March 14, 20196 yr ^Yes, a sad irony that out-of-town money is much more concerned with Obetz than Downtown.
August 20, 20195 yr Author Columbus Castings site ready for development, owner says The former Columbus Castings site on the city's south side is clean and ready for development, its owner says. Hull & Associates Inc. has submitted a "no further action" letter to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the 71.9-acre site at 2211 Parsons Avenue on behalf of its owner, New York-based redevelopment specialist Reich Brothers LLC. This completes the remediation process for the land. The EPA must determine that the soil remediation and engineering controls for the land have made it safe for future users. When it does, the agency will issue a covenant not to sue, which protects current and future property owners from being legally responsible for further cleanup as long as the land is properly maintained. Once that takes place, the plans for the site can move ahead. Reich Brothers is negotiations with Chicago-based CRG, the real estate development arm of Clayco Inc., which proposes to build one or two large speculative warehouses on the site, including one that could expand to 1.1 million square feet. The land is one of the largest undeveloped parcels in the city, and plans for its reuse have been highly anticipated for some time, especially with the emergence of nearby new businesses and developments on the south side. MORE: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2019/08/15/columbus-castings-site-ready-for-development-owner.html From the Business First article: Clayco affiliate CRG thinks it can fit two warehouses on the triangular Columbus Castings site
August 20, 20195 yr What a waste of real estate two warehouses would be. Production facilities and offices with the warehouses, sure, but just two warehouses? That belongs at Rickenbacker.
August 20, 20195 yr Also, how many people here knew that East-West 104 is the James Wagner Memorial Highway? Not I!
August 20, 20195 yr 3 hours ago, aderwent said: What a waste of real estate two warehouses would be. Production facilities and offices with the warehouses, sure, but just two warehouses? That belongs at Rickenbacker. Complete with a retention pond. Terrible.
February 11, 20205 yr South side housing development advances despite neighborhood pushback A housing development planned for the city's south side that would serve people experiencing chronic homelessness is moving ahead despite neighborhood resistance. The proposed development, called Touchstone Field, would include 100 single-occupancy permanent supportive housing apartments split between two three-story buildings on 6.4 acres at 2565 Lockbourne Road, a site owned by Sean Mirfendereski of Chagrin Falls. Community Housing Network Inc. plans to buy the land and build the project in two phases. Monday night, Columbus City Council voted 4-3 to approve the rezoning of the site amid pushback from neighbors, who raised concerns about the residents' mental health and the site's proximity to a daycare, among other issues, during 90 minutes of heated debate. In a Medium post published Tuesday, City Council President Shannon Hardin, who grew up in the Southfield neighborhood where the development is headed, acknowledged the concerns of the neighborhood's residents, but defended his decision to vote for the project. "The situation honestly sucks," Hardin wrote. "Southfield is a working-class black neighborhood that hasn’t seen much new private investment. And when there is finally a new development coming it’s not a grocery store or a sit-down restaurant. No, it’s housing for low-income folks. It’s not what they were looking for. It’s the kind of development we too often hear would be fine if it were in 'someone else’s backyard.' … More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/02/11/south-side-housing-development-advances-despite.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 13, 20205 yr Affordable Housing Project Moves Forward Despite Opposition A rare split vote from the Columbus City Council means that a 100-unit affordable housing project in the Southfield neighborhood on the South Side will be moving forward. Council voted 4-3 at its February 10 meeting to approve a rezoning for the project, which will offer supportive housing in a two-building complex at 2565 Lockbourne Rd. The vote came after neighbors voiced their opposition to the project, citing a range of concerns that included safety issues – in particular, residents were worried about the site’s proximity to a childcare facility, and to a bus stop where local children wait for for their school bus every day. More below: https://www.columbusunderground.com/affordable-housing-project-moves-forward-despite-opposition-bw1 "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 13, 20205 yr So someone living in Affordable Housing drives a Lancia Delta Integrale? That's where my tax dollars are going?
February 14, 20205 yr 43 minutes ago, GCrites80s said: So someone living in Affordable Housing drives a Lancia Delta Integrale? That's where my tax dollars are going? Jeremy Clarkson approves.
