Luvcbus

On the docket for Monday's City Council meeting... Investing in Affordable Supportive Housing Council President Shannon G. Hardin is sponsoring ordinances that use federal HOME-ARP funds to support meaningful housing efforts aimed at addressing homelessness, mental health needs and homeownership for low-income families. These investments will help expand access to stable housing and supportive services across Columbus. • Scioto Rise Place: Ordinance 0726-2025 allocates $1,500,000 to support the development of 60 one-bedroom units of permanent supportive housing at 42 W. Jenkins Avenue near Merion Village. Forty-eight units will prioritize residents experiencing chronic homelessness, while 12 units will serve individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders. • Knoll View Place: Ordinance 0724-2025 authorizes $1,250,000 to help build 50 one-bedroom units of permanent supportive housing at 897 E. Mound Street on former city Land Bank property on the Near East Side. Forty-six units will serve residents experiencing chronic homelessness, and four units will support individuals with severe mental illness or co-occurring disorders.

Columbus Zoo expands Zoombezi Bay with record-breaking attraction "The Columbus Zoo is building a record-breaking new attraction at Zoombezi Bay called Conservation Tower, and it’s unlike anything the world has seen before. Guests will soon be able to enjoy three new water slides: “Captina Falls”, “The Hive”, and “Mussel Mayhem.” Mussel Mayhem is the first of its kind in the Midwest, while the other two are the first of their kind in the world. Sabo said the construction of “Conservation Tower” and Coral Kitchen, Zoombezi Bay’s newest dining destination, is an over $10 million project. That makes it the largest capital investment ever made in the park. The Columbus Zoo has not yet set an opening date for Conservation Tower, but it’s aiming for early summer. In the meantime, Coral Kitchen is expected to open at the beginning of June." https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus-zoo/columbus-zoo-expands-zoombezi-bay-with-record-breaking-attraction/ More details about the new attractions found here: https://www.columbuszoo.org/news/zoombezi-bay-announces-worlds-first-conservation-tower-water-park-attraction

Intel, TSMC tentatively agree to form chipmaking joint venture, The Information reports Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing company TSMC have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture to operate the U.S. chipmaker's factories, The Information reported on Thursday, citing two people involved in the discussions. TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, will take a 20% stake in the new company, the report said. https://www.reuters.com/technology/intel-tsmc-tentatively-agree-form-chipmaking-joint-venture-information-reports-2025-04-03/

Designs Unveiled for Downtown North Market Expansion North Market will start construction to expand its downtown Columbus location next year. The expansion will include multiple new merchant stalls, a Market-owned bar concept, and additional seating, restrooms and storage on the first floor. The second floor will feature a facility dedicated to events and programming. The facility will have a covered balcony overlooking the new outdoor plaza. The 15,000-square-foot addition will be on the east side of the market, as a part of the 32-story mixed used Merchant Building tower. The new area will be centered around a Market-owned bar concept, with spaces for five-to-seven new vendors around the bar’s perimeter. The expansion will also include an additional guest common room and seating and a second story event space for “state-of-the-art dedicated events” overlooking the new outdoor market plaza. https://614now.com/2025/food-drink/north-market-announces-15000-square-foot-expansion-including-new-bar

Nearly 10 years in, here's how Lewis Center's Evans Farm has grown - and what's next What was once an 1,100-acre tract of farmland has steadily transformed into a master-planned community with multiple residential neighborhoods, commercial developments and a mixed-use district that mimics a downtown streetscape inside an unincorporated community in Delaware County. The Evans Farm development in Lewis Center started in 2016 with the construction of 142 homes and accompanying retail space. Today, there are more than 300 single-family homes, another 300-plus apartment units and 50,000 square feet of commercial space. And that's just the beginning. Evans Farm is zoned for 2,100 single-family homes and around 1,600 apartments. On the commercial side, as much as 400,000 square feet is planned for the sprawling development. "We're only about 20% developed, we have a ton of stuff coming on. The next three or four years will take us from 20% to 60%," Zenios said. "That's already booked." Though not part of the Evans Farm development, the newly opened Jennings Sports Park may accelerate the foot traffic in the neighborhood given its proximity and potential for an influx of visitors coming there for recreation, games and tournaments. Zenios estimated that when all is said and done, Evans Farm could have about a $2 billion economic impact. https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/04/03/evans-farm-lewis-center-master-planned-community.html

