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Just saw an article that said the Mid Ohio Food Collective purchased the old Kroger building at Hamilton and Refugee road, so that will be a big help to the area also. Hopefully they develop the area properly. 

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1 hour ago, VintageLife said:

Just saw an article that said the Mid Ohio Food Collective purchased the old Kroger building at Hamilton and Refugee road, so that will be a big help to the area also. Hopefully they develop the area properly. 

Sounds like a positive thing for the neighborhood. Here’s a story from the Dispatch on that:

 

Mid-Ohio Food Collective purchases old Kroger to create social services hub
 

“The Mid-Ohio Food Collective is turning a former Kroger store into a hub to offer food, social services and other support to people on Columbus' Southeast Side.

 

The former grocery story, at 4485 Refugee Road, measures 67,000 square feet, according to the food collective. That space will be used as an anti-hunger service hub, detailed plans of which are not yet complete.

 

“It’s a lot of space with a lot of raw potential,” said Mid-Ohio Food Collective President and CEO Matt Habash, in a statement. “This is a chance to learn from the nearby community, respond to their needs and build something that can help tackle the interconnected causes of hunger on a scale Columbus has never seen before.”


 

The collective plans to work with community partners and do outreach to discover what services are most necessary in that part of town, according to the collective. Those could include health services, public benefits help, a commercial kitchen and more.“

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2023/03/07/mid-ohio-food-collective-purchases-former-refugee-road-kroger-to-create-social-service-hub/69980514007/

I don't know when that Kroger closed. It used to be one of the best performers when I was a kid. I think the idea was that since the Groveport one opened, the Refugee/Chatterton connector happened with the Brice Kroger moving to Gender and Refugee plus the ongoing existence of the one at Main and Hamilton that people could disperse to those. I'm not 100% sold on that so to have food available in that space again is important. 

On 9/15/2020 at 5:03 PM, ColDayMan said:

Fort Rapids suitor: 'No point in having vacant buildings when there’s a housing crisis'

 

Here's more about the national ambitions of the developer seeking to remake vacant Fort Rapids into affordable housing without the use of government tax credits.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/09/15/more-on-repvblik-developer-with-fort-rapids-plan.html

 

fort-rapids-drone-water-slides*1024xx300

In a surprise to no one:

 

How a developer’s plan to transform the former Fort Rapids waterpark resort could collapse

 

“A developer wants to turn the former Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort on the east side of Columbus into micro-apartments for workforce housing. But the project may never happen.

 

California real estate investor Maxwell Drever offered to buy the dilapidated 12-story hotel and waterpark in 2021, about five years after the City of Columbus ordered the resort to close after a history of health and safety complaints. The resort, located at 4560 Hilton Corporate Drive, hasn’t reopened.

 

Drever’s dream to revamp the lifeless hotel could be shattered by the building’s current owner, Jeff Oh Kern, whose unrelenting failure to clean up the security-less, 16-acre site has left developers, the City of Columbus, a real estate agent, and other stakeholders embattled in Franklin County courtrooms for three years and counting. 

 

“We’re fearful it’s going to be condemned and knocked down,” Drever, 82, said.”

 

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/how-a-developers-plan-to-transform-the-former-fort-rapids-waterpark-resort-could-collapse/?fbclid=IwAR2faVQvkKAlGesiCiRb1nOVlEoO3-slRlWep6yoF4IU1ah79NqIlqcinIY

34 minutes ago, amped91 said:

In a surprise to no one:

 

How a developer’s plan to transform the former Fort Rapids waterpark resort could collapse

 

“A developer wants to turn the former Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort on the east side of Columbus into micro-apartments for workforce housing. But the project may never happen.

 

California real estate investor Maxwell Drever offered to buy the dilapidated 12-story hotel and waterpark in 2021, about five years after the City of Columbus ordered the resort to close after a history of health and safety complaints. The resort, located at 4560 Hilton Corporate Drive, hasn’t reopened.

 

Drever’s dream to revamp the lifeless hotel could be shattered by the building’s current owner, Jeff Oh Kern, whose unrelenting failure to clean up the security-less, 16-acre site has left developers, the City of Columbus, a real estate agent, and other stakeholders embattled in Franklin County courtrooms for three years and counting. 

