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Push by federal government to recruit more women construction workers at Intel site "U.S. Department of Commerce officials gathered in Columbus on Tuesday with leaders from Intel, unions and the construction industry as part of a push to boost the number of women in the region's booming construction business. The newly launched CHIPS Women in Construction Framework comes as work ramps up on Intel's $28-billion project in New Albany that has about 1,800 workers onsite now with another 1,000 coming on board by the end of the year, according to a union official. The Biden administration estimates that the CHIPS Act and the effort to provide high-speed internet access to every American will create 200,000 construction jobs, and says that there aren't enough tradespeople to meet the demand. Women currently make up less than 10% of the construction trades." Full story found here: https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/manufacturing/2024/06/05/intel-site-commerce-department-leaders-host-chips-meeting-in-columbus-push-for-more-women/73977736007/

Draft Plan for Improved Bike Network Unveiled "The City of Columbus has posted an interactive map online of a proposed “draft vision network,” featuring lots of new bike lanes, shared use paths, bike boulevards and trails. The city’s Department of Public Service, along with consultants from Toole Design, have spent the last year working on the citywide bike plan and gathering feedback about which streets and neighborhoods are most in need of improved infrastructure. Called Bike Plus, the final plan will lay out the preferred network of new lanes and paths while also prioritizing the improvements that could have the biggest impact and that can be made within the next five years. The next step in the process is to gather feedback on the map that was posted online today. The public will have through the end of June to give their opinion on the plan. The final Bike Plus plan is still on track to be completed later this year, according to the city, at which time it will be taken to City Council for approval." https://columbusunderground.com/feedback-sought-on-draft-plan-for-improved-bike-network-bw1/

Cameron Mitchell to open new seafood restaurant in Easton on June 11 "The Columbus restaurant guru flipped his company's usual script for the opening of Del Mar, a Mediterranean-style seafood restaurant at Easton Town Center. Mitchell's 101st restaurant comes here by way of Naples, Florida, where it debuted in December of 2021. Del Mar is the second southern seafood restaurant to expand into Columbus this spring. In April, Hank's Low Country Seafood & Raw Bar opened its first location outside Charleston, South Carolina, at High and Gay streets in Downtown. The two restaurants take different directions with their menus, but both start with fresh fish and shellfish that shine no matter how they're prepared. At Del Mar, those preparations include influences that span the Mediterranean, from Spain to the Middle East. "We literally had this map on the kitchen table. We wanted to make sure we hit this swath of everything around the Mediterranean," Rough said. "We didn’t want just a Spanish restaurant. We didn’t want just an Italian restaurant. We didn’t want just a Greek restaurant. We peppered in all these little flavors, spices, cooking techniques, ingredients." https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/dining/2024/06/01/del-mar-mediterranean-seafood-restaurant-is-set-to-open-june-11-in-columbus-at-easton-town-center/73876819007/

Northeast Side factory could change housing "In a long-vacant cinder-block warehouse on the Northeast Side, a local company is seeking to revolutionize Columbus housing. There, in the former Value City warehouse and Schottenstein’s store, more than 120 workers are busy building “Connect Housing Blocks,” 14-foot-wide housing units that can be combined to form apartment buildings. Company founder Brad DeHays describes the factory, at 630,000 square feet, as the largest modular apartment factory in the country. After more than a year setting up the factory and getting machinery, the blocks started rolling off the line last summer and production kicked more fully into gear in October. In late June, Connect will start trucking the blocks through town, one at a time, for their real-world debut. Nearly 200 of the blocks will be stacked, Legolike, to form the four-story Trolley Apartments on the corner of Kelton Avenue and Oak Street, across from the Trolley District, which DeHays developed. More below: https://www.dispatch.com/

Rendering today in CBF https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/05/31/nationwide-childrens-2023-audit.html

"Reynoldsburg City Council approved the final plat for phases 6A & 6B of the M/I Homes’ Spring Hill subdivision off Waggoner Road. A total of 354 homes are planned for the development, with 138 already either sold or constructed." https://www.dispatch.com/

