Luvcbus

Interesting article out today detailing how fast the Columbus Metro is adding data centers: Columbus among nation's top 10 data center regions, report shows "The Columbus area is adding data centers so fast that it now has become one of the top 10 regions in the country for them. A new report finds that data center space increased 146% over the past 10 years in central Ohio. The 1.9 million square feet of space added here between 2012 and 2021 trailed only Washington, D.C., and Dallas over that period. "Columbus has grown a surprising amount," he said. Baxtel's site shows Columbus has 40 data centers to 21 for Cleveland and 16 for Cincinnati. By power use, however, the Columbus area dwarfs the other Ohio cities, with 314.1 megawatts used compared with 43.7 in Cincinnati and 22.4 in Cleveland. "Power is just a better way to measure the size of the data center industry," Bell said. "Everything is a function of power." https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/11/25/columbus-home-to-amazon-facebook-google-data-centers/69636957007/

The next phase of tree clearing and utility relocation is kicking off near the Intel site in anticipation of numerous upcoming road construction projects: "Upcoming Utility Tree Removal Near Intel Site: A contractor for The Energy Cooperative will begin clearing trees for the relocation of utilities by the end of November, and possibly before Thanksgiving. This tree clearing will begin on Clover Valley Road and extend to Mink Street, and Green Chapel Street and is being performed in anticipation of upcoming road projects." https://newalbanyohio.org/answers/new-albany-silicon-heartland/

Ran across a few pics of the progress being made at the Intel site

Early yesterday, some cracking was found in one concrete column in the new tower: "The medical center postponed a previously planned topping out ceremony to mark the installation of the final structural beams on the new inpatient hospital. Out of an abundance of caution, steel work has been temporarily paused on the project. On Monday morning, cracking was found in one concrete column. The cracking appears to be isolated and localized to one column, and there are more than 60 additional concrete or steel columns on each level of the structure. Based on an initial review from the structural engineer of record, at this time Ohio State has been advised that there is not a safety issue that impacts the remainder of the building. The structural engineer of record and an additional third-party engineer will further examine the site to determine when steel work and related construction can resume." https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/mediaroom/pressreleaselisting/updated-media-advisory-beat-xichigan-tailgate-event

I recently read that it will still be quite a while before we see vertical construction start because it will take a few months to pour the foundation. Apparently, each fab will be roughly five football fields long and they require the foundation to be about sixty feet deep, to eliminate vibration. So just for the first two fabs, they'll have to pour concrete sixty feet down covering the area of nearly ten football fields. That's a lot of concrete!

New rec center coming to the Hilltop... Nonprofit empowering Muslim youth through new Hilltop rec center "For nearly a decade, a Columbus nonprofit has been uplifting youth and underprivileged communities in the Hilltop neighborhood. Zerqa Abid, founder and president of My Project USA, created the organization, which began as a community food pantry then expanded to provide a youth soccer league and other engaging programs. Abid is now aiming to create the organization’s own recreational center to provide protection and engagement for her neighborhood’s youth. Abid estimates that the new facility will be built next year." https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/nonprofit-empowering-muslim-youth-through-new-hilltop-rec-center/

An article out in Fortune today mentions Intel plans on partnering with Ohio community leaders to help prepare for the increased housing demand, although no detailed plans are available just yet... Intel’s plan for a $20B chipmaking hub in Ohio means an affordable housing problem: ‘Where are we putting everybody?’ "Where are we putting everybody?” asked Melissa Humbert-Washington, vice president of programs and services at Homes for Families, which helps low-wage workers find housing in a region already suffering a major shortage. The region has averaged about 8,200 building permits per year for both single-family and multi-unit buildings, even as job and population growth estimates predating the Intel project called for more than twice that, according to the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio. Across the country, a growing number of companies are responding to housing concerns by rolling out ambitious plans for thousands of units of new housing. Intel, too, looks forward to partnering with Ohio community leaders to prepare for the increased housing demand over the next few years, said Intel spokesperson Linda Qian, without providing details." Anyone interested in the full story, can find it here: https://fortune.com/2022/11/19/intel-ohio-semiconductor-chipmaking-hub-affordable-housing-real-estate-problem/

A rendering in The Dispatch gives a very early look at what some of the development could look like: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/gahanna/2022/11/18/city-gahanna-cic-announce-effort-to-purchase-4-acres-in-creekside/69660406007/

Numerous more construction projects were approved at today's Board of Trustees committee meeting... Just a few of note: •Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital The project will design and construct the new hospital. Trustees approved an increase totaling $85 million for professional services and construction with contingency. •Cannon Drive relocation – phase 2 The project will rebuild Cannon Drive between John Herrick Drive and Woody Hayes Drive. Trustees approved an increase of $11.3 million for construction with contingency. •19th Avenue and Cockins vault tunnel repairs The project will maintain critical university infrastructure by designing and completing corrective action on the Cockins vault and the 19th Avenue tunnel section near McPherson Chemical Laboratory. •Blackwell Pavilion The project will construct an all-season, enclosed pavilion on the existing plaza at the Blackwell Inn. •Equine Performance Evaluation Arena The project will construct a 12,000-square-foot arena for equine performance, connected to the Galbreath Equine Hospital. All of the other approved construction projects can be found here: https://news.osu.edu/research-wins-propel-excellent-year-at-ohio-state/

