amped91

New Phases of Two Franklinton Developments Approved by Board “Before weighing in on several new proposals at last week’s meeting, the East Franklinton Review Board voted to approve the latest additions to two significant development projects in the neighborhood. The third phase of the Gravity development – which was first unveiled last fall under the name Greenhouse – was approved unanimously by the board. The approval was conditioned on the applicant coming back for further review of lighting, landscaping, and materials, as well as a requested change to the design of the project’s parking garage. The second phase of Casto’s River & Richdevelopment was also approved unanimously, and the approval also came with several conditions; the applicant will need to make changes to the design of an elevated walkway, and will need to return for final approval of lighting and signage plans.” https://columbusunderground.com/new-phases-of-two-franklinton-developments-approved-by-board-bw1/

Columbus Blue Jackets gift $250k for construction of outdoor hockey rink in Whitehall “An outdoor street hockey rink is coming soon to the city of Whitehall. The Columbus Blue Jackets is awarding Whitehall, Ohio with a $250,000 grant to construct a community street hockey rink, the team said in a news release Thursday. Construction will begin in early summer, and the rink is expected to be completed by fall. The grant will also be used toward developing sports programming, like Try Hockey for Free clinics, staff training and equipment in Whitehall, according to the release. Through the partnership, the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation said it will work with the city to offer free education resources to address STEM learning and academic achievement.” https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/whitehall/columbus-blue-jackets-gift-250k-for-construction-of-outdoor-hockey-rink-in-whitehall/?fbclid=IwAR28vXdbJJayHkTDxze2dTRgAwLbMCMBRMLjCRxpbSW-sG5ova_rTOh80NQ

Metro Development adding 48 apartment units near Grove City “Metro Development will add to Alkire Woods next to Brookfield Village, an apartment complex the developer created a few years ago. The 48 units will go in three additional apartment buildings. The existing apartments are next to single-family homes it put up in the early 2000s, said Tre' Giller, president and CEO of Metro Development. Giller said he hopes to break ground on Alkire Woods in the fall and wrap up in the spring of 2023. Metro owns the vacant site. Columbus City Council passed rezoning and variances for Alkire Woods this week.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/06/alkire-woods-metro-development.html

Progress pic from Thrive:

‘“It would be nice if we quit apologizing that we don’t have mountains, or that we don’t have oceans, or we don’t have a lake, because regretting it isn’t going to create it,” said Keith Myers, who has worked with the Columbus chapter of the Urban Land Institute to advance the RAPID 5 concept from its inception. “What we do have is these five amazing streams and, if we could embrace them, we could create something that would be envy of almost any city of the country.”’ I really liked that quote from the article. If we really want to be respected, class A City and region, it’s not going to continue to suffice to say, “we don’t have any of those things, but at least we’re more affordable than LA and NYC.” The region will actually need to put in the work to create these things that make us special and a desirable place to live.

A rundown of new retail and restaurant offerings coming to the Route 23 corridor in Lewis Center/Orange area. Among them, another BJ’s is apparently coming to Central Ohio. I don’t remember seeing that announced before. Orange Township: Popeyes planned at former Wendy's/Tim Hortons location “Among recent redevelopment agreements in the township is a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen location to be built on the site of the former Wendy’s/Tim Hortons on Owenfield Drive, next to the new Tim Hortons site near Meijer. Township officials fielded questions from residents during the zoning process for a new BJ’s Wholesale Club location just north of the NorthPointe Plaza on the east side of U.S. Route 23. Trustees approved the plan, which includes three smaller outparcel commercial buildings, on April 20. Among those are several restaurants: Pulp Juice And Smoothie Bar and CJ's Soul Food in the Oak Creek Center on Polaris Parkway; Bibibop Asian Grill in The Shoppes at Olentangy Crossing on the west side of Route 23; and El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant & Bar in the former Iguana’s location near Meijer. Non-restaurant redevelopment plans include Camp Run-A-Mutt on Green Meadows Drive; Nova Lands in a vacant space north of Ohio Mulch; Foam Warriorz on Graphics Way in part of the former Lifepoint Church location; and Urban Baggerie and Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy in the Oak Creek Center. Additionally, a Third Federal Savings & Loan has been approved for Owenfield Drive in Hidden Ravines, and Duffee confirmed an application has been filed for a proposed Bank of America location at the site of the former Burger King adjacent to NorthPointe Plaza.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/olentangy-valley/2022/05/04/orange-township-popeyes-former-wendys-tim-hortons-location-lewis-center/9654214002/?itm_medium=recirc&itm_source=taboola&itm_campaign=internal&itm_content=MobileSectionFrontFeed-FeedRedesign

