amped91

Pretty good interview with Mike Kelley about the soon-to-reopen South Wind in Columbus Monthly. Some cool bits of information on the history and renovation of the motel. “What are some of the other design details that you’ve incorporated into the project? We really put a lot of thought and effort into the design details inside the rooms. We wanted each room to have a unique and boutique feel, with high quality and thoughtful finishes. We worked with a local furniture maker to have custom-made real walnut furniture in each unit, including a built-in desk, headboard, side tables and a closet wall. We tried to incorporate details to honor the midcentury roots, while also bringing in some contemporary touches. On the exterior portion of the building facing High Street, we replaced the painted plywood with real cedar wood, to restore the original material and look. We’ve cleaned up all the brick and stonework. All the windows are brand new, but we retained the historic aluminum window frames and just added screens to them, so guests are able to open their windows and get nice fresh air.“ https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/lifestyle/2022/06/01/south-wind-motel-given-new-life-prepares-reopen-next-month/7469192001/?fbclid=IwAR1Fq6SGuq28NkYv-SMjVsYOilfTm6IthkGma1HXoPQ2uvuRvrHZmaIJtzo#l3xr9xrs2j6vptmwsfc In other Brewery District renovation news, Schiff’s redevelopment of the Copious site should go before City Council this month.

Resident planning to convert historic one-room schoolhouse and church into restaurant space “A Westerville man is in the planning stages of converting a former one room schoolhouse and church into a restaurant space. During a May 25 work session of the Westerville Planning Commission, resident Karrick Sherrill–who also operates the architectural firm Columbus Design, LLC–discussed his plans to convert three parcels of land at the corner of Sunbury Road and Central College Road into a mixed-use development. Sherill’s plan would also see two former houses on the three parcels removed, plus the creation of a two-story building for commercial and apartment space, and one additional building that would become townhouses.“ https://614now.com/2022/food-drink/resident-planning-to-convert-historic-one-room-schoolhouse-and-church-into-restaurant-space

Glad to see it’s all leased up too (or, at least, should be, if all commitments go through). Hope that bodes well for the Astor Park office building across the street. This can end up being a pretty lively little corner of the AD, even when the Crew isn’t playing, if done right. Also, kudos to DeHays for his restoration projects. Both this and the Trolley District look great.

Rockbridge's Scioto Peninsula hotel will have a rooftop bar and more “Columbus hospitality developer Rockbridge plans to include a restaurant, coffee shop, rooftop bar and more at its forthcoming hotel in the Scioto Peninsula development. The Junto Hotel, now under construction at 77 Belle St., will open next spring with the Little West Tavern, Maudine's independent coffee shop, the Brass Eye rooftop bar and a poutine walkup window. The hotel is named after Benjamin Franklin's club for mutual improvement, the Junto Club. Since Franklinton and Franklin County are named after Franklin and the hotel is planned to be a place to gather, Rockbridge CEO Jim Merkel told Columbus Business First the name seemed fitting. There will also be a gear garage, similar to one Rockbridge built at a hotel in Denver, where hotel guests can check out bikes or scooters to explore the neighborhood.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/06/02/junto-hotel-scioto-peninsula-franklinton-details.html

Kroger to extend greater Columbus home delivery reach with Lockbourne facility “Cincinnati-based Kroger has opened a delivery facility near Rickenbacker International Airport, extending the grocer's reach for delivery services in the Columbus area. The 61,000-square-foot delivery hub at 6658 Shook Rd. in Lockbourne extends fulfillment to customers up to 200 miles away in more than 250 ZIP codes in Columbus and beyond. The facility can employ up to 200 workers, with 70 associates at the hub currently. The opening of the Lockbourne fulfillment center represents an extension of Kroger's partnership with U.K.-based e-commerce company Ocado and follows the opening of a fulfillment hub in Monroe, Ohio, last year. Amazon similarly opened a fulfillment center in Lockbourne earlier this year. Kroger plans to open a third Ohio fulfillment center in Cleveland, in addition to centers in California, Maryland, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/06/01/kroger-open-delivery-facility-lockbourne/7455194001/

Continental Centre tower in Downtown Columbus could change from offices to residences “The owners of Downtown's empty Continental Centre plan to convert nearly all the building into apartments, becoming Downtown's second office tower to largely switch from offices to residences. If the plan moves forward, the 26-story building at 150 E. Gay St. would include about 330 apartments, making it one of Downtown's largest apartment buildings. Aftuck said Bernstein is finalizing details on the conversion, but that he expects the apartments to be more modestly priced than other new Downtown residences. Afltuck said if Bernstein receives the state historic tax this summer, the company expects to start interior demolition in the building this year.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/06/01/continental-centre-columbus-converted-into-apartments/7455158001/?utm_source=dispatch-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_briefing&utm_term=list_article_thumb&utm_content=NCOD-OHIO-COLUMBUS-NLETTER65

