the Dispatch on this site. I think this is an appropriate use for this space, especially given the critical need for more industrial space in the region. And it should bring in many more jobs for the area too. Owners of Columbus Castings site plan to build three light-industrial buildings “The owners of the former Columbus Castings site on the South Side plan to invest at least $100 million to build three light-industrial buildings that would bring new life to what for more than a century had been a manufacturing anchor for the neighborhood. Dusten Estes, vice president of Stonemont Financial Group of Atlanta, said Wednesday the company plans on breaking ground within 90 days, contingent on tax breaks from the city of Columbus. He said the company has talked to several potential tenants, though Stonemont has not nailed any down yet. The three buildings — 600,000 square feet, 115,000 square feet and 100,000 square feet — would take about 18 months to construct.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/06/16/columbus-castings-site-owners-may-build-three-industrial-buildings/7529745001/

Looks like the rezoning and variance requests for the Whittier Peninsula project will be voted on next time Council meets in a couple weeks (6/27). Not BD, but the Driving Park/Livingston Ave project will also get a vote at that same meeting.

Yup, this week’s outage has nothing to do with supply; it’s all about delivery.

Looks like it’s still happening? Haven’t been to Easton for a couple months, but CU has an article out today: Amazon Opening “Amazon Style” Clothing Store at Easton Town Center “Not content to being the largest online retailer in the world (outside of China), Amazon is moving into the brick and mortar space with clothing stores called “Amazon Style”. The first of which launched in Los Angeles in May, and the second will be coming soon to Columbus by way of Easton Town Center. Customers at Amazon Style shop using the Amazon Shopping app to scan QR codes on items to send them to a designated fitting room or to a pickup counter for purchase. Touchscreens in fitting rooms allow customers to request different sizes or colors for garments to be retrieved by the store’s staff. “We’re delighted to be part of the Columbus community and offer customers a new and innovative way to shop their favorite looks from Amazon in person,” said Monica Ravi, Director of Operations for Amazon Style. No opening date has been announced as of yet for the Columbus Amazon Style store.” https://columbusunderground.com/amazon-opening-amazon-style-clothing-store-at-easton-town-center-we1/

Dispatch article on the housing construction impact related to the Intel plant. Sounds like much of the rural area may be spared due to a need for utility lines. Licking County housing market: Here's how Intel might change things—or not ‘"The areas that will see initial building will be the incorporated areas east of Intel — Heath, Hebron, Newark," Melchi said. "They have infrastructure already in place and have shown a willingness to work with developers." Wilkos, with United Way, expects Intel to boost housing development to the west, along Rt. 161 and into the Northland neighborhood, which has added far more residents than housing over the past decade. He thinks the Northland area will be especially attractive to construction workers looking for a place to stay convenient to Intel. "I think Northland will be one of the most significant housing markets during the construction of Intel," he said. "You'll see workers from West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky and elsewhere in Ohio. They’ll rent apartments and hotel rooms with a couple of friends and on Fridays they’ll drive the two to three hour home to family."’ https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/06/15/intels-licking-county-ohio-housing-impact-tough-sort-out/9894892002/?itm_source=premium_bundle&itm_medium=onsite

From the article I posted in the BD thread, an update on the E Livingston mixed use dev also from Schiff: “Schiff Capital Group is also working on a $45 million, five-story mixed-use project across the street from Nationwide Children's Hospital. Schiff and Northstar Realty are redeveloping 459 E. Livingston Ave. Both buildings on that site would be demolished to make way for the new building and 179-space parking garage. There will be three or four restaurants in about 19,000 square feet of commercial space. Those plans are being finalized and will be up for city council approval in the next few months, Schiff said. He hopes to have both the Brewery District project and the Livingston Avenue project under construction at the same time.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/06/14/schiff-brewery-district-project.html I know the project went before the South Side Area Commission last month, but I haven’t seen the meeting minutes yet, so I’m not sure what they recommended; however, I would be pretty shocked if City Council doesn’t approve this.

Last night, City Council unanimously approved this project, after the BD recommended approval. German Village-area project from Schiff Capital to break ground this fall “A seven-story mixed-use building proposed by Schiff Capital Group near German Village is set to break ground this fall. The project got final approval from Columbus City Council Monday. The Pierre, as the building will be called, will have 72 units. The shell of the old Copious restaurant will be leased to a new tenant, said Schiff Capital CEO Michael Schiff. The apartments will be a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Some affordable housing has been built into the project, but Schiff wasn't sure how many units would be affordable. He hopes to get residents in the building by spring of 2024.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/06/14/schiff-brewery-district-project.html

🙄 I know this isn’t in City of Columbus, but this type of attitude is emblematic of the same problems with the area commissions and a big part of the reason the region is facing a housing crisis.

^Is that the former church building?

Worthington City Council: High North plan gets boost through grant, TIF deal “After little movement since receiving initial approvals roughly a year ago, Worthington City Council has approved an economic-development grant and tax-increment-financing package to facilitate the eventual start of work on the High North project proposal. Council on June 6 earmarked a $2.5 million grant to help developer Direct Retail Partners with construction of a portion of the High North proposal, which aims to rebrand and redevelop the Shops at Worthington Place mall at 7227 N. High St. into a mixed-use commercial space. Although the rezoning already is in place, McCorkle said, developers are looking to make alterations to sequencing of the project in the coming months. Originally slated to begin work on the north side of the site, developers are opting to begin construction on the south side of the site surrounding the south office building instead, he said.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/worthington/2022/06/10/high-north-project-worthington-ohio-grant-tif-package/10001640002/?itm_medium=recirc&itm_source=taboola&itm_campaign=internal&itm_content=MobileBelowHomepageFeed-FeedRedesign

I think this one is new. An LLC called Oak Street Living wants to construct 51 housing units on an empty lot at 1235 Oak St. It would consist of one detached SFH, one attached SFH and 49 studio and 1BR apartments spread across seven three-story buildings.

Oh good. Looking at the aerial view I posted last night, that sea of parking looks awful. Plenty of opportunity to do more mixed use there.

It’s on the PFP property, but a separate building.

Update on “The Ethan” project: The former Save-A-Lot building is no more.