City of Columbus launches 'clean and safe corridor' initiative with Parsons Avenue, more areas planned In response to residents' feedback, Columbus leaders have launched a project that gives extra TLC to certain corridors in need, starting with Parsons Avenue on the South Side. For the past two weeks, on Parsons Ave between East Livingston Avenue and Hosack Street, city workers and law enforcement have filled potholes, inspected code violations, impounded cars and issued citations. They were responding to specific issues raised by residents. Ginther and Council President Shannon G. Hardin announced the Clean and Safe Corridor initiative on Thursday outside Bake Me Happy, a former post office on Whittier. After the two-week blitz draws to a close on Friday, Hardin said the city council intends to vote on a $165,000 grant on Monday to help the South Side Thrive Collaborative sustain the safety and cleanliness efforts in the neighborhood. Some of the highlights during the two-week blitz, city employees: Impounded 25 cars, patched potholes for 78 man-hours and swept streets for 55 man-hours, collected 541 bags of trash and nearly 17 tons of bulk refuse. The city also enhanced 11 intersections with new crosswalks, stop bars and lane control arrows, hung 117 new street signs and planted 34 trees along the corridor. The city intends to expand the initiative this year to three additional commercial corridors, which Ginther will announce on April 16. More about the clean and safe corridor initiative along the Parsons Avenue corridor found here: https://www.columbus.gov/News-articles/City-Announces-the-Clean-and-Safe-Corridors-Initiative-on-Parsons-Avenue#:~:text=Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther,life along key business corridors.

Former Lumber Yard to Possibly Transform into Townhome Community in South Central Circleville "A significant redevelopment project is planned for South Central Circleville, as the former Cellar Lumber yard site is slated to be transformed into a modern townhome community. Circleville Investment Group LLC is spearheading the project and has filed an application to rezone the large property from Industrial Enterprise (IE) to Multi-Use Residential (MUR). The proposed rezoning aims to convert the currently vacant industrial site into a vibrant residential area, promising to revitalize the neighborhood and contribute to the city’s overall growth. According to the application, the development will consist of 10 multi-unit townhome buildings, offering a variety of housing options for potential residents. The proposed townhome community will feature access points from Ohio Street, Pickaway Street, and Washington Street. Plans also include the development of a park, pool, and office space within the community." https://www.sciotopost.com/former-lumber-yard-to-possibly-transform-into-townhome-community-in-south-central-circleville/

Sales tax now at 8% in Franklin County Sales tax is going up by half a percent starting Tuesday, April 1 in Franklin County and sections of four surrounding counties as a result of voters last fall approving a Central Ohio Transit Authority levy that will increase COTA's share of local sales tax by 0.5%, bringing its total share to 1%. The bump is to fund LinkUS, a plan to improve transit, build rapid bus lines and create more sidewalks and bike paths. COTA's sales tax applies within the COTA service area. This includes all of Franklin County but also where Dublin, Westerville, Columbus and Reynoldsburg dip into surrounding counties— Delaware, Licking, Fairfield and Union. Sales tax is a combination of state, county and local transit authority taxes. Currently, the state imposes a 5.75% sales tax on most sales and services. Starting April 1, the total sales tax in Franklin County will be 8%, including 1.25% for the county and 1% for COTA. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/04/01/central-ohio-sales-tax-increasing-tuesday-after-cota-levy-passed/82744327007/

M/I Homes to build another residential community at Jerome Village M/I Homes is building another residential community at the ever growing Jerome Village development in Union County. It will be one of more than two dozen housing communities within the 2,000 acre development. Applewood will include 137 single-family homes off Jerome and Hill roads. The three-to-six bedroom units range from 2,514 square feet to 3,745 square feet. Pricing starts in the mid-$500,000s. Though the development is located in Plain City, it lies within the Dublin City School District. Nearby schools include Abraham Depp Elementary, Eversole Run Middle School and Jerome High School. Residents will have access to the amenities at Jerome Village, which has a community center, Olympic-sized swimming pool, fitness center, restaurant and bar, bike trails and open green spaces. https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/03/31/mi-homes-jerome-village-plain-city-dublin.html