Intel plant manager eager to start work on Ohio's biggest economic development project “The executive tapped by Intel to run the two factoriesthe semiconductor company plans for Licking County is eager to get started on Ohio's largest economic development project. Intel expects to break ground this fall with a goal of producing semiconductors in 2025, but Jim Evers, who has been Intel's plant manager in Arizona for the past 11 years, is hoping to move more swiftly. "I want to go fast. We’re doing everything we can to try to improve that, to speed that up. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done to prepare for that moment. I think we’re making appropriate progress," Evers told The Columbus Dispatch and the Newark Advocate. Intel announced on Thursday that it has picked its first contractors for the project, companies focused on the early stage of excavation work at the site; further announcements are expected in coming months.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/06/01/new-intel-manager-eager-move-ohio-semiconductor-plants/9826611002/?itm_source=premium_bundle&itm_medium=onsite

I would be fine if they just screen it to match the Hilton garage across the street. That is the one thing I found odd about the tower renderings. Everything looks great until you get to the naked garage.

A new Short North shop: CBD-beverage brand W*nder opens Short North shop “The CBD beverage brand has opened its Short North shop at 16 W. Poplar Ave. The 1,150-square-foot space is deceptively spacious, bigger than the two-window, one-door store front might imply, and is aided by hits high ceilings and large skylight, making the shop airy and bright. The store is stocked with W*nder’s core four CBD-infused beverages. The brand recently launched its new line of non-infused beverages called Waterfalls. It also has some outside brands including Happy Soul, a new infused apple juice from Columbus’ Mad Moon Craft Cidery and High Street CBD. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/31/cbd-beverage-brand-w-nder-opens-short-north-shop.html

Article on the artwork that recently popped up: Astor Park murals tie together Crew Stadium and commercial development “As dirt is being moved at the future site of mixed-use development Astor Park, work has begun to beautify the area as well. The Pizzuti Cos. and Haslam Sports Group finished work on the first art installation at Astor Park. Artist Alex Dodge was commissioned to paint murals on two bridges on Nationwide Boulevard. According to a release, Alex Dodge splits his time between Brooklyn and Japan. His work is shown at the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. “We are thrilled to have (Dodge) as our first contributing artist for Astor Park’s art program,” said Joel Pizzuti, president and CEO of The Pizzuti Cos. in the release. “We look forward to sharing our commitment to living with art for years to come in the Astor Park neighborhood.”’ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/31/astor-park-pizutti-art.html

That space was papered up for months. Seems like it opened up to little fanfare, but I noticed when I was driving through last weekend the spot finally opened up. Some place called Dreams on High St. Driving through today, I noticed several more “coming soon” signs on various storefronts. Glad to see a lot of those spots filling up again.

With all of the new development between Gravity and the Peninsula (plus everyone else in East Frank), a grocer would be excellent right there. I would’ve loved having a grocery store to walk to when I lived at Gravity. I wouldn’t be surprised if Phase Two ends up shrinking some, but I’m really hoping they still keep it 15+ feet.

The businesses have shuttered, but the buildings are still there. I can’t remember if the demolition was approved? Also, after thinking about it, it sounds like the bit about providing temporary parking for the NM was just the developer’s attempt to get approval. Demo wouldn’t add a ton of parking, and there’s already plenty in the surrounding area.

Seems like the developers are really ready to get rolling this time. North Market's Merchant Building now available for office leasing with broker selected “NAI Ohio Equities has been selected to oversee leasing for the 65,000 square feet of office in the Merchant Building. The Merchant Building will offer office space with a refined, industrial design and panoramic views of downtown Columbus, according to a press release from NAI. Offices will take up two floors in the building. Both floors of office users will have access to communal spaces and on-site, structured parking. There will be two terraces on the seventh floor. “As we continue to see demand increase and a flight to quality, we anticipate this space will be highly sought after,” Matt Gregory, senior vice president of office brokerage at NAI Ohio Equities, said in the release.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/26/north-market-merchant-building-leasing.html Rockbridge CEO: North Market's Merchant Building will be '700,000-square-foot vertical neighborhood' “The relationship between the North Market and the Merchant Building will be a symbiotic one, Merkel said, in which both entities will be able to feed off of the success of the other. The nearly $292 million project will also add about 65,000 square feet of new, Class A office space to the Arena District and Short North area. Public spaces will include the Trade Room and Bar, a courtyard, curated retail spaces, a cafe, a restaurant and a barber shop. Merkel said there will be a social club, dubbed the Merchant Club, that will have wellness space, restaurant space, event and programming space and coworking space. The Merchant Club is modeled off the Soho House chain of social clubs. The Merchant Club will be a membership-based club for those interested in wellness, as well as the arts and culture and the programming that would be offered at the club.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/26/jim-merkel-north-market-merchant-building.html

