Luvcbus

Microsoft buys land in Heath, apparently to build another data center "Microsoft, which previously purchased land in Hebron, New Albany and Pataskala, is now eying Heath as well. Heath Mayor Mark Johns confirmed Friday the company acquired property west of Thornwood Drive and south of Hallie Lane on land previously owned by Ramp Creek Estate LLC, which owned 219 acres on three parcels. The two westernmost parcels are bordered on the north by the railroad tracks. The land, which is in the Lakewood School District, is in a pre-1994 Community Reinvestment Area, which means it qualifies for a 15-year, 100% tax abatement on the improvements made to the property. In 2025, the Ohio Department of Transportation plans to improve Thornwood Drive, from Irving Wick Drive West to Lees Road. City and county officials have been working for years on a Thornwood Drive economic development corridor, from the Thornwood Crossing interchange on Ohio 16 to Interstate 70." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/05/10/microsoft-buys-land-in-heath-apparently-to-build-another-data-center/73645119007/

More pictures from the Dispatch:

Site Plan breakdown and some renderings on what to expect at Assembly https://www.realmcollaborative.com/work/kroger

Updated renderings of the first two fabs at Intel's Ohio One facility (Released May 1st) https://www.nbc4i.com/intel-in-ohio/differences-appear-in-intels-latest-renderings-of-its-ohio-one-plant-in-new-albany/

$180 million parking garage at John Glenn airport to be built on site of McDonald’s "A parking garage project costing nearly $180 million will be built on the site of a McDonald’s at John Glenn International Airport to accompany its upcoming $2 billion terminal. Ground is expected to be broken in early 2025 for the new terminal. Featuring 36 gates, it will be built where the cellphone and Blue parking lots currently sit. This project is meant to accommodate the region’s growth, which the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission projects is on track to add hundreds of thousands of residents in the next decade. Columbus Regional Airport Authority’s board voted Tuesday to approve a $179,837,160 contract for the parking garage on the site of the McDonald’s at 4250 International Gateway. It will include 5,000 spaces and 100 electric vehicle charging stations." https://www.yahoo.com/news/180-million-parking-garage-john-110000051.html

Drone shot in today's Dispatch from April 20, 2024

The ninth superload headed to Central Ohio will be the largest yet. This load, a Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Tank nearly 200 ft long, will be on area roadways Friday and Saturday as it makes its way to Intel... LOAD 9 TO NEW ALBANY Cargo: Tank — LOX Height: 19’2” Width: 16’3” Length: 197’ Weight: 436,410 pounds • May 2: Load 9 moves from the dock to Ross County Fairgrounds • May 3: Load 9 travels from Ross County Fairgrounds to Rickenbacker • May 4: Load 9 travels from Rickenbacker to New Albany for delivery https://siliconheartland.newalbanyohio.org/2024/04/10/upcoming-superload-deliveries/

IMC Logistics now up and running at its new home on Columbus' west side "The trucking company invested $19 million in the move, including the cost to buy the real estate and build its new state-of-the-art facility, according to Barry Bernard, president of the Ohio Valley and North Atlantic regions for the firm. Construction started in 2022. The project combined the company's headquarters at 130 East Wilson Bridge Road in Worthington and the drayage operations on Walcutt Road into a single facility at 2001 Walcutt Road near Hilliard. The 11,000-square-foot headquarters facility and the drayage operations help move import and export containers to and from the rail system. The new facility also has space to store loads. "This is one of the only of its kind in Ohio," Bernard said. "The need for this facility was driven by the continued growth of the logistics sector and the continued growth of Columbus." https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/04/25/ohio-intermodal-services-opens-hilliard.html

Amgen open and ready for more Amgen Inc.'s biopharmaceutical processing and packaging plant opened in February in New Albany. It has more than 200 employees now and two production lines with a goal of growing to 400 workers and eight lines. Javier Tapia, executive director and plant manager with Amgen, said that operation will deliver 11 million units this year. By 2025 that could be 55 million. Based on Amgen’s pipeline, the company expects to need 15 more production lines throughout its manufacturing network, which now includes Ohio. https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/04/25/intel-honda-amgen-american-nitrile-ohio-manufactur.html