Three new warehouses coming to Reynoldsburg's Taylor Road "Three new speculative warehouses are coming to Reynoldsburg's Taylor Road — a development that could eventually bring 400 jobs and more than $18 million in payroll to the eastern Columbus suburb. Real estate developer Core5 Industrial Partners will build the warehouses on a 54-acre site on the east side of Taylor Road, just south of Broad Street and east of the L Brands complex. The development is expected to go before Reynoldsburg's Planning and Zoning Board on April 17 and hopefully break ground in July or August." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/27/reynoldsburg-taylor-road-3-new-warehouses-400-jobs-possible/82658827007/

Hilliard City Council approves controversial M/I Homes development in Big Darby area "Hilliard City Council approved rezoning for a controversial new housing development Monday evening by a 5-2 vote. City Manager Michelle Crandall and Josh Barkan, a senior vice president with M/I Homes, told council during the meeting that Hilliard has met or exceeded some of the expectations in the Big Darby Accord, which is currently under revision through the end of 2025. For example, Crandall told city council that Hilliard’s zoning code requires at least 70% of open space in residential developments, up from 50% in the accord. “We have been a leader with the Big Darby watershed in preserving, restoring open space and in stream restoration efforts,” Crandall said, adding that the city had already helped preserve nearly 500 acres of open space with the total increasing to 641 acres with the Hill Farm II subdivision. Council also unanimously approved a development agreement with M/I Homes, which will get about $1 million in reimbursements from the city for regional sewer improvements. The developer is also contributing $370,000 to the design and construction of a roundabout at Cosgray Road and Jeffrelyn Drive." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/25/hilliard-approves-rezoning-for-controversial-300-unit-development-in-big-darby-accord-area/82592804007/

Pickerington annexes 151.9 acres from Violet Township, plans for single-family homes "Pickerington is expanding its borders as the southeastern suburb prepares to add more housing north of Refugee Road. Pickerington City Council unanimously approved annexing 151.9 acres from Violet Township during a meeting Tuesday night, City Manager Greg Butcher told The Dispatch in an email Friday. The Fairfield County Board of Commissioners approved the annexation Jan. 7, according to city legislation. The annexed area is roughly bordered by Milnor Road to the west; Ault Road to the east; and an existing subdivision, Pickerington High School North and Lakeview Junior High to the south. While the exact plans are not yet known for the site, preliminary development plans call for building single-family homes over at least 10 years, Butcher wrote in an email." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/25/pickerington-annexes-151-9-acres-plans-for-single-family-homes/82548935007/

Ohio State Women's Hockey gives up tying goal with just 18 seconds to go in regulation, loses in Overtime "Ohio State women's hockey lost to Wisconsin in heartbreaking fashion in the national championship game. The Buckeyes, who led the heavily favored Badgers for most of regulation, fell to the Badgers 4-3 in overtime, falling short of claiming the program's second straight NCAA championship and third national title in four years. Ohio State led 3-2 late in the third period, but Wisconsin capitalized on a penalty shot with 18 seconds left after referees determined by video review that an Ohio State defenseman covered the puck with her hand inside the crease. The Badgers used their new lease on life to win the game three minutes into the overtime period." https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-hockey/2025/03/155436/ohio-state-women-s-hockey-falls-short-of-back-to-back-ncaa-championships-loses-to-wisconsin-4-3-in-overtime

I was able to make it to Dayton Friday night for Westerville North's game and again Saturday night for the all Central Ohio matchup between OO and RHS. Unfortunately neither game was overly competitive. That was the fifth time I was able to catch Westerville North this year and man were they a pleasure to watch. In their championship game Friday night, their suffocating press forced 27 turnovers, including 24 steals! They were beating Perry so bad (+34) midway through the fourth period that they were just one point away from initiating a running clock. They scored 37 points off turnovers and had 33 fast-break points to none for Perry. They finished the tournament with an average margin of victory of 38.3 points per game! The Saturday night game was a bit of a letdown. I had been to multiple Reynoldsburg games this year and that was as bad as I had seen them play all year. Reynoldsburg had the tallest starting five I have seen in years. Still nice to see multiple teams from the area bring State Championships home to Central Ohio!