Downtown apartment building combines century-old details with modern design “Work is wrapping up on a new Downtown apartment building with old roots — and a hidden feature. Discovery Park Place apartments is about to open at 530 E. Rich St., with 29 apartments in a new building that sits behind two older homes that have been renovated into four additional apartments. Schiff removed the addition and replaced it with a five-story building that includes 29 apartments along with covered parking, a fitness center and an unusual element: an interior courtyard overlooked by three levels of apartments and exterior "hallways" that provide access to the apartments. "It has a European, New Orleans feel to it," said Todd Schiff.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/05/26/discovery-park-place-apartments-combine-old-homes-new-building/9913159002/

^Probably both.

Little bit more info from the Dispatch: “The North Market expects to add 10 to 12 vendors with the expansion. At 31 stories, the Merchant Building will be the tallest building erected in Columbus since 1990, edging out the 28-story Hilton hotel being built a few blocks south. Rockbridge said city infrastructure work is expected to begin on the site this summer, allowing construction on the project to start late this year in anticipation of a 2025 completion.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/05/26/north-market-project-go-merchant-building/9939417002/ That must be what the equipment and trailer I mentioned before are for.

Intel picks first 4 construction firms to begin work on Ohio plant complex “Intel Corp. has selected the companies that will bring the first of an estimated 7,000 construction jobs to New Albany to work on its $20 billion New Albany semiconductor manufacturing complex. The tech giant confirmed that Columbus-based McDaniel’s Construction, Cleveland's Northstar Contracting and Columbus' GTSA Construction Consulting will work with Rhode Island's Gilbane Building Co. on the early excavation work for the first two chip factories on the Intel campus. Gilbane will manage the team’s work to prepare the site for the construction of the fabs, Intel said, with the Ohio companies providing staffing and consulting services. Construction on the Ohio fabs is expected to start this year, and chip production is expected to come online in 2025, according to the release. The timeline of when the excavation will begin remains unclear. The tech giant expects to announce additional subcontractors in the coming weeks, according to the release.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/26/intel-picks-gilbane-to-lead-work-at-ohio-site.html

Love the signage. The interior design of the building looks great too! I noticed a construction trailer parked on the North Market parking lot when I was there last week, but I don’t know if it has to do with the tower.

I will admit, I like the skywalks since they look “cool” to me. I feel like they give a big city kind of feel—like, “hey, we’re so big we need extra bridges just for pedestrians.” But I totally get the street-level argument too, especially now that there are so many fewer workers downtown. So I completely sympathize with the commissioner’s desire for these skywalks to be rare and not popping up with every new downtown development.

That’s sorta what I was thinking. Either that, or another production/warehouse facility. Wish they would get started on the apartments too.

Posting this in here, since it deals with the whole metro: “In addition to this project, Stonemont is pursuing four others in the area, according to the release. Wheeler said these four potential projects are all industrial. One of them is just east of downtown Columbus and the others are being set for areas to the east of the city to avoid competition with the West Jefferson facility. The firm is committed to the Columbus area because of its proximity to a large portion of the country's population, Wheeler said. “Columbus will become a top focus for us over the next few years, and we look forward to extending our footprint even further throughout the market as Central Ohio’s economic and industrial growth story continues to play out,” Markwell said in the release.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/25/atlanta-stonemont-west-jefferson-industrial.html

Basically he doesn’t want this to signal they will approve similar proposals in the future. This is a “one and done” that was approved since the skywalk was already there.

Downtown Comish gave it conditional approval: Downtown Commission approves elevated walkway with plants, benches “The Columbus Downtown Commission on Tuesday approved the plan after commissioners expressed concerns over security on the walkway and lighting underneath. Commission members conditioned the approval on the Edwards Companies presenting a more detailed security, signage and access plan for the walkway. The current walkway's cover would be removed, and the platform covered in plants and furniture to create "an elevated downtown park," said Karen McCoy, the project designer with the landscape design firm MKSK. McCoy and others representing the Edwards Companies said the company is working with potential restaurant tenants in the PNC and Galleria buildings. The Galleria restaurant would use the new plaza under the walkway for outdoor seating.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/05/20/downtown-elevated-walk-would-park-like-path-under-proposal/9835453002/?itm_source=premium_bundle&itm_medium=onsite

That is how I read it, anyway—that they “need” it. Either way, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they break ground on something by year’s end, just to keep the momentum rolling, even if they hit “pause” on the 34-story tower until they hear back on the TMUD round two credits.