Intel, Honda and others discuss Ohio's manufacturing future at our Columbus Opportunity Summit Intel's future plans: "Five years from now, Intel could already be prepping for an expansion. The company's initial semiconductor "fab" is on track to be completed by 2026 or 2027, with up to a year of equipment installation and certification after that. Production could begin in 2027 or 2028. “We’ve committed to building first two (fabs), but Keyvan and our CEO Pat Gelsinger have not been shy. We have 1,000 acres on our site in New Albany. The full build out for the company can accommodate eight fabs or more. We're currently building the fifth and sixth in Arizona. I think we have 730 acres there.” He also spoke at Thursday's event, saying the Ohio project is not just critical for the state and Intel, but the country as a whole as it tries to regain a leadership position in semiconductor manufacturing. Hoggatt said the U.S. once produced 40% of the world’s chips. It now makes 11% “I've had the opportunity to go out (to Arizona) a couple times to see the scale,” he said. “It gets me excited about the potential of what Ohio could look like long term with the amount of land we have available for potential future expansions.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/04/25/intel-honda-amgen-american-nitrile-ohio-manufactur.html

Another superload headed to Intel will be on area roadways today and Sunday... LOAD 8 TO NEW ALBANY Cargo: Hex/Cold Box (Air Processor) Height: 19’3” Width: 20’ Length: 128’ Weight: 378,400 pounds • April 25: Load 8 moves from the dock to Ross County Fairgrounds • April 26: Load 8 travels from Ross County Fairgrounds to Rickenbacker • April 27: No moves • April 28: Load 8 travels from Rickenbacker to New Albany for delivery https://siliconheartland.newalbanyohio.org/2024/04/10/upcoming-superload-deliveries/

Intel, Ohio partner on $1 million Dillon wetland restoration project The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Intel’s Executive Vice President met today to announce a new H2Ohio partnership. The Officials met at Dillon State Park to discuss the partnership that will help protect and improve water quality in the Licking Watershed. The Licking River project will help to restore 90 acres of retired farmland along the Licking River. Once it’s restored, the floodplain wetland will capture phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment in flood waters and prevent them from contaminating the Licking River. The ODNR projects for this project begin this summer and wrap up by the fall. https://cwcolumbus.com/newsletters/dewine-intel-announce-commitment-to-water-quality-amid-community-development-concerns-central-columbus-ohio

New drone video from Intel - Couldn't get it to embed but here's the link https://www.dispatch.com/videos/news/2024/04/23/drone-views-of-massive-intel-chip-plant-being-built-in-new-albany-oh/73427671007/

NCAA approves helmet communication, two-minute warning effective for 2024 football season Two college football rule changes were made official on Friday. "The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight panel officially approved both in-helmet communication on the field and a two-minute warning at the end of each half for college football, effective for the 2024 football season. Each team will be allowed to have one player on the field at a time with direct communication to coaches through his helmet, and that player will be identified with a green dot on the back midline of his helmet. Communications will be closed with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock or when the ball is snapped, whichever comes first on a given play." https://www.elevenwarriors.com/college-football/2024/04/146782/ncaa-approves-helmet-communication-two-minute-warning-effective-for-2024-football-season

Ohio State Men's Volleyball wins 19th conference tournament title "The Ohio State men's volleyball team has won back-to-back conference tournament championships for the 10th time after earning another Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association title on Saturday night with a 3-1 win over Lindenwood. Ohio State has now won its last nine trips to the MIVA Tournament for a total of 19 conference tournament titles. The Buckeyes (22-8 this season) will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the 23rd time in school history. They will learn of their quarterfinal opponent during Sunday’s selection show, which starts at 4 p.m. on NCAA.com, with tournament play scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 30." https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-athletics/2024/04/146820/ohio-state-mens-volleyball-wins-19th-conference-tournament-title

I have an inside source at CM Chicken that I have a chance to sit down with from time to time. We usually discuss expansion plans and possible new locations. I saw him again this week on Tuesday, and was able to get a couple small updates on their plans... - The location they were hoping to open on Sawmill Rd (near Hard Rd) is not happening. He did say they are still interested in the Sawmill corridor, but it just won't be in that location near Hard. - They are still pursuing multiple more locations across Central Ohio. The next one they will open will be on 5th Ave in 5xNW "near the BW3". He anticipates the 5th Ave location will open in around four months. That's all I could get this time, as I only had a few minutes with him.

ODOT responds to U.S. 23 questions "In a 25-page document issued this month, ODOT has summarized its responses for the questions and comments brought up at four in-person and two virtual public meetings. ODOT, as well as the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, are conducting the study to improve traffic flow from Toledo to Columbus, a major transportation route for trucks. With Columbus being a logistics hub, attention is being drawn to U.S. 23, which is said to currently have 30% more traffic than it was designed for. You may recall that initially in 2022, the study looked at “free-flow connections between Waldo and Interstate-270,” ODOT said. This included potential bypasses around the city of Delaware, which received pushback from the public. This 23-mile corridor in Marion, Delaware, and Franklin counties has now been divided into seven segments where improvements can be made, and alternatives have been listed." More information found here: www.transportation.ohio.gov/23connect

Vote YES on the COTA levy this November! If passed it will, among many other things, add 24/7 service to select routes.