City of Hilliard adds OSU Wexner Medical Center to $66 million recreation and wellness complex "The city of Hilliard is leasing space in its planned $66 million recreation and wellness center to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Hilliard City Council approved the lease this week for the complex, which is part of a 125-acre community center campus planned on city-owned property west of Municipal Park, near the intersection of Scioto Darby and Alton Darby Creek roads. Current plans call for the center to open in early 2025. The center will total 85,000 square feet and also will include non-traditional spaces such as a meditation room, cafe/juice bar, community garden, outdoor patio and a green room/technology space. The facility was approved by residents as part of a ballot initiative in 2021." https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/16/wexner-medical-center-hilliard-recreation-wellness.html

Recently some were wondering just how much money from the CHIPS Act would end up in Central Ohio for Intel's project(s)... According to this article out last week, the Federal Government will pour about $3 billion into the first phase with the potential to add another $3 billion towards later phases: From the article: "Intel recently broke ground on its Ohio-based "mega fab", which will cost $20 billion in its first phase and potentially up to $100 billion in total. The CHIPS Act has committed $3 billion of Federal funding for the first phase and potentially up to $6 billion in total. The project will also include job creation and funding for regional education." Full article found here: https://www.thestreet.com/investing/how-should-intel-navigate-the-coming-storms

A recent article in CBF talking about transportation improvements that are being planned/considered because of the Intel project mentioned this: "The Licking County Transportation Improvement District has several initiatives underway, including Intel-area road improvements. Other efforts center around Johnstown-area roadways, including a possible redirect of Route 62 around the city, as well as an Interstate 70/State Route 161 connector and a Thornwood Drive corridor from New Albany to I-70." That's the first I've heard of a possible connector built between 161 and I-70... Anyone hear anything else about this yet? For reference, you can find the entire article here: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/14/intel-central-ohio-planning-infrastructure-efforts.html

3D mapping to show how development affects Franklin County neighborhoods "The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is creating 3D maps of Franklin County, a digital representation of communities, so officials and residents can determine which buildings would fit and which wouldn't. The maps could also help officials understand the impact on initiatives such as the LinkUS effort by the Central Ohio Transit Authority aimed at creating bus rapid transit lines and resulting development in the county, as well as the Rapid 5 effort to develop a regional park system along five major waterways and potential projects linked to that. It's a work in progress, but so far, MORPC has created a half-million structures in 3D, using data and building footprints. "It would help with public engagement and NIMBYism," Carr said, referring to "Not In My Back Yard" sentiments often expressed by neighbors to many projects. Columbus is comprehensively revamping its zoning code for the first time in 70 years, examining ways to create more dense neighborhoods to handle anticipated population growth. The city wants to reduce the number of variances needed for developers, who often end up fighting with residents and neighborhoods that don't want proposed projects, such as the two-year battle waged by residents of Schumacher Place near German Village to the redevelopment of a former Giant Eagle store into a 4-story building with 262 residential units." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/11/14/3d-mapping-can-show-how-a-new-building-impacts-your-neighborhood/69626014007/

There's a "farmers market" in that area on Marion Rd at Parsons that has some pretty good deals. I got a big, juicy tomato from Georgia there yesterday and she only charged me a buck! It's not a very big place, but they have some decent fruits and veggies for very reasonable prices.

An update was recently released on when we can expect the rebuilding and widening of the all the streets near the Intel site to begin... The first two major projects to start construction will be: Project 1 • Mink Street: Worthington Road to Green Chapel Road • Jug Street: Harrison Road to Clover Valley Road • Clover Valley Road: Mink Street to Miller Road (new roadway between Jug St. and Mink St.) Project 2 • Green Chapel Road: US 62 (including widening on 62) to Mink Street • Clover Valley Road: Miller Road to Green Chapel Road New Albany expects to issue the Notice to Proceed for both projects by March 3, 2023 https://newalbanyohio.org/

New Albany will be getting their fieldhouse and community center... On Tuesday, voters in the New Albany-Plain Local Joint Park District approved a bond issue for construction and a levy for the operation of a new fieldhouse and community center in the city. Both the levy and the bond issue passed 51%-49% The facility will cover 190,000 square feet in the park at 7860 Bevelhymer Rd. Of that space, 42,000 square feet will be for the community center. In addition to providing space for all indoor sports, including an indoor track and turf fields, the facility will also provide space for expos and tournaments. The fieldhouse and community center is expected to be built and ready for use in late 2024. More about the fieldhouse can be found here: https://nafieldhouse.org/about/

Not a huge surprise here, but great news nonetheless. Columbus voters approve affordable housing bond issue "Voters approved Columbus' $200 million bond package for affordable housing that Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and other city officials say will provide funding for homes for lower-income residents in a market quickly becoming too-expensive for many." With 100% of precincts reporting- Neighborhood Development Bond Issue: ($200 million; 0.78 mill, 20 years) ✓Yes 145,504 67.8% No 69,141 32.2% https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/11/09/columbus-voters-approving-affordable-housing-infrastructure-bonds/69605995007/