ODW Logistics adds 930,000-square-foot distribution center to its growing campus near Rickenbacker "ODW Logistics will soon open a second distribution center at its new campus near Rickenbacker International Airport. The third-party logistics provider – already one of the region's largest private companies and employers – will add a 930,000-square-foot facility to its local footprint. Located at 6920 Schieser Farms Rd. East in Lockbourne, the distribution center is set to open in mid-June. It will employ 75 to 100 people. This marks the second building on ODW's growing distribution campus. With the new facility, the company will have 5 million square feet of warehouse space in Central Ohio. Nationally, ODW has 32 facilities and 9 million square feet of space. In the fall, Ness told Columbus Business First that they were already planning a second distribution center on the Lockbourne campus when the company announced its first project. That 540,000-square-foot facility, located at 1533 Rohr Road, recently became operational." https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/05/28/odw-logistics-distribution-center-columbus-ohio.html

BrewDog opens first U.S. airport bar in John Glenn Columbus International Airport "Columbus flyers now have a new place to sip brews at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Scotland-based brewery BrewDog opened its first airport bar in the U.S. at John Glenn last week, opening the taps for the company's popular IPAs like "Elvis Juice". Along with "Elvis Juice", visitors to the 16-seat counter bar near gate B20 can also get the Hazy Jane and Punk IPAs, beers like the Kona Big Wave Golden Ale and non-alcoholic brews. The new spot also serves food, including a giant soft pretzel, buffalo chicken bites and a "classic" cheeseburger, according to a press release from BrewDog. Columbus is the home of BrewDog's U.S. headquarters and its first breweries. The city also harbors BrewDog's "DogHouse" hotel, the first hotel in a craft brewery in the world." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/05/28/brewdog-opens-first-u-s-airport-bar-in-john-glenn-airport/73877265007/

Another superload will be on area roadways this weekend: LOAD 11 TO NEW ALBANY Cargo: Tank — LOX Height: 19’11” Width: 17’6” Length: 197’ Weight: 435,420 pounds • Thursday, May 30: Load 11 moves from the dock to Ross County Fairgrounds • Friday, May 31: Load 11 travels from Ross County Fairgrounds to Rickenbacker • Saturday, June 1: Load 11 travels from Rickenbacker to New Albany for delivery https://siliconheartland.newalbanyohio.org/2024/04/10/upcoming-superload-deliveries/

Worthington housing study suggests demand for 2000 more residences "A study of Worthington's housing suggests there is demand for 2,000 more residences and prescribes adding smaller, closer together and more affordable options in strategic areas. Worthington, a landlocked suburb surrounded by Columbus, currently has nearly 15,000 residents and about 6,150 housing units. Its 5 ½ square miles are already mostly developed. Strategies to diversify housing that Camoin suggests in the report include allowing duplexes, accessory dwelling units, mixed-use development, rowhomes along the boundaries between commercial districts and neighborhoods, patio houses and village-style development with smaller homes on smaller lots. The report also suggests strategies to support existing apartment buildings to maintain affordable housing that's already in the suburb. O'Brien also cautioned in his presentation against allowing citizens with strong opinions to have a disproportionate say in opposing a development, saying it's a problem every community in America faces. Camoin suggests in its report setting clear protocols for project approval to avoid uncertainty for developers that could keep them away from Worthington." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/05/27/worthington-housing-study-2000-units-needed-affordable-housing-apartments-duplexes-rowhomes/73733397007/

Drone pic in today's Dispatch (date unknown):

New mental health hospital unveiled in the Hilltop "The Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital opened Wednesday, May 22 at 2200 W Broad St. The ribbon-cutting of the Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital on Columbus' West Side comes amid both a growing need for mental health care and a harrowing mental health workforce shortage at state and national levels. The new hospital on West Broad Street will replace the Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare Kosar building next door as the region's state mental health hospital. That building will be torn down and replaced with green space. Its successor will contain 208 beds, 30 more than the Twin Valley building, and stands at 270,000 square feet, nearly 100,000 more square feet than its predecessor. Staff and patients will begin moving into the facility in June. It's expected to serve 990 patients per year from central Ohio counties." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/healthcare/2024/05/23/hilltop-mental-health-hospital-care-demand-columbus-ohio-healthcare/73804689007/