I believe this is the correct thread for this announcement: “Several of Central Ohio's largest employers are backing a technological workforce development program that starts with Daisies and Brownies. Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland has launched a $16 million fundraising campaign to build a hands-on educational center, makerspace and commercial kitchen for scouts to learn technical, leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The Ohio's Heartland council, encompassing troops in 30 Central and Southeast Ohio counties, has raised $9.5 million so far in the campaign's four-year quiet phase, with a lead $3 million donation from Columbus research giant Battelle. Other top sponsors are the foundations of American Electric Power, Nationwide, and the Kokosing group of companies. The centerpiece is construction of the STEM Leadership Center & Maker Space, part of the larger Girl Scouts of USA goal to inspire 2.5 million scouts to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Central Ohio in particular needs to expand that workforce with the entry of Intel Corp. and a growing technology and biotech sector.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/03/girl-scouts-columbus-maker-space-fundraising.html

I could see an NBA team working in Louisville too. I really do think that, if Cbus ever gets a team in one of the “Big Three” leagues, it would be an NBA team. Unless, of course, one of the other C’s teams were to move here, which I don’t see happening any time soon.

A little bit of good news for Downtown: Downtown's comeback: Historic building on Capitol Square to get new tenant “Fechtor, a Columbus-based advertising company, is moving to the Hayden building. The firm’s new owners, Michelle Snook and Dave Rogers, will move Fechtor from its current office at 14 E. Gay Street to the Hayden building at 16 E. Broad Street. Tomko said Fechtor's move brings the building occupancy to more than 50%. There are other office suites under construction now that when filled, will bring the building to about 75% occupancy.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/05/capitol-square-building-to-get-new-tenant.html

Interesting. I could see an NBA team eventually working here. Make it part of the AD and put it in the triangle.

A couple renos and a couple new branches planned: Columbus Metropolitan Library names next branches slated for renovations “The library board last week signed off on architects for the following projects: -Barnett branch renovation and expansion, to be designed by Schooley Caldwell and Evoke Studio. -Linden branch renovation and expansion, to be designed by Moody Nolan. -New Canal Winchester branch at a new site, to be designed by Bostwick Partnership. -New Marion-Franklin Branch at a new site, to be designed by Schooley Caldwell and Evoke Studio The four branches were identified due to the age of the existing buildings or the growing needs of the communities they serve, according to a release. Site selection is still in progress for the Canal Winchester branch. A parcel of land at the corner of Lockbourne and Evergreen roads has been donated to the library for the new Marion-Franklin branch.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/05/04/columbus-metropolitan-library-branches-upgrades.html

The latest movement was about a month ago, when the Senate passed their version. House has passed their own version, so now those two bills need to be reconciled before Biden can sign it. “The U.S. Senate on Monday again approved a bill to provide $52 billion in U.S. subsidies for semiconductor chips manufacturing in a bid to reach a compromise after months of discussions. The 68-28 procedural vote sends the legislation back to the House of Representatives in a cumbersome process to ultimately launch a formal process known as a "conference" where lawmakers from both chambers will seek agreement on a compromise version.” https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-approves-52-bln-chips-bill-bid-reach-compromise-2022-03-28/ Biden’s commerce secretary urged its passage just a few days ago: “Congressional foot-dragging on federal aid to the semiconductor business is putting thousands of jobs at risk in Ohio and could end up limiting Intel's investment in the state, a Biden administration official said Tuesday. "The stakes are very high for Ohio. Ohio will stand to lose a great deal if the bill doesn’t pass or if takes Congress too long to pass," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Ohio reporters on a conference call. "The reality is that Intel and other companies are making their decision around where to expand now and if Congress takes until the end of the year to pass this, Ohio will face a very real risk of losing jobs and losing investment," she said. "Every week that goes by without this bill passing, the risk that companies like intel and other semiconductor companies go to other countries is higher,’’ Raimondo said.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/05/03/commerce-secretary-urges-congress-pass-semiconductor-aid-now/9628551002/

Tim Ryan already framing Vance as the coastal, CNN-commentating elite in his new ad.