Ohio State Men's Tennis on verge of winning 18th consecutive B1G Title "The No. 1 ranked Ohio State men’s tennis team was at it again on Sunday, this time sweeping Michigan, 4-0, for another Big Ten win. With the win, Ohio State remains alone atop the Big Ten as the only unbeaten team at 7-0, and improves its overall record to an astonishing 25-1 on the season. The Buckeyes will close the regular season on the road next weekend with matches at Nebraska on Friday and Wisconsin on Sunday. They are just one win away from clinching their 18th consecutive Big Ten title." https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/2024/04/14/ohio-state-mens-tennis-beats-michigan-in-sweep-buckeyes/

Picture in today's Dispatch of the Google data center on Rathmell Road:

Construction Begins on Pool Excavation at the Bob Crane Community Center https://upperarlingtonoh.gov/construction-begins-on-pool-excavation-at-the-bob-crane-community-center/

A little more on Beulah Park... Grove City's Beulah Park development heads to the finish line with nearly 1,000 homes "Developers are heading to the finish line of the 220-acre Beulah Park development in Grove City. The development, on the former site of the Beulah Park racetrack, is adding two mixed-use buildings on the southwest corner that will serve as the entrance to the project from downtown Grove City. The buildings, called Beulah Crossing, are one of the last major phases of the development, with an estimated value so far at $550 million to $600 million. The three-story Beulah Crossing will include 40 apartments above ground-floor commercial space targeted for two restaurants. Beulah Park is well on track to include nearly 1,000 homes and apartments, in addition to commercial space, all anchored by a 32-acre park. A shelter has just been completed in the park, along with pickleball courts, and the city plans an amphitheater on the site." https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/real-estate/2024/04/11/grove-citys-beulah-park-development-races-to-finish-line/73276227007/

A little update on when to expect the next three superloads on local roadways... LOAD 5 TO HEBRON Cargo: Kiln Height: 20’8” Width: 18’ Length: 176’2” Weight: 549,000 pounds • April 11: Load 5 will depart from the dock Thursday, April 11 and will travel from Manchester to Ross County Fairgrounds • April 12: Ross County Fairgrounds to Rickenbacker • April 13: No moves • April 14: Rickenbacker to Hebron for delivery LOADS 6 & 7 TO INTEL SITE IN NEW ALBANY Cargo: Hex/Cold Box (Air Processor) Height: 19’3” Width: 20’ Length: 128’ Weight: 378,400 pounds Loads 6 and 7 will depart from the dock the week of April 15. Loads 6 and 7 are intended to move to Rickenbacker and through Columbus two days in a row. • April 15: Load 6 moves from the dock to Ross County Fairgrounds • April 16: Load 6 travels from Ross County Fairgrounds to Rickenbacker • April 17: No moves • April 18: Load 7 moves from the dock to Ross County Fairgrounds • April 19: Load 7 travels from Ross County Fairgrounds to Rickenbacker • April 20: Load 6 travels from Rickenbacker to New Albany for delivery • April 21: Load 7 travels from Rickenbacker to New Albany for delivery https://siliconheartland.newalbanyohio.org/2024/04/10/upcoming-superload-deliveries/

More homes to be built on 22 acres directly south of Addison Farms development "A Cleveland-based developer is moving forward with plans to expand its central Ohio footprint by building more than 70 homes directly south of its 270-acre development in northwest Delaware. The Delaware Planning Commission approved on April 3 the proposal by Addison Rutherford, one of several development companies owned by Jason Friedman — a prolific real estate developer also constructing Delaware’s sprawling 273-acre Addison Farms development. Addison Rutherford’s proposal calls for the construction of 72 single-family homes across 22 vacant acres. The development, referred to as “Rutherford Acres” in the proposal, will connect to the Hayes Colony subdivision to the west by extending Rutherford and Birchard avenues. Rutherford Acres will also intersect with Addison Farms’ Four Seasons subdivision, under construction to feature 49 single-family homes on 29 acres and 45 single-family homes on 11 acres." https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/delaware-county/72-homes-planned-for-south-of-delawares-270-acre-addison-farms-development/

First superload heading to Intel expected to arrive today "The fourth of nearly two dozen super loads moving across Ohio roadways will become the first to arrive at Intel in New Albany on Wednesday. The super load left from a dock on the Ohio River near Manchester in Adams County last week. This will be the first to arrive at Intel’s Ohio One plant, with the first three arriving at the Freepoint Eco-Systems recycling facility near Hebron. This load carries an air processor, weighs 378,400 pounds, and is over 19 feet tall, 20 feet wide and 128 feet long." https://www.nbc4i.com/intel-in-ohio/latest-super-load-on-the-move-when-intels-first-shipment-could-arrive/