July 9, 20204 yr Large Solar Facility Planned for South Side Site A new plan has emerged for the 173-acre former landfill site near the intersection of I-71 and I-270 on the South Side. SWACO will lease the land to New York-based BQ Energy Development to build a 50-megawatt solar energy facility. The SWACO Board of Trustees approved a contract for the project, which will be known as Columbus Solar Park, at its June meeting. The contract establishes a lease term of 25 years, with an option to renew, and commits the company to complete the construction of the facility within the next three years. “This innovative partnership with BQ Energy exemplifies what SWACO and Central Ohio are all about,” said SWACO Executive Director Ty Marsh in a statement. “Together we are turning waste into resources by transforming an otherwise unusable piece of property into an economic engine that will generate jobs and revenue for this community while creating a visible representation of the Columbus Region’s commitment to clean, renewable energy.” More below: https://www.columbusunderground.com/large-solar-farm-planned-for-south-side-site-bw1 "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 27, 20204 yr Some interesting changes in the planned redevelopment of the former Columbus Castings site: Columbus Castings redevelopment takes new shape as buyer moves on By Jim Weiker The Columbus Dispatch Posted at 11:55 AM The owner of the former Columbus Castings site on the South Side is considering developing the property itself now that the proposed buyer of the site has backed out. https://www.dispatch.com/business/20200727/columbus-castings-redevelopment-takes-new-shape-as-buyer-moves-on
August 18, 20204 yr Author The Columbus Board of Education voted in January to sell five Columbus City Schools properties. The City of Columbus has elected to purchase one of those properties - the former Stockbridge Elementary School site at 3350 S. Champion Avenue on the South Side. The city’s Recreation and Parks Department will take over the 11-acre school site and plans to use it to extend the adjacent Stockbridge Park. Kerry Francis, Senior Manager of Communications for Recreation and Parks, described the acquisition of the Stockbridge site as “an opportunity for us to expand our existing park that backs up to the existing school grounds…we also plan to plant trees to help this low-canopy area.” https://www.columbusunderground.com/city-to-buy-douglas-elementary-starling-middle-to-be-auctioned-bw1 Above is a link to the CU story about this property acquisition and below is an aerial of the former Stockbridge Elementary School site at 3350 S. Champion Avenue:
January 6, 20214 yr Stand-Alone Giant Eagle Pharmacy Planned for South Side Giant Eagle will be bringing a stand-alone pharmacy to the former Buckeye Food Market building at 1380 S. Fourth St. The company said in a statement that the new store would open “in the coming months,” and that until that time customers could continue to pick up and drop off prescriptions at 280 E. Whittier St., where the pharmacy remains open even after the grocery store at that location served its last customers on December 31. More below: https://www.columbusunderground.com/stand-alone-giant-eagle-pharmacy-planned-for-south-side-bw1 "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 29, 20214 yr Author A $300 million data center – on the scale of those that Google, Facebook and Amazon are building around Central Ohio – could start construction this summer on a site one mile north of Scioto Downs on the Far South Side: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2021/03/08/300m-data-center-planned-for-far-south-side.html
March 29, 20214 yr ^City Council passed the tax abatement for the data center - $54 million for only 20 permanent jobs. It's outrageous. I could understand if there were 1000s of jobs, but 20? https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/03/23/council-cuts-police-uniformed-strength-first-time-six-years/6956589002/
April 5, 20214 yr Jenkins Street Lofts - 27 West Jenkins Ave (4-4-21) Proposed 3 Story / 46 Unit Apartment Building - 33 West Morrill Ave The current site from, Morrill Ave and Wall St. This lot has been used as semi-trailer storage space for the past 20 plus years. Proposed 18 Unit Townhome Development - 359 East Markison Ave In an updated site plan the developer plans to keep the church's steeple, building the townhomes around it, rather than demolishing the entire structure. Proposed 10 Unit Single Family Home Development - 641 E Kossuth St There was local resistance to the development as it would require the removal/relocation of the Kossuth Street garden. At their March 29th meeting City Council approved the rezoning application for the development. Infill duplex - 619 Stanley Ave
April 5, 20214 yr 1 hour ago, NorthShore647 said: Proposed 10 Unit Single Family Home Development - 641 E Kossuth St There was local resistance to the development as it would require the removal/relocation of the Kossuth Street garden. At their March 29th meeting City Council approved the rezoning application for the development. Infill duplex - 619 Stanley Ave Finally drove by this garden last week to see what all the noise was about. Never realized how small it was + and the amount of parks/garden within walking distance of it. Considering the need for housing in central Ohio, I think I agree with building here.