 

“We’re fearful it’s going to be condemned and knocked down,” Drever, 82, said.”

 

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/how-a-developers-plan-to-transform-the-former-fort-rapids-waterpark-resort-could-collapse/?fbclid=IwAR2faVQvkKAlGesiCiRb1nOVlEoO3-slRlWep6yoF4IU1ah79NqIlqcinIY

If this happens, they absolutely need to keep a slide open that you can slide down to the parking lot.

  • 3 weeks later...

 

Some pedestrian related upgrades continue in the Eastland area...

 

Sidewalks are being built on the south side of Refugee Rd from near Winchester Pike to Hamilton Rd

 

IMG_20230330_123920_5.thumb.jpg.46ed8e7ca7bf8e636d97d6fd5d5829bc.jpg

 

Work has also started on shared-use paths on the north side of Refugee Rd 

 

IMG_20230330_124124_9.thumb.jpg.bc218f970deb3af680816d4f6fee96ea.jpg

 

And along S Hamilton Rd, concrete work has started on the shared-use paths on the west side of the road

 

IMG_20230330_123604_0.thumb.jpg.0c208cb271b666c1af3a07dec5174c33.jpg

 

IMG_20230330_123553_0.thumb.jpg.424834dac27db9fb9a61d5244c74e627.jpg

 

New sidewalks on the east side of Hamilton Rd from near Refugee Rd to near Groves Rd were completed a couple months ago.

 

  • 1 month later...

 

Work continues on the shared-use paths being added along the north side of Refugee Rd 

 

IMG_20230506_125227_0.thumb.jpg.c8250a23804db6f4506daa7aefe5fac1.jpg

 

43 minutes ago, CbusOrBust said:

 

Work continues on the shared-use paths being added along the north side of Refugee Rd 

 

IMG_20230506_125227_0.thumb.jpg.c8250a23804db6f4506daa7aefe5fac1.jpg

 

I believe you mean "leisure trails." Or are those only for the suburbs? 😉

53 minutes ago, CbusOrBust said:

 

Work continues on the shared-use paths being added along the north side of Refugee Rd 

 

IMG_20230506_125227_0.thumb.jpg.c8250a23804db6f4506daa7aefe5fac1.jpg

 

I love protected bike lanes but shared use paths seem to work so well. 

On 5/6/2023 at 12:35 PM, VintageLife said:

I love protected bike lanes but shared use paths seem to work so well. 

 

They're fine, but what's the actual cost to build them vs. just putting up a barrier on existing roadways? I kind of feel like this is meant to just avoid inconveniencing car dominance. 

45 minutes ago, jonoh81 said:

 

They're fine, but what's the actual cost to build them vs. just putting up a barrier on existing roadways? I kind of feel like this is meant to just avoid inconveniencing car dominance. 

You’re correct, and it is 100% to avoid hurting cars. I guess I’m these bigger strode areas, I would feel safer on a mixed use path even if I had a barrier on the road. 
 

I think they are adding mixed use paths along hudson in linden and that is 100% to avoid hurting traffic. I think within the city, they should use protected bike lanes. Seems the city is trying its hardest to avoid that. 

9 hours ago, VintageLife said:

You’re correct, and it is 100% to avoid hurting cars. I guess I’m these bigger strode areas, I would feel safer on a mixed use path even if I had a barrier on the road. 
 

I think they are adding mixed use paths along hudson in linden and that is 100% to avoid hurting traffic. I think within the city, they should use protected bike lanes. Seems the city is trying its hardest to avoid that. 

I don't bike but seeing the unprotected bike lanes on Columbus city streets I would never feel safe on them.

12 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

I don't bike but seeing the unprotected bike lanes on Columbus city streets I would never feel safe on them.

There is a reason the bike trails here are so popular! People like knowing they won't get ran over by a car.

10 hours ago, VintageLife said:

You’re correct, and it is 100% to avoid hurting cars. I guess I’m these bigger strode areas, I would feel safer on a mixed use path even if I had a barrier on the road. 
 