From Aaron Drive to Zumstein Drive, the City of Columbus currently has 10,947 city streets- Columbus man becomes first to run them all "Over the course of an almost three-year project, Owsley, 53, covered more than 7,392 miles, amounting to 10,947 city streets. His accomplishment was tracked meticulously through the City Strides project — a global initiative that challenges runners to cover every street in their cities. Owsley's journey through every corner of Columbus started in a rather unassuming manner. He initially joined a run club and through social connections, learned about City Strides. The site not only tracks each street a runner covers but also fosters a community of runners who share similar goals. "It started with my own neighborhood near Grandview Heights, and just expanded from there," he explained. "Eventually, I thought, why not try running all of Columbus?" Doug, who had participated in multiple 100-mile ultramarathons, wanted a new kind of running adventure that allowed for daily flexibility and proximity to home. The physical rigor was matched by logistical challenges, as he carefully planned each route to maximize safety and efficiency, turning what began as a personal fitness goal into a deeper exploration of the Columbus metro makeup. Despite these hurdles, Owsley found the experience deeply rewarding, offering him an intimate view of the city's diverse communities and hidden landscapes. Now, with every street in Columbus behind him, he is considering his next challenge, possibly aiming to run every street in neighboring suburbs like Bexley and Westerville." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/05/22/columbus-runner-doug-owsley-ran-every-city-street-over-three-years/73770201007/ Doug Owsley's City Strides Map, highlighted in purple, showcases the entirety of Columbus, marking the completion of his ambitious project to run every street in the city.

FUN FOUNTAIN FACTS AND UPDATES The enhanced Scioto Mile Fountain spans 15,000 square feet and holds 35,000 gallons of water in an underground reservoir. Opening on Memorial Day weekend, it’s a debut you won’t want to miss! The interactive fountain will remain open throughout the summer and the upgrades are impressive! Here are a few fun facts about the fountain renovations: • The masterminds behind the reconstructed fountains, a California-based design firm WET, also designed the fountains in front of the Bellagio and the dancing fire and water fountain in Dubai. No two fountains they create are alike. • The new fountains are interactive, using Weplay technology to personalize your experience. Lights, music, and water engage and interact with visitors. • The water jets have LED lights that will flow with the trajectory of the water, and separate fog canisters that flow with lights. • There are twelve 10-foot speakers that are synced with music and lights and create a sophisticated surround sound atmosphere. • There are 344 fountain sprites lit by self-contained LED lights. • There are three stainless steel halo structures that have 300 fog nozzles. High powered fans underneath the largest one have the capacity to create a vortex-like reaction. • The blossom fountain has 90 tubes, and its super shooter can catapult water 120 feet. • You can also enjoy the fountains after summer is over. Sculptural light elements will allow for vibrant, constantly changing colors with dynamic light shows in the cold-weather season.

Hocking Hills area hosting new cannabis festival, set on 80-acres property Multiple days of live music, a cannabis farmers market and 80 scenic acres to explore near the Hocking Hills. The recreational legalization of Cannabis has already brought a great deal to the Buckeye State, and now, a unique new music festival is coming too. The first-annual Stargazer Cannabis Music Festival will be held July 26-28 in Pomeroy, Ohio. Billed as a “celebration of cannabis near picturesque Hocking Hills, Ohio on 80 acres of breathtaking natural beauty,” the new event will merge cannabis culture and a complete farmers market dedicated to growing and purchasing cannabis products. -614now

New Albany officials seek input on growth U.S 62/State Route 161 area targeted in plans "The city of New Albany wants to know what residents, business owners and community leaders think when it comes to developing one of the city’s areas targeted for growth: A 573-acre chunk of land around the intersection of U.S. 62 and state Route 161. The city has created a 21-member steering committee to lead a planning process for what is called the 62 Interchange Focus Area Plan. The plan is meant to become a guide as the area develops. The area is a mix of residential, business and undeveloped land that is directly north of state Route 161. The northern boundary runs along Central College Road. and the eastern boundary is Blacklick Creek. On the west, the boundary flanks residential parcels next to undeveloped areas of land. The planning effort started in February with a goal of finishing by the end of the year." https://www.dispatch.com/