April 5, 20214 yr 1 hour ago, amped91 said: Finally drove by this garden last week to see what all the noise was about. Never realized how small it was + and the amount of parks/garden within walking distance of it. Considering the need for housing in central Ohio, I think I agree with building here. As long as the people who use the garden are getting a new one and have ample time to plan so they aren't forced to move plants mid growing cycle, there shouldn't really be any issues. The only argument I can think of is that it's "change" and "different" and some people just can't handle either.
April 8, 20214 yr On 1/6/2021 at 5:21 PM, ColDayMan said: Stand-Alone Giant Eagle Pharmacy Planned for South Side Giant Eagle will be bringing a stand-alone pharmacy to the former Buckeye Food Market building at 1380 S. Fourth St. The company said in a statement that the new store would open “in the coming months,” and that until that time customers could continue to pick up and drop off prescriptions at 280 E. Whittier St., where the pharmacy remains open even after the grocery store at that location served its last customers on December 31. More below: https://www.columbusunderground.com/stand-alone-giant-eagle-pharmacy-planned-for-south-side-bw1 This new standalone Giant Eagle Pharmacy just opened:
April 9, 20214 yr Totally. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 9, 20214 yr I never experienced Lawson's (and never thought anything was special about the Dairy Marts that replaced them), but boy these ugly buildings are all over Ohio.
April 9, 20214 yr 2 hours ago, ink said: I never experienced Lawson's (and never thought anything was special about the Dairy Marts that replaced them), but boy these ugly buildings are all over Ohio. They were everywhere and they had some really good and popular deli stuff. And yeah just like most retail buildings of the era, they were ugly. Reminds me of BBF's with the "whirling satellite" on top. Everybody's goin' to the BBF, and they're bringin' their appetite Everybody's goin' to the BBF, at the whirlin' satellite
April 9, 20214 yr Author 1 hour ago, Toddguy said: They were everywhere They still are everywhere - but only in Japan(!) https://www.marketplace.org/2018/09/04/how-small-dairy-store-ohio-become-one-biggest-names-japanese-convenience-store/ Apologies for the Lawson's detour, but that's a fascinating story.
April 9, 20214 yr Heck, I stayed here in Tokyo for two weeks. I'll say, I prefer their 7-11's. https://goo.gl/maps/8qXdxRJDHKiMqMWu8 "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 20, 20214 yr On 4/5/2021 at 4:42 PM, TIm said: As long as the people who use the garden are getting a new one and have ample time to plan so they aren't forced to move plants mid growing cycle, there shouldn't really be any issues. The only argument I can think of is that it's "change" and "different" and some people just can't handle either. Thought I’d responded to you awhile back. Here’s an article talking about some of the back and forth between the two. Love the pettiness of the LLC’s letter 😂 https://www.google.com/amp/s/abc6onyourside.com/amp/news/local/kossuth-street-garden-makes-one-more-appeal-3-28-2021
April 20, 20214 yr I hate how entitled people feel to land that isn't theirs. Unfortunately, I think this type of thing is what discourages others from letting undeveloped or abandoned lots be used as gardens, playgrounds, etc. while they await some sort of development or sale. As soon as people use it they expect to be able to use it in perpetuity rather than being grateful they got to use it at all.
May 11, 20214 yr 'Whole area's changing for the better': Merion Village site of Columbus' new affordable housing project Dean Narciso - The Dispatch - May 10, 2021 "As part of ongoing efforts to provide more affordable housing options in Columbus, city officials showed off their latest offering on Monday just a few streets north of Dunn's home. Dubbed Jenkins Street Lofts, the three-story building consists of 15 one-bedroom units, 30 two-bedroom units, and 15 three-bedroom units. All will be occupied by those having incomes between 30% and 70% of the median income for the area. ... Ginther announced $10 million in additional funding as well as a new city position to help promote and implement new projects, calling the steps necessary for 'the kind of growth that is dynamic, equitable and responsive to the needs of our residents.'" Monday's Affordable Housing Initiative Press Conference:
June 3, 20214 yr Anyone know what's going on at 1471 South High Street in Merion Village? (It's where the old KFC used to be). They've been doing some repairs to the building recently and today crews are repaving the lot. I tried to do some research but couldn't find much. I was just wondering if anyone has heard if there's a new business going in there?