I think they are adding mixed use paths along hudson in linden and that is 100% to avoid hurting traffic. I think within the city, they should use protected bike lanes. Seems the city is trying its hardest to avoid that. 

 

I would personally much rather see stroads get rebuilt because they are not safe for any users, including drivers. Beyond that, though, I feel like roadways already exist and everyone has to pay for them, but only drivers are given any incentive to use them. Multi-use paths are good in areas where roadways don't exist or for recreational options like the Scioto and Olentangy trails- especially since bike paths on streets aren't meant for joggers and walkers- so I'm not against them in any way. But we should be using existing roads to add protected bike lanes pretty much everywhere as part of an overall redesign of local roads. It's pretty clear the City believes that multi-use paths are a workaround to better streets, though.

1 hour ago, jonoh81 said:

 

I would personally much rather see stroads get rebuilt because they are not safe for any users, including drivers. Beyond that, though, I feel like roadways already exist and everyone has to pay for them, but only drivers are given any incentive to use them. Multi-use paths are good in areas where roadways don't exist or for recreational options like the Scioto and Olentangy trails- especially since bike paths on streets aren't meant for joggers and walkers- so I'm not against them in any way. But we should be using existing roads to add protected bike lanes pretty much everywhere as part of an overall redesign of local roads. It's pretty clear the City believes that multi-use paths are a workaround to better streets, though.

Best bet would be the multi use increasing ridership of bikes and those people pushing for more and better on road protected lanes. Who knows if that will ever happen, but hopefully. 

On shared-use paths vs. protected bike lanes vs. sidewalks it can be situational. The question is what is the user mix and the volume of those users. Also the speed of the car traffic. Here on Refugee the volume of all path users is low and the road is very high speed so shared-use path set back as far as possible from the road is desirable and what we got. The more pedestrian traffic the more you want to separate users to keep bikes and pedestrians from entering into conflict. Since the road speed is high mere curbing for protection isn't enough and you would want to see a large berth between the road and bike lane but you wouldn't have to have the bike lane that far from the sidewalk.

  • 2 weeks later...

Not sure if this is exactly the correct thread for this one, but it looks close to Eastland; it’s in the jurisdiction of the Mideast Area Commission. Located at 2677 Weyburn Road, 148 units proposed on currently vacant land. 
 

IMG_4463.thumb.jpeg.8ba5abf347603c0a3fc89b4b0c9a31f3.jpeg

And half a mile up the road, the developer is proposing another suburban style multi family that would contain 112 units located at 2480 Forest Green Court, also on mostly vacant land. This replaces a proposal from a couple years ago to build <50 townhomes on the site. 
 

IMG_4464.thumb.jpeg.31c74e811e049c395758035a13076c21.jpeg

Glad to see multi-story residential uses for land in this area. Though, similar to the proposal off East 5th, it's a shame that surface parking is so prominent in this proposal. I wonder what's the problem with consolidating and masking the parking behind the proposed structures and making access to Refugee and the existing bus infrastructure more inviting?

The standard for complexes on large plots used to be -- for a very long time -- two stories but now it is three. Now we are starting to see more fours.

  • 1 month later...

“In other action Monday, the council approved an $849,600 contract with MKSK, a local landscape architectural firm, to create a community plan for the Eastland area with community engagement and input. The plan, which includes the area where Eastland Mall closed late last year, will be similar to other city plans developed for Linden and Hilltop neighborhoods, saidCarla Williams-Scott, director of the city Department of Neighborhoods.

 

“This is a long time coming and we’re very excited,” Williams-Scott said, adding that MKSK won the bid out of 13 organizations.

 

Council member Lourdes Barroso De Padilla said there will be more funding to come for the project, and this amount is just the initial phase.“

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/06/27/rezoning-rejection-for-apartment-complex-on-mcnaughten-road-and-other-columbus-city-council-action/70359438007/

City begins work on plan to redevelop, energize Eastland Mall area
 

IMG_4633.jpeg.2af4e7c3d78a9dfe82b2b1efa036ad17.jpeg

 

“On Monday, Columbus City Council approved an $849,600 contract with the Columbus landscape architectural and urban design company MKSK to develop a comprehensive plan for the mall and surrounding land, a process that could take up to 18 months.
 