Jennings Sports Park aims to transform Delaware County athletics with state-of-the-art complex "Delaware County is set to become home to a new multisport complex officials hope will become a cornerstone of youth sports in central Ohio. Jennings Sports Park, scheduled to open in the fall at Shanahan and Piatt roads, is under construction after the Delaware County Finance Authority approved a $6.7 million bond package last week. The 57-acre complex, adjacent to Evans Farm, will include six artificial turf fields, adaptable for various sports including baseball, football, lacrosse and soccer. It will also feature a central pavilion with concession stands and restrooms, advanced lighting, video scoreboards and cutting-edge technology like automated line-marking robots and high-definition cameras for livestreaming events. "Tournaments and regional events that will be held there will draw in thousands from outside the central Ohio area," Dorsey said. Construction at Jennings Park is progressing smoothly, with the project currently about 70% complete. The park is on schedule to open its gates to the public by late fall." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/05/18/jennings-sports-park-set-to-transform-delaware-county-athletics/73699589007/

Canopy Walk at Blacklick Woods Metro Park now open A 55-foot treetop canopy overlooking greenery and wildlife is now open in Reynoldsburg. “The Canopy Walk” at Blacklick Woods Metro Park, located at 6975 E. Livingston Ave. opened to the public yesterday.

Aiming to lead the way on AI Intel CEO discusses big plans for Ohio facilities "Intel’s $28billion project in Central Ohio will one day produce the semiconductors that will be the driving force behind artificial intelligence. Gelsinger said the AI push is going to be as transformative to personal computers, cellphones and other devices as the introduction of the internet was 30 years ago. “It’s going be a stunning period,” Gelsinger said. “I think we’re in a super cycle of technology innovation largely driven by AI and chips for the next 20 years.” While in Columbus, Gelsinger said he visited the construction site that has grown to now have about 1,700 construction workers. He said he expects that number to ramp up through the year and that the company needs more workers to keep the project on track. Intel will need construction workers for years to come, Gelsinger said, repeating previous comments that Intel intends to add more factories at the site in the future and that the site could ultimately become a $100 billion investment for the Silicon Valley company. “I expect construction workers who come here to finish their career here,” he said. “When we finish the first two modules, we want to start the third, then the fourth and then the fifth. We just want to continue to build out the location over time.” https://www.dispatch.com/

Land-Grant Extension opens today at Gravity Park LAND-GRANT EXTENSION 458 CHAPEL ALLEY COLUMBUS, OH 43215 https://landgrantbrewing.com/extension/

Upper Arlington is re-envisioning 'outdated' Henderson Road, its border with Columbus "Outdated," "hectic," "old," "dangerous" and "janky." That's some of what Upper Arlington residents said when asked at a virtual meeting last month about their impression of the West Henderson Road corridor. The wide road forms the northern border between Upper Arlington and the city of Columbus and is marked by underperforming retail and large parking lots. While Upper Arlington only owns the southern half of the road, city officials say Henderson is the last major business district within Upper Arlington with potential for significant change. That's why Upper Arlington has launched Envision Henderson to plan what comes next and encourage development based on feedback from residents of both Upper Arlington and Columbus, according to Upper Arlington City Manager Steve Schoeny. Schoeny said they hope to have something to show residents by early July. The city hopes to implement a plan by the end of this year, Schoeny said. The area is particularly ripe for opportunities, Schoeny said, because if voters approve funding in November, the Central Ohio Transit Authority's LinkUS project could bring a bus rapid transit line less than a mile away to Bethel Road. Plus, the city of Columbus is proposing as part of its Zone-In plan to rezone much of its side of West Henderson to allow the possibility for taller development, that could include housing." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/05/17/upper-arlington-henderson-road-border-columbus-development/73685859007/