June 3, 20214 yr 8 hours ago, CbusOrBust said: Anyone know what's going on at 1471 South High Street in Merion Village? (It's where the old KFC used to be). They've been doing some repairs to the building recently and today crews are repaving the lot. I tried to do some research but couldn't find much. I was just wondering if anyone has heard if there's a new business going in there? I don't know the answer to your question, but it looks like it recently became unavailable for lease on Loopnet. Hopefully, it's one of the new fast food chains that is expanding here, like Bojangles.
June 4, 20214 yr 1 hour ago, TH3BUDDHA said: I don't know the answer to your question, but it looks like it recently became unavailable for lease on Loopnet. Hopefully, it's one of the new fast food chains that is expanding here, like Bojangles. I live close to there, so that would be great! A few years ago, there were some rumblings that the former owners of Explorer's Club were going to open a cajun restaurant there, but it never materialized. It has sat empty so long now, I'd be okay with just about anything going in there.
August 19, 20213 yr Atlanta firm Stonemont Financial buys Columbus Castings property from Reich Brothers Holdings Jim Weiker - The Dispatch - Aug. 17, 2021 "Stonemont Financial Group of Atlanta paid $8.5 million for the 74-acre site on the west side of Parsons Avenue north of Frank Road. 'We are extremely excited about the Castings site purchase and for expanding our presence in the Columbus market,' said Stonemont CEO William (Zack) Markwell in an email, adding that 'our plans aren’t complete for the site.' ... According to its website, the private investment firm Stonemont Financial manages more than $2 billion in real estate assets. The company specializes in industrial and warehouse development."
August 19, 20213 yr 35 minutes ago, NorthShore647 said: Atlanta firm Stonemont Financial buys Columbus Castings property from Reich Brothers Holdings Jim Weiker - The Dispatch - Aug. 17, 2021 "Stonemont Financial Group of Atlanta paid $8.5 million for the 74-acre site on the west side of Parsons Avenue north of Frank Road. 'We are extremely excited about the Castings site purchase and for expanding our presence in the Columbus market,' said Stonemont CEO William (Zack) Markwell in an email, adding that 'our plans aren’t complete for the site.' ... According to its website, the private investment firm Stonemont Financial manages more than $2 billion in real estate assets. The company specializes in industrial and warehouse development." Literally anything on this site will be an improvement! Driving into the city from this direction you see more than a few ugly sites like this, hopefully this starts a trend of increased investment into this area.
August 19, 20213 yr 15 minutes ago, TIm said: Literally anything on this site will be an improvement! Driving into the city from this direction you see more than a few ugly sites like this, hopefully this starts a trend of increased investment into this area. From what I’ve read on other sites, this location can’t be used for residential due to contamination. If that’s true, wonder if we’ll see some warehouses pop up over here?
August 19, 20213 yr Just now, amped91 said: From what I’ve read on other sites, this location can’t be used for residential due to contamination. If that’s true, wonder if we’ll see some warehouses pop up over here? Yeah apparently the company which purchased the land specializes in industrial and warehouse type developments so I would assume that's what will be happening on this site, but you never know!
August 19, 20213 yr 2 minutes ago, TIm said: Yeah apparently the company which purchased the land specializes in industrial and warehouse type developments so I would assume that's what will be happening on this site, but you never know! Would probably create several hundred okay-paying jobs for that area if that happens!
August 19, 20213 yr That's a lot of land for $8.5 million in today's Columbus warehouse development site market. Of course the cleanup is going to be $$$$$$$.
August 20, 20213 yr 20 hours ago, GCrites80s said: That's a lot of land for $8.5 million in today's Columbus warehouse development site market. Of course the cleanup is going to be $$$$$$$. Didn't they already do a lot of remediation or am I thinking of another site?
August 20, 20213 yr That picture from the article might be older than I thought. I haven't been by in a couple months.
