Kind of seems like Hilliard city council might have some other reasons in mind for not approving this….

5 hours ago, VintageLife said:

"I've been doing this for 20-some years, I have never seen the city ... playing developer, picking and choosing, floor by floor, what should be allowed," Miller said, adding the city is "insisting blindly upon office uses that are dead" in a post-pandemic market.

 

Yeah, that seems...off.

We might have a situation in the not too distant future where projects are getting rejected because "we don't want that here" and that'll be accepted as a valid reason for disapproval. 

Noor Islamic Cultural Center officials push back at Hilliard after city rejects redevelopment proposal

 

Noor Islamic Cultural Center officials are pushing back against Hilliard after the city rejected its redevelopment project.

 

Hilliard City Council last week voted against a concept plan and associated zoning changes for the property at 5550 Britton Pkwy. The Muslim community group acquired the former BMW Financial Services building for an undisclosed sum, Columbus Business First reported in March.

 

Noor's proposal for the 226,000-square-foot building includes a private school; worship center; STEM business incubator; daycare center; event center; retail and personal services; and a fitness center. A portion of the building, it said, will be reserved for medical and general offices.

 

"You're going to drive us to litigation," Noor Chairman Ronney Abaza told council members and city staff at the Nov. 12 council meeting.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/11/20/noor-islamic-cultural-center-city-of-hilliard.html

 

26 minutes ago, ColDayMan said:

Noor Islamic Cultural Center officials push back at Hilliard after city rejects redevelopment proposal

 

Noor Islamic Cultural Center officials are pushing back against Hilliard after the city rejected its redevelopment project.

 

Hilliard City Council last week voted against a concept plan and associated zoning changes for the property at 5550 Britton Pkwy. The Muslim community group acquired the former BMW Financial Services building for an undisclosed sum, Columbus Business First reported in March.

 

Noor's proposal for the 226,000-square-foot building includes a private school; worship center; STEM business incubator; daycare center; event center; retail and personal services; and a fitness center. A portion of the building, it said, will be reserved for medical and general offices.

 

"You're going to drive us to litigation," Noor Chairman Ronney Abaza told council members and city staff at the Nov. 12 council meeting.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/11/20/noor-islamic-cultural-center-city-of-hilliard.html

 

The response from the council is a joke. If this was a huge draw for business, someone would have bought it before the current owner. 

23 hours ago, VintageLife said:

The response from the council is a joke. If this was a huge draw for business, someone would have bought it before the current owner. 

I really hope they don't need to, but I have to imagine this would be a slam dunk for Noor in court if they do have to sue or whatever the proper legal term is.

Noor Islamic Cultural Center takes legal action against Hilliard over rejected redevelopment proposal

 

Noor Islamic Cultural Center has filed legal action against the city of Hilliard for rejecting its project proposal.

 

Attorneys for the Muslim cultural group submitted an appeal with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas this month, listing the city, Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall and Hilliard City Council, which denied Noor's redevelopment proposal for the former office building it owns at 5550 Britton Pkwy., as defendants in the case.

 

Joseph Miller of Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease and Nathan Painter of Painter & Associates are representing Noor.

 

Court documents do not list an attorney of record for Hilliard, but Thad Boggs is the city's law director.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/12/19/noor-islamic-cultural-center-hilliard-court-appeal.html

 

 

Had a chance to take a quick stroll through the TruePointe project recently during a light mist just before dark 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The garage is huge!

The garage probably costs more than the rest of the development. 

23 hours ago, KyleofColumbus said:

The garage probably costs more than the rest of the development. 

The prefab one? Maybe not.

 

 

 

Anyone else just gotten tired of these Bridge Park rip-off developments that have basic architecture, poor activation, and feel/look dead? This place just doesn't look that appealing to live in at all - especially with the highway and no clear effort to mitigate the noise or screen it.

Drive-to urbanism in action. 

13 minutes ago, columbus17 said:

Anyone else just gotten tired of these Bridge Park rip-off developments that have basic architecture, poor activation, and feel/look dead? This place just doesn't look that appealing to live in at all - especially with the highway and no clear effort to mitigate the noise or screen it.

Locating dense housing near highways is just insane. There are so many studies to prove how unhealthy this is, I was just watching City Nerds new weekly video on YouTube and it's on this exact subject.

8 minutes ago, TIm said:

Locating dense housing near highways is just insane. There are so many studies to prove how unhealthy this is, I was just watching City Nerds new weekly video on YouTube and it's on this exact subject.

Highways should be heavier commercial or industrial - it makes sense logistically. 

Has this been posted? 
 

 

Flurry of new tenant announcements expected in coming months for Hilliard's TruePointe development

 

Despite not winning a $12 million state tax credit, Hilliard's TruePointe development continues to sign new tenants as construction progresses.

 

TruePointe developer Equity is nearing completion of two parking garages and has started interior work on Advanced Drainage Systems' new headquarters and Brick House Blue's coworking space, which will be located in the same building.

 

Construction also is underway on a 360-unit apartment complex that is expected to be complete in the summer or fall.

 

A pair of retail buildings are set to break ground within the next two months, followed by a Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel. Two other retail buildings will begin development after the first ones commence. The retail structures and hotel all are expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2026.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/02/06/equity-truepointe-hilliard-construction-tenants.html

 

1 hour ago, ColDayMan said:

Flurry of new tenant announcements expected in coming months for Hilliard's TruePointe development

 

Despite not winning a $12 million state tax credit, Hilliard's TruePointe development continues to sign new tenants as construction progresses.