A nice little drone video showing recent progress at Intel... Giant Cranes SPRING Into Action Video from Lukateake 3/24/25

Columbus Metropolitan Library seeking community input for design of new West Case Branch "The Columbus Metropolitan Library is seeking community input for the design of its newest library branch. CML will be hosting a meeting on the design of the West Case Branch, which will be built across West Case Road across from the Ohio State University and is slated to open in 2027. Attendees will have the opportunity to exchange design ideas with CML leadership and with MSR Design, the Minneapolis-based architecture firm hired to design the branch. The meeting will be held on April 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Carriage Place Community Center, located at 4900 Sawmill Road. Construction of the new branch is expected to begin in 2026 within a new Columbus park being established on land purchased by the city from Ohio State formerly known as the "sheep farm". CML hopes to open the new branch, its 24th serving Franklin County, in 2027." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/24/columbus-metropolitan-library-public-input-design-new-west-case-branch/82644023007/

Hilliard City Council expected to vote on rezoning for 300 new homes near Darby Creek "Hilliard City Council was expected to vote Monday evening on rezoning for a new 300-unit housing development on the city's western edge. Developer M/I Homes first proposed the Hill Farm 2 subdivision in the Big Darby Accord area last year, however the city of Hilliard did not have enough sewer capacity at the time to accommodate the new growth. But Hilliard has since reached an agreement with Columbus for over 1,300 additional sewer taps in the area. Development plans include setting aside about 70% of the space as an open area. The developer has also committed to funding infrastructure improvements and reforesting some of the land. Hilliard’s attorney told city council during the first reading of the ordinance that the additional sewer taps for this development do not violate the Big Darby Accord." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/24/hilliard-voting-on-rezoning-for-development-in-darby-area/82591213007/

Ohio State Women's Hockey Advances to Fourth Consecutive National Championship Game, Seeking Third Title in Four Years Two third-period goals by Joy Dunne propelled Ohio State women’s hockey to a Frozen Four semifinal win over Cornell. A sophomore searching for her second ring, Dunne scored two goals in five third-period minutes on Friday to send the Buckeyes to their fourth consecutive national title game. Ohio State defeated Cornell 4-2 in the Frozen Four semifinals after Dunne's two scores broke a 2-2 tie in the final frame. The Buckeyes will play for their first-ever repeat national championship and third national title in four years on Sunday. Ohio State plays top ranked Wisconsin today. The puck drops for the NCAA women’s hockey national championship at 4 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPNU and can be streamed via ESPN+. https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-hockey/2025/03/155407/ohio-state-womens-hockey-advances-to-fourth-consecutive-national-championship-game-seeking-third-title-in-four-years

Sirens set to reopen, include sports bar and restaurant "Sirens Gentlemen's Club, located at 6190 Cleveland Ave., is in the midst of a soft opening, with a grand opening planned for April. After closing at the start of COVID in March 2020, the club has undergone a "several-million-dollar" renovation, said Greg Flaig, executive director of The Excellence Group, a consultant to the strip club industry who worked with Sirens owner Michael Sharrock to reopen the club. Flaig said the new club will feature four businesses under one roof: a sports bar; a restaurant; a strip club; and "interactive entertainment" that will include male reviews and comedy acts. A new bar, surrounded by TVs, anchors the club, which includes three dance stages and several private lounges." https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2025/03/20/stormy-daniels-sirens-strip-club-columbus-ohio-reopening/82570615007/

Of course, spinoff jobs are hard to predict, but I've heard a couple different officials guesstimate around 4k to 5k spinoff jobs

I actually went to Maysville's Final Four game against Cin Wyoming at Wittenberg Friday night (because Columbus Academy played in the next game). It was a 2OT thriller! One of the better HS games I have seen in quite some time. (Right up there with Reynoldsburg's 2OT thriller last week against Liberty)

Ohio State women's hockey readies for 5th straight Frozen Four, will face Cornell today Ohio State's fifth-year players have advanced to the Frozen Four every season, winning the national championship in 2022 and 2024. The Buckeyes will face Cornell in the first semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday. Ohio State beat the Big Red 7-3 in October. It was a one-goal game until Jocelyn Amos’ short-hander with 39.2 seconds left in the second. Cornell is on a 16-game unbeaten streak (14 wins, two ties) dating back to early January, and the Big Red won the Ivy League title as well as both the regular-season and conference-tournament ECAC titles. Ohio State enters with the No. 2 offense in the country, averaging 3.89 goals per game. Cornell has the No. 2 defense in the country, allowing just 1.38 goals per game. https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/2025/03/21/ohio-state-womens-hockey-cornell-ncaa-frozen-four-national-championship/82575012007/