Andrew Overbeck, principal with MKSK, said his company will be listening a lot when talking with community leaders and residents about what they'd like to see. Community conversations will start in the fall.

 

"We’re going to do a lot of one-on-one, do a lot of group conversations," Overbeck said. "This is not a mall plan. This is a community plan."

 

Part of the work that will be done includes a market study, Overbeck said. He said a goal is making the area what he calls a "15-minute neighborhood," an urban planning concept where jobs, groceries, retail, health care, schools, and other necessities are all within a 15-minute walk of each other.“


https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2023/06/29/what-would-you-like-to-see-in-eastland-mall-area-city-starts-planning/70356305007/

17 hours ago, amped91 said:

"15-minute neighborhood," an urban planning concept where jobs, groceries, retail, health care, schools, and other necessities are all within a 15-minute walk of each other.“

 

Sounds like creeping socialism and urban incarceration to me. Better not be caught outside your District.... *sarcasm*

 

Actually, I live in a 15 minute area for most of my services and it's great. I do have to drive to reach some services. But we're communists here in South Clintonville....🤪

17 hours ago, amped91 said:

“On Monday, Columbus City Council approved an $849,600 contract with the Columbus landscape architectural and urban design company MKSK to develop a comprehensive plan for the mall and surrounding land, a process that could take up to 18 months.


I like how The Far East Commission includes a section of Noe Bixby that is not at all physically connected to the Scarborough area. Unless...does this mean...?!

2 hours ago, Pablo said:

 

Sounds like creeping socialism and urban incarceration to me. Better not be caught outside your District.... *sarcasm*

 

Actually, I live in a 15 minute area for most of my services and it's great. I do have to drive to reach some services. But we're communists here in South Clintonville....🤪

Must be pretty close to being neighbors. We are glen echo area and are pretty much a 15 minute walk to anything. It’s super nice and I don’t understand how people wouldn’t want it. 

On 6/30/2023 at 11:23 AM, VintageLife said:

Must be pretty close to being neighbors. We are glen echo area and are pretty much a 15 minute walk to anything. It’s super nice and I don’t understand how people wouldn’t want it. 

I think we are! I love being walking distance from a bunch of stuff, 2 groceries (3 if I'm feeling adventurous) and restaurants. Laziness on my part has me driving. Even though I don't spend a lot of time in them, I'm within walking distance of 4 record stores: RPM, Used Kids, Lost Weekend and Elizabeth. There might be one more that I'm forgetting.

13 minutes ago, Pablo said:

I think we are! I love being walking distance from a bunch of stuff, 2 groceries (3 if I'm feeling adventurous) and restaurants. Laziness on my part has me driving. Even though I don't spend a lot of time in them, I'm within walking distance of 4 record stores: RPM, Used Kids, Lost Weekend and Elizabeth. There might be one more that I'm forgetting.

Yep, we are really close to the same area. All that stuff we can walk to very easily. Love the area and try to walk as much as possible. I sweat really bad and overheat so I enjoy fall and winter walking more. 

  • 3 months later...

 

The shared-use paths along the north side of Refugee Rd are open!

 

IMG_20231009_141230_8.thumb.jpg.417144f83fe6c30604308f0db8ff556b.jpg

 

  • 3 months later...

New Park Slated Near Eastland Mall Site, Community Input Coming Soon 

 

Residents near the Eastland Mall area have been eager for greenspace for quite some time, and their voices have been heard. With plans for a new park now in place, residents will get to weigh in on the details.

 

The unnamed 78-acre park, running along a tributary of Big Walnut Creek, will offer access to trails, natural areas, as well as spaces for playgrounds and sports.

 

In 2020, the Recreation and Parks Department received a $1 million grant from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund to help buy the acreage. In 2021, City Council approved $1.5 million from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund to cover the total cost of the land. Moving forward, the Department will look to secure additional funds for development from both public and private sources. Negotiations are ongoing.

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/new-park-slated-near-eastland-mall-site-community-input-coming-soon-ca1/

 

EastlandPark-1536x845.jpg

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

Nobody asked, but I think they should put a disc golf course in there. Connect me with the right people and I'll go plan it out for free!