UA City Council approves construction of two shared-use paths to provide access to Quarry Trails Metro Park "By the end of 2024, Upper Arlington should have two pedestrian and biking paths that connect local neighborhoods to Quarry Trails Metro Park in Columbus. Following three years of study and public discussions, Upper Arlington City Council voted 5-1 Nov. 7 to approve the construction of two shared-use paths to provide access from the city to Quarry Trails Metro Park, a 226-acre Columbus and Franklin County Metro Park being developed in phases northeast of Trabue and Dublin roads and west of the Scioto River and Upper Arlington. The first of the two concrete paths is expected to be built in 2023 along Lane Avenue. It is to be a 10-foot-wide shared-use path constructed from Lane's intersection with Asbury Drive to Riverside Drive. The Lane-Asbury intersection would be realigned to eliminate a continuous right-turn lane, and a decorative timber guardrail would be installed between the road and the path. The second path would be built along Riverside Drive from its intersection with Lane to Trabue Road. The path would continue on Trabue, connecting to the Trabue Road bridge, a project that's being constructed by the Franklin County Engineer's Office." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/upper-arlington/2022/11/08/ua-set-to-build-multiuse-path-connections-to-quarry-trails-metro-park/69599711007/

...encompassing more than 300,000 square feet of office space and hotels, and more than 45,000 square feet of retail plus the 359 residential units.

The article says it includes "359 multifamily dwelling units in five buildings".

A little update in today's Dispatch: "Hilliard Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 10 is to consider a final development plan for a proposal by Equity for a $100 million mixed-use development on the west side of Trueman Boulevard, 1,500 feet south of Davidson Road. The planning and zoning commission is to meet at 7 p.m. at the Hilliard Municipal Building, 3800 Municipal Way. To be known as TruePointe, Equity is proposing a final development plan consisting of 11 building lots, 359 multifamily dwelling units in five buildings, a 6-story parking garage with 616 spaces and a second 6-story parking garage with 708 spaces, on 28 acres. “(TruePointe) will change the face of Hilliard,” Steve Wathen, CEO of Equity, told ThisWeek News July 19. The $100 million-plus mixed-use development encompassing more than 300,000 square feet of office space and hotels, and more than 45,000 square feet of retail, is to be complete in about two years from the start of construction, according to Wathen." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/hilliard/2022/11/04/equity-proposes-100-million-mixed-use-development-on-trueman-boulevard/69619707007/

Columbus-area trucking company building new headquarters on west side "An Ohio trucking company is building a new headquarters and depot services area near the CSX rail in Columbus. On Thursday, Ohio Intermodal Services broke ground on the new facility that will combine 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 on the 24-acre facility and the drayage operations to follow will address the growing needs of Ohio Intermodal Services customers and the greater Columbus logistics community." https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/04/ois-hq.html

Snack food maker to put new factory in Zanesville "Barcel USA, best known for its Takis brand of snack foods, was granted a 1.3%, 10-year Job Creation Tax Credit for a new factory in the National Road Business Park, the first such development in the park. The facility is expected to create 320 full-time jobs, with $15 million in annual payroll. The company is owned by Grupo Bimbo. The company, headquartered in Mexico City and with facilities in 33 countries, has two locations in Zanesville, where they make bread products." https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/local/2022/11/01/snack-food-maker-barcel-usa-to-build-factory-in-zanesville/69606386007/

New hotel planned for Taylor Square commercial district "A 117-room, 19,000-square-foot Home2 Suites by Hilton is planned for nearly 3 acres at State Route 256 and Interstate-70. The major site plan for 2426 Taylor Square Drive, near Buffalo Wild Wings and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, received unanimous approval Nov. 3 from the planning commission. No timetable was given for the project." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/reynoldsburg/2022/11/04/alliance-not-quite-ready-to-reveal-plans-for-reynoldsburg-headquarters/69618674007/

Cities Working Together to Turn Big Walnut Trail Plans into Reality "Although the Big Walnut Trail has existed as a dotted line on the Central Ohio Greenways map for years – traversing through a huge swath of eastern Columbus as well as many suburbs, villages and townships – only a few sections of the trail have actually been completed. Currently, people can walk and bike along the Big Walnut Creek for several miles in Westerville, Gahanna and Columbus, but the three separate segments do not connect up with each other. Three different jurisdictions within the corridor – Columbus, Whitehall and Gahanna – have been working on a plan to change that, and have each applied for funding to build key segments of the trail that would all link together, forming a continuous path from Three Creeks Metro Park in the southeast corner of the county to Morse Road on the north side. An additional project has already been funded to fill in part of the gap north of Morse Road, and to connect the Big Walnut Trail to the Alum Creek Trail to the west. https://columbusunderground.com/cities-working-together-to-turn-big-walnut-trail-plans-into-reality-bw1/