Columbus Investing in three more Affordable Housing projects Wedgewood Village and the former Latitude Five25 twin towers are two of Columbus' most notoriously troubled low-income apartment complexes in Columbus. Amid a shortage of affordable housing in Columbus, these two large apartment properties and a vacant lot on the Far West Side could become the site of over 1,300 new or refurbished affordable apartments. Franklin County Commissioners pledged their $25 million for the projects in December in two memorandums of understanding, and on March 11 also approved a potential $12.5 million loan for Nuveen via the Affordable Housing Trust. The three projects, which include over 600 new apartments, possibly more, are being undertaken by Nuveen, a global investment management firm. The projects have already secured public funding promises from the city of Columbus and Franklin County. The three affordable housing projects Nuveen is undertaking are: • 525 Sawyer Blvd.: Nuveen plans to tear down the twin apartment towers overlooking Interstate 670 and Downtown and build 400 new apartments across six buildings. The plan includes about 7,000 square feet for amenities and services, 100,000 square feet of outdoor space and about 300 parking spaces. Settles says it will be more "community-like" than before. • Wedgewood Drive: There are about 650 apartments at Wedgewood Village Apartments built in 1955 that Nuveen intends to purchase and refurbish. Residents would be able to remain in their apartments during the improvements, Settles said. Nuveen also plans to step up the security there. • 620 Norton Road: The county owns vacant land across from the Mid-Ohio Market at Norton Road where Nuveen intends to build about 220 apartments. Settles said the plans are in the early stages but there will be parking, community space, outdoor amenities and room for services. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/20/columbus-investing-affordable-housing-latitude-five25-wedgewood/82411990007/

Four teams from the Columbus metro won last weekend and advanced to play for State Championships this coming weekend! A little preview of this weekend's championship games: In the Division 1 Final, Central Ohio is guaranteed a State Championship as two teams from the largest conference in the Columbus metro (the OCC) will battle it out for a State Championship. Both Reynoldsburg and Olentangy Orange will be playing for their first State Championship. In Division 2, Westerville North will play in their first State Championship game in 31 years. WN is the heavy favorite in this one. In Division 5, Columbus Academy remains undefeated on the year and advances to their first State Final since 1981 State Championship Schedule: Division 1 REYNOLDSBURG(26-1) plays OLENTANGY ORANGE(25-2) 3/22/25 (8:30) at UD Arena Division 2 WESTERVILLE NORTH(24-2) plays MASSILLON PERRY(14-13) 3/21/25 at 7:30 at UD Arena Division 5 COLUMBUS ACADEMY(28-0) plays CLEVELAND HEIGHTS LUTHERAN EAST(24-4) 3/22/25 at 10:45 at UD Arena *Also congratulations to the PICKERINGTON CENTRAL girls basketball team. They won the 2025 Division 1 State Championship Saturday night, defeating Cincinnati Princeton 47-44. This is Pick Central's eighth State Championship- which is tied for second most in OHSAA history.

Ran across this little news clip earlier about Anduril's upcoming project next to Rickenbacker. I pulled out a few nuggets from the release... CT to Develop 5 Million Square Feet for Anduril to Manufacture Defense Tech in USA At build-out, the project will be nearly 5 million square feet in ten buildings. The first phase of Arsenal-1 is a 775,000 square foot building that will be completed by CT in 2025. “Construction of the second phase, consisting of a 915,000 square foot manufacturing facility and a 250,000 square foot showcase and office building, is to commence immediately. ..."this is one of the largest industrial building-to-suit transactions ever crafted in the country." Arsenal-1, will be located on a 500-acre site adjacent to 4 million square feet of Class A Logistics buildings previously developed by CT. Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice, an AI software platform that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center... More info about the upcoming development can be found in this release: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/18/3045024/0/en/CT-to-Develop-5-Million-Square-Feet-for-Anduril-to-Manufacture-Defense-Tech-in-USA.html