  • 1 month later...

 

Dirt finally moving again at Vista Village, the tiny home development along Soldier St, near the corner of Refugee and Courtright Roads 

 

IMG_20240326_155454_8.thumb.jpg.90cd5ee1bbad9e9db32dc968c756db3b.jpg

 

IMG_20240326_155439_0.thumb.jpg.8d2b943dfb920b1414d39c2f38466ddc.jpg

 

IMG_20240326_155448_2.thumb.jpg.ea521c597613077e47093fb7c4e42331.jpg

 

image.png.b9a850cb6adb9603d30d6289eca8b626.png

 

  • 2 months later...
On 3/26/2024 at 7:41 PM, CbusOrBust said:

 

Dirt finally moving again at Vista Village, the tiny home development along Soldier St, near the corner of Refugee and Courtright Roads 

 

IMG_20240326_155454_8.thumb.jpg.90cd5ee1bbad9e9db32dc968c756db3b.jpg

 

IMG_20240326_155439_0.thumb.jpg.8d2b943dfb920b1414d39c2f38466ddc.jpg

 

IMG_20240326_155448_2.thumb.jpg.ea521c597613077e47093fb7c4e42331.jpg

 

image.png.b9a850cb6adb9603d30d6289eca8b626.png

 

 

The Community Building along with the first tiny house are up at Vista Village along Soldier St near Refugee Rd and Courtright Rd

 

IMG_20240620_205826_7.thumb.jpg.410647beff676a662242fb6ae68461f5.jpg

 

IMG_20240620_205904_1.thumb.jpg.24dfd0ede221fe491c95685b883b836e.jpg

 

IMG_20240620_205757_9.thumb.jpg.8d07cf2d6e977aa082b0a6d82c5add18.jpg

 

1 hour ago, CbusOrBust said:

 

The Community Building along with the first tiny house are up at Vista Village along Soldier St near Refugee Rd and Courtright Rd

 

IMG_20240620_205826_7.thumb.jpg.410647beff676a662242fb6ae68461f5.jpg

 

IMG_20240620_205904_1.thumb.jpg.24dfd0ede221fe491c95685b883b836e.jpg

 

IMG_20240620_205757_9.thumb.jpg.8d07cf2d6e977aa082b0a6d82c5add18.jpg

 

Those are looking awesome. I hope this is successful and can expand. 

I remember that project stalled in like 2006.

Could Columbus' Fort Rapids be turned into affordable housing?

 

A California-based real estate developer still wants to buy and redevelop the former Fort Rapids water park and hotel.

 

Drever Capital Management made an offer on the Fort Rapids property in 2021, but the property has been entangled in several different court cases over the years.

 

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein ruled last week that the current owner, Jeff Kern, is in contempt of court.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/06/24/fort-rapids.html

 

fort-rapids-drone-water-slides.jpg

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

  • 4 weeks later...

Columbus State Community College embarks on $20M project to fill workforce needs

 

Columbus State Community College will once again make strides to fulfill a community need by creating a $20 million Career Development Center in southeast Columbus.

 

The college is in contract to purchase 37 acres near the intersection of Refugee Road and Winchester Pike from First Church of God for $2.2 million, where it will create a center to train students in construction trades and first response careers.

 

The deal, paid for by 2020 bond proceeds, is contingent on the rezoning of the property.

 

Bishop Timothy J. Clarke, First Church of God senior pastor, said in a news release that the center will create both positive momentum and economic opportunity for southeast side residents. 

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/07/23/cscc-learning-center-trades-first-responders.html

 

david-harrison-columbus-state-1-c02dp159

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

please forgive me for my broken English and run on sentencing i am high function mrdd.

reddit columbus forum is toxic and its miserable trolls and they will banned you for anything. so i thought this site would be more mature intelligent coversation where my ideas on how to improve the city would be better.



1. i live in whitehall by eastland mall. aka the suburban ghetto. lol.  by the united skates of america.

2. since east land mall shut down. and it been sold by mutiple owners and now the city has it. why are they taking so long with coming ideas of what to make it next?

here is my proposed ideas.