August 24, 20213 yr Drove by it today and there is still a lot of busted-up concrete on the site but I couldn't tell if the nasty stuff is still there.
September 7, 20213 yr Local developer plans $11M townhome project in Merion Village Bonnie Meibers - Columbus Business First - Sep. 7, 2021 "Columbus-based Kreais Companies wants to build 20 townhomes in a new Merion Village development. Aaron Kreais, principal with the firm, estimates the project will cost between $10 million and $11 million. ... The Southside Area Commission approved the project proposal in July. The Merion Village Civic Association also approved the project." Here is a site plan via the rezoning application: The townhome development will be on a surface parking lot between Frebis and Moler, just north of the Parsons avenue Kroger
September 7, 20213 yr ^When I lived in Merion Village, I always wondered what the story was on that site. It had no apparent function. Local kids had concreted parking curbs together to create a skateboard feature.
September 14, 20213 yr On 9/7/2021 at 2:29 PM, NorthShore647 said: Local developer plans $11M townhome project in Merion Village Bonnie Meibers - Columbus Business First - Sep. 7, 2021 "Columbus-based Kreais Companies wants to build 20 townhomes in a new Merion Village development. Aaron Kreais, principal with the firm, estimates the project will cost between $10 million and $11 million. ... The Southside Area Commission approved the project proposal in July. The Merion Village Civic Association also approved the project." Here is a site plan via the rezoning application: Scaled-Down Merion Village Project Lands Approval Brent Warren - Columbus Underground - Sep. 14, 2021 "A plan to build a three-story townhouse development in Merion Village got a vote of approval from the Development Commission last week. ... Kreais said that he hopes to break ground on the project next spring. The three-bedroom townhomes will be offered for sale, but prices have not yet been set."
September 14, 20213 yr 19 minutes ago, NorthShore647 said: Scaled-Down Merion Village Project Lands Approval Brent Warren - Columbus Underground - Sep. 14, 2021 "A plan to build a three-story townhouse development in Merion Village got a vote of approval from the Development Commission last week. ... Kreais said that he hopes to break ground on the project next spring. The three-bedroom townhomes will be offered for sale, but prices have not yet been set." Sad it was scaled down, but any infill is good. Hopefully here soon, the commissions have less say in density of projects.
September 14, 20213 yr 53 minutes ago, VintageLife said: Sad it was scaled down, but any infill is good. Hopefully here soon, the commissions have less say in density of projects. well the plan that we knew of got approved-the 20 townhomes. The scaled down part was an original proposal for 99 apartments in a 5 story building. Not to be a whalewatcher and all, but that is kind of alot in that fairly small space surrounded closely by 2 story homes-even though it is right by the Kroger. The townhomes are a good tradeoff. They should try for somewhere nearby along Parsons itself for the five story 99 unit thing though. Edited September 14, 20213 yr by Toddguy
September 14, 20213 yr 17 minutes ago, Toddguy said: well the plan that we knew of got approved-the 20 townhomes. The scaled down part was an original proposal for 99 apartments in a 5 story building. Not to be a whalewatcher and all, but that is kind of alot in that fairly small space surrounded closely by 2 story homes-even though it is right by the Kroger. The townhomes are a good tradeoff. They should try for somewhere nearby along Parsons itself for the five story 99 unit thing though. The article also has a brief mention of the developer’s other project on Whittier, which was also intended to include some housing, but was also met with a lot of resident push back and the residential portion was completely cut. I’m a bit torn, honestly, because I think residents should have a say in what happens in their community, but I also don’t think that it should be used to keep people out either. Idk. But very much yes to the part I bolded. There’s so many/much vacant land and buildings along the stretch of Parsons between Livingston and Thurman that it’s just ripe for more dense development.
September 14, 20213 yr 27 minutes ago, Toddguy said: well the plan that we knew of got approved-the 20 townhomes. The scaled down part was an original proposal for 99 apartments in a 5 story building. Not to be a whalewatcher and all, but that is kind of alot in that fairly small space surrounded closely by 2 story homes-even though it is right by the Kroger. I don't see why? In lots of cities large apartment buildings next to 2 story homes is completely normal. Go to NYC, Philly, DC, Boston, Chicago, etc. and you see this in lots of neighborhoods.
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