Would Renacci/Blystone voters back Whaley? I don’t think that would happen. But, there’s still a lot of apprehension towards Vance in MAGA Land, so I could see some of them deciding to sit this one out. Will it be enough to make a significant impact for Whaley? I really don’t know. Really, I’m just trying to look at it in a positive light. Over the last ~decade, I’ve lost most hope for this state.

Interesting that Dewine couldn’t even clear a majority, despite name recognition and running against a group of jokes. Had his opponents been smart and consolidated the anti-Dewine vote, Dewine could’ve been defeated. Wonder if this could end up being good news for Whaley in November? Could Renacci or Blystone be convinced to run third party/independent? 😈

Hope this actually happens. The building looks rough right now, but could be beautiful again with a little love. Plus, I love the mixture of old and new along Long Street. Franklin County land bank to restore historic Edna building in King-Lincoln-Bronzeville “Franklin County's designated land bank plans to move its offices to a historic building in the King-Lincoln-Bronzeville neighborhood that holds a special place in the city's Black community. The land bank — the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation — plans to restore and move into The Edna, a three-story building located at 877-879 E. Long St. in an area that has seen much redevelopment in recent years. The work is to be completed by spring 2023. Other planned tenants in the renovated building will be the Economic Community Development Institute (ECDI), a microlender, and the Columbus Rising Project, an effort to provide more digital access to underserved communities.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/05/04/franklin-county-land-bank-restoring-historic-edna-building-offices/9569196002/?utm_source=dispatch-Daily Briefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_briefing&utm_term=list_article_headline&utm_content=OHIO-COLUMBUS-NLETTER65

Especially near those long stretches of parking lots and row rise buildings near the college campuses on Spring and near the Warehouse District on 4th. Add in a few new parks and increase tree cover. Definitely need more greenery in those areas.

Also from the CU article: “Also set to be reviewed by the board at the meeting are two new additions to the Jeffrey Park development: The overall design and landscaping of the park that has long been planned for the center of the development, at the southeast corner of North Sixth and Cornelius Streets. Renderings of the 1.6-acre park, to be called Jeffrey Square, show space for two new public art installations. The latest plans for an office building that will be located south of the park, next to a parking garage and apartment building that were approved by the commission last year. The garage is currently under construction.” https://columbusunderground.com/new-apartments-proposed-for-italian-village-bw1/

Lykens is keeping busy! Does anyone remember if their proposal for the beer barn site has been approved yet? New Apartments, Offices Proposed for Italian Village “A new proposal from the Lykens Companies would bring more apartments to the northeast corner of Italian Village. The proposal calls for two three-story buildings – one at the corner of North Sixth Street and Detroit Avenue, the other facing East Fourth Avenue. A rear parking lot would serve both buildings, as well as the former church next door that the same developer converted into housing after a fire damaged the building in 2015.” https://columbusunderground.com/new-apartments-proposed-for-italian-village-bw1/

Yes, I love it!

That’s what ended up causing me to change my mind and request a Dem ballot. The more Cranley talked, the more I wanted to make sure to get a vote in for Whaley.

I went to the Crew game too, and was stunned by the amount of people Downtown. There was also a lot of people in town for the Half Marathon as well. I didn’t know about the cheer competition. I was glad to see, on my way home from the game, a lot of activity had spilled into the rest of Downtown.

Ohhhh, is this one of the projects that applied for TMUD funding? I was trying to remember what the Galaxy was.

I was there! I thought they did an excellent job restoring/rebuilding. And the Railhouse bar has some wonderful cocktails too.

Kinda surprised it will be that early, tbh. Here’s when the Hilton Columbus Downtown’s new tower will officially open “After three years of construction, the opening of the brand-new, $255 million tower addition to the Hilton Columbus Downtown is finally around the corner. The addition, along with the renovation to the existing Hilton tower, will be “substantially completed” by Aug. 26. “It’s tight, it’s very tight, but we still believe that the project will be … open in late August,” said Don Brown, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the hotel’s owner. Everything will be delivered by that date except the rooftop bar and restaurant, Brown said this week.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/04/29/hilton-construction-update-april.html