Intel’s Ohio site will become 'AI systems hub for America,’ CEO Pat Gelsinger tells Columbus audience "Intel Corp. CEO Pat Gelsinger predicted the company’s Ohio complex would become “the AI systems hub for America” during an appearance in Columbus on Tuesday, with the “gravitational pull” of the fabs leading to expansions by suppliers. Gelsinger got a first-hand look at the company’s developing Ohio One campus in New Albany before attending the Ohio Business Roundtable’s annual Ohio CEO Summit. Gelsinger said he was pleased with progress on the $28 billion project, but made the first of several pleas for Ohio to step up its workforce development efforts. As the plants get closer to reality, he said, that will lead to follow-on development from the entire spectrum of suppliers to the industry. “The Chips Act was really about the fabs. That's sort of the heart,” he said. “If you get the fabs moved, it's sort of a gravitational pull for everything else. … It's a magnet for so many other industries and opportunities to rise up around it.” Gelsinger also discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on the semiconductor industry, with Gelsinger predicting the technology will be “as transformative as the Internet.” “It will change everything,” he said. “... And it’s going to need a whole lot of chips.” Those advanced chips, Gelsinger said, will come out of Ohio. “I want our Columbus site here, Ohio One, to be the AI systems fab for the nation,” he said. "There's just so much opportunity for these AI systems," he said. "It's going to drive the most leading-edge chips, just like we’re going to make here.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/05/15/intel-ohio-ai-ceo-technology-systems-fab.html

The sixth superload (10th overall) headed to Intel will be on area roadways this weekend. No movement is scheduled for Saturday because of the Komen Race for the Cure. LOAD 10 TO NEW ALBANY Cargo: Tank — LOX Height: 19’2” Width: 16’3” Length: 197’ Weight: 436,410 pounds • Thursday, May 16: Load 10 moves from the dock to Ross County Fairgrounds • Friday, May 17: Load 10 travels from Ross County Fairgrounds to Rickenbacker • Saturday, May 18: Load 10 remains at Rickenbacker because of the Komen Race for the Cure • Sunday, May 19: Load 10 travels from Rickenbacker to New Albany for delivery https://siliconheartland.newalbanyohio.org/2024/04/10/upcoming-superload-deliveries/

Fairgrounds Team Breaks Ground on Multiple Projects "On Monday, representatives from the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds broke ground on two buildings to revitalize the fairgrounds in Columbus, the Ohio Showcase Building and the new agriculture building. Once constructed, the Ohio Showcase Building will house a food hall and exhibit space to tell the story of Ohio’s people, land, communities, and innovation. The food hall will house six restaurants/vendors that will offer unique regional dishes from throughout Ohio, with ample indoor and outdoor dining space. This building is slated for completion in 2026. The new agriculture building will house the Taste of Ohio Café, with meals served by Ohio’s agricultural commodity groups. The building will also house the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s Land & Living Exhibit as well as other agricultural exhibits. The exhibit hall will feature more than 100,000 square feet of space for a variety of events. With funding support from the Ohio General Assembly, other Expo 2050 master plan projects currently underway include: A large new entry gate, a new town square and various infrastructure projects. To make way for construction, several other sites on the grounds have already been demolished including the Ohio Building, which previously housed the Taste of Ohio Café." https://governor.ohio.gov/media/news-and-media/governor-dewine-and-fairgrounds-team-break-ground-on-expo-2050-projects

Columbus health systems invest billions to keep up with central Ohio growth "Columbus has been dubbed one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., and its hospital systems are keeping pace. All four of Columbus' hospital systems have major developments underway, whether it is adding more patient beds to existing facilities or building skyscraper-sized hospitals in the capital city and surrounding suburbs. Officials for OhioHealth, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Mount Carmel Health System and Nationwide Children's Hospital all cited the Columbus area's ever-increasing population and their health needs as factors in their completed and ongoing projects." A closer look at all the ongoing projects can be found here: https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2024/05/12/columbus-health-systems-invest-billions-as-citys-population-grows/73543185007/