 

 

these ideas will be a sure bet source of income for the location.

 

option 1. scene 75 could do a far east or eastside location and make a branch here for the eastside and south side residents.




idea 2.

have about 4 big stores:



.

first location. huge sports faclity like sportsohio in dublin.

 

indoor sports all in one faclity. that has the following.

battling cages.

soccer field.

basketball shooting ranges.
 


5.flag football field.

 

second store.
 

medium size church with a small food court and community center. gurattee source of income.

loyal christians,3. church members and people will support it no matter what. and that will keep the lights on.




third store.

barcade or arcade. there is no eastside,far eastide, Whitehall,renosburg,pickerington or blacklick arcades on this side of town.

something like 16 bit arcade. or ole north arcade. retro style arcade games. with consoles games with drinks. and food.

sega, nintendo,ps1, n64, snes, gamecube,xbox, sega saturn, ps2 consoles and games. arcade emulation


3. vr fitness. and vr and ar section.


fourth store


gym.

mma boxing training and boxing ring.

race track.

vr fitness.

 

please forgive me for my broken English and run on sentencing i am high function mrdd.

reddit columbus forum is toxic and its miserable trolls and they will banned you for anything. so i thought this site would be more mature intelligent coversation where my ideas on how to improve the city would be better.



1. i live in whitehall by eastland mall. aka the suburban ghetto. lol.  by the united skates of america.

2. since east land mall shut down. and it been sold by mutiple owners and now the city has it. why are they taking so long with coming ideas of what to make it next?

here is my proposed ideas.

 

 

these ideas will be a sure bet source of income for the location.

 

 

option 1. scene 75 could do a far east or eastside location and make a branch here for the eastside and south side residents.




idea 2.

have about 4 big stores:



.

first location. huge sports faclity like sportsohio in dublin.

 

indoor sports all in one faclity. that has the following.

battling cages.

soccer field.

basketball shooting ranges.
 


5.flag football field.

 

second store.
 

medium size church with a small food court and community center.

1.gurattee source of income.

2.loyal Christians like myself

3. church members and people will support it no matter what. and that will keep the lights on.




third store.

barcade or arcade.


there is no eastside, Whitehall,renosburg,pickerington or blacklick arcades on this side of town.


 

2.something like 16 bit arcade.

3.ole north arcade. retro style arcade games. with consoles games with drinks. and food.


 

sega, nintendo,ps1, n64, snes, gamecube,xbox, sega saturn, ps2 consoles and games. arcade emulation


3. vr fitness. and vr and ar section.


fourth store


gym.


mma boxing training and boxing ring.

race track.

vr fitness.

 

Edited by ricky mc

alot of people are saying homeless shelter or mental health faclities. but i reject that idea.


2. because it will bring more crime, homeless bums, and homeless camps,thugs, nad crmiinals and mental unstable people to the area.

3. not judging but i been to north cental mental health. and north community consolur and viaquest. and the people who go there and catch the bus around there truly scared me. and frigten me and i grew up in miller and kelton and east livingston and lockboure the hood hood. lol.

5. clients with bed bugs,roaches and trash.

6.the places that the eastside locations are lacking are gyms,amusement parks and arcades and entertainment places. and another strip club or urban hip hop clubs is just going to be more violence in my opinion.

 

  • 2 months later...

 

Ruling clears way for Fort Rapids' conversion to affordable housing

 

"A proposed sale of the shuttered Fort Rapids water park and hotel to an affordable housing developer came closer to going through because of a court ruling last week.

 

California-based Drever Capital Management may close on its $6.65 million offer for the property on the far east side of Columbus following the Oct. 15 dismissal of an appeal by Jeff Oh Kern, who had unsuccessfully claimed ownership rights.

 

The sale is expected to resolve several other pending court cases in the convoluted struggle with more twists than the park's slides.

 

Maxwell Drever, chairman of Drever Capital, this year told Columbus Business First the firm specializes in transforming "broken hotels" into workforce housing.

 

"We think the building is still salvageable," he said in June. The hotel could possibly be renovated into studio apartments, and the developer would "brainstorm" uses for the water park structure.

 

Drever made its offer on Fort Rapids in 2021, but the deal has been held up by legal challenges: an earlier prospective buyer, a deed restriction, a company that bought the rights to delinquent taxes, and a fight over who actually is the current owner."

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/10/22/fort-rapids-court-ruling.html

 

17296357931111019119278499354907.jpg.4aafaf8a8e7be8844b3b6ffa94972773.jpg

 

Mid-Ohio Food Collective announces partnership with city to transform vacant Eastland shopping plaza

 

Quote

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Mid-Ohio Food Collective announced that it is partnering with the City of Columbus to transform the vacant Eastland shopping plaza into a hub providing resources for the neighborhood.

Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin announced on Wednesday that the city will invest $4 million into the Eastland Prosperity Center. The 67,000-square-foot center will offer a free food market, a community health center, city programs and other resources to residents in southeast Columbus.

https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/eastland-prosperity-center-new-human-resource-hub/530-ec85b269-bfa8-4282-a0aa-56e92d575ed0

 

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New Ideas Presented for Eastland Mall, Surrounding Area

 

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Ideas outlined in the plan range from a redevelopment strategy for the former mall site itself, to a new Bus Rapid Transit line that would run along Hamilton Road and connect up to other lines planned as part of the LinkUS initiative.


Also included is a list of projects and initiatives that are already underway that could help to revitalize the area, like the proposed Columbus State Career Development Center near the intersection of Refugee Road and Winchester Pike, and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s planned Eastland Prosperity Center at 4485 Refugee Rd.

 

The vision outlined for the Eastland Mall site shows a variety of uses, including senior housing, retail, and a mix of apartments and townhomes. At the northwest corner of the site is a large building labelled as “civic use,” which could be a library or recreation center.

Very nice. I think it's slightly strange that the best of the community seems hidden from Hamilton, Refugee and the highway, but I like how it flows into the residential and the parkspace. MUCH better to have the Veronin/Natalia Dr houses integrated into a neighborhood instead of literally being accessed off of a mall parking lot entrance.

 

Columbus firefighters continue battling fire at former Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark

 

"Columbus firefighters are battling a fire that started late Sunday at a former indoor water park site.

 

Firefighters responded to the report of a fire at 11:46 p.m. Sunday at the former Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark resort located in the 4500 block of Hilton Corporate Drive in Columbus. Crews remained at the scene as of 7 a.m.

 

Fort Rapid has three main structures, including a hotel tower, the water park's indoor portion, and a third building. It appears the fire was still smoldering Monday morning in the third, westernmost building on the site closest to Hamilton Road.

 

The building structure was damaged in the fire, and part of the building has collapsed, Geitter said. The fire occurred in a two-story tower on the property's west side."

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/fire/2024/10/28/columbus-firefighters-battle-fire-at-fort-rapids-indoor-waterpark-arson/75889954007/

 

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Edited by Luvcbus

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My hovercraft is full of eels

2 hours ago, Luvcbus said:

 

Columbus firefighters continue battling fire at former Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark

 

"Columbus firefighters are battling a fire that started late Sunday at a former indoor water park site.

 

Firefighters responded to the report of a fire at 11:46 p.m. Sunday at the former Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark resort located in the 4500 block of Hilton Corporate Drive in Columbus. Crews remained at the scene as of 7 a.m.

 

Fort Rapid has three main structures, including a hotel tower, the water park's indoor portion, and a third building. It appears the fire was still smoldering Monday morning in the third, westernmost building on the site closest to Hamilton Road.

 

The building structure was damaged in the fire, and part of the building has collapsed, Geitter said. The fire occurred in a two-story tower on the property's west side."

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/fire/2024/10/28/columbus-firefighters-battle-fire-at-fort-rapids-indoor-waterpark-arson/75889954007/

 

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Someone’s getting that extra b insurance $$$$. Now, because Columbus loves tearing stuff down, let’s hope they actually tear this down.

^It's not brand new so it has to come down or be neglected. 

3 hours ago, GCrites said:

^It's not brand new so it has to come down or be neglected. 

This is an actual building I wouldn't miss.

In this case, yes.

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