 

TruePointe developer Equity is nearing completion of two parking garages and has started interior work on Advanced Drainage Systems' new headquarters and Brick House Blue's coworking space, which will be located in the same building.

 

Construction also is underway on a 360-unit apartment complex that is expected to be complete in the summer or fall.

 

A pair of retail buildings are set to break ground within the next two months, followed by a Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel. Two other retail buildings will begin development after the first ones commence. The retail structures and hotel all are expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2026.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/02/06/equity-truepointe-hilliard-construction-tenants.html

 

This development is right on the edge of being good. It is still better than the majority of suburban design, but is far from great. Good on them doing something though. 

2 hours ago, VintageLife said:

This development is right on the edge of being good. It is still better than the majority of suburban design, but is far from great. Good on them doing something though. 

That corridor from Tuttle to Target is fairly dense though for suburban development. It’s also pretty diverse since they’ve added some light commercial/industrial at Davidson & Trueman/Edwards Farms.

 

Got a few looks from TruePointe on Trueman Blvd a few hours ago while on the west side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a few from various spots along Lyman Drive, on the other side of 270

 

 

 

 

Just saw this article Large Hilliard development closes in on completion from NBC4 and found this part hilarious: 

 

“You think of Bridgepark, Easton or even Short North, one of the reasons those areas are so successful is because you have all of the amenities without needing to get in a car,” Hilliard Economic Development Director David Meadows said. 
 

how can they be that clueless about this project? It compares to bridge park only by being a new development in a suburb. It’s extremely car focused and is barely a true mixed use development. 

49 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

Just saw this article Large Hilliard development closes in on completion from NBC4 and found this part hilarious: 

 

“You think of Bridgepark, Easton or even Short North, one of the reasons those areas are so successful is because you have all of the amenities without needing to get in a car,” Hilliard Economic Development Director David Meadows said. 
 

how can they be that clueless about this project? It compares to bridge park only by being a new development in a suburb. It’s extremely car focused and is barely a true mixed use development. 

It's abysmal. And Bridge Park is not a destination like Easton - it has good qualities and is much better than what was there, but Crawford Hoying sucks at property management compared to Steiner. Easton is a top-10 destination IN THE COUNTRY, not comparable. It looks horrible every time I drive by it - lifeless with no character. It's like Temu gravity.

13 hours ago, VintageLife said:

Just saw this article Large Hilliard development closes in on completion from NBC4 and found this part hilarious: 

 

“You think of Bridgepark, Easton or even Short North, one of the reasons those areas are so successful is because you have all of the amenities without needing to get in a car,” Hilliard Economic Development Director David Meadows said. 
 

how can they be that clueless about this project? It compares to bridge park only by being a new development in a suburb. It’s extremely car focused and is barely a true mixed use development. 

It's also nowhere near "completion."

On 3/18/2025 at 10:33 PM, columbus17 said:

It's abysmal. And Bridge Park is not a destination like Easton - it has good qualities and is much better than what was there, but Crawford Hoying sucks at property management compared to Steiner. Easton is a top-10 destination IN THE COUNTRY, not comparable. It looks horrible every time I drive by it - lifeless with no character. It's like Temu gravity.

Since when is Bridge Park NOT a destination? People go over there all the time to hangout. It's an excellent place to go grab food and walk around to enjoy the environment plus you can walk across the bridge to Old Dublin. It's just a very different type of destination compared to Easton. You go to Easton to shop, you go to Bridge Park to more so recreate.

On 3/18/2025 at 10:33 PM, columbus17 said:

It's abysmal. And Bridge Park is not a destination like Easton - it has good qualities and is much better than what was there, but Crawford Hoying sucks at property management compared to Steiner. Easton is a top-10 destination IN THE COUNTRY, not comparable. It looks horrible every time I drive by it - lifeless with no character. It's like Temu gravity.

Wowza that's a hot take. Bridge Park is really well done, we've gone to grab lunch, walk across to the library, walk over to Jeni's, and then walk back across to let the kiddo play in the fountain before leaving. The only thing I wouldn't do there is shop, like I would at Easton. If Easton is a top 10 destination "IN THE COUNTRY" does it slot in right behind Yellowstone, but just ahead of the Statue of Liberty? 

 

True Pointe is OK for what is, it's way better than Hamilton Quarter, probably better than Grandview Yard for variety,  but it's no Bridge Park or Easton. That said it's infinitely better than a big box or strip mall so kudos to them for trying something. 

1 hour ago, 17thState said:

Wowza that's a hot take. Bridge Park is really well done, we've gone to grab lunch, walk across to the library, walk over to Jeni's, and then walk back across to let the kiddo play in the fountain before leaving. The only thing I wouldn't do there is shop, like I would at Easton. If Easton is a top 10 destination "IN THE COUNTRY" does it slot in right behind Yellowstone, but just ahead of the Statue of Liberty? 

 

True Pointe is OK for what is, it's way better than Hamilton Quarter, probably better than Grandview Yard for variety,  but it's no Bridge Park or Easton. That said it's infinitely better than a big box or strip mall so kudos to them for trying something. 

No, its something that's you go to 2-3 spots for for the day and leave. It's not a destination and never will be - its a draw for neighboring suburbs but nothing more. Easton people literally travel to Columbus to come to. Also, the last sentence is about TruPoint, not Bridge Park - should've written that out better. Bridge Park is nice, but its overhyped compared to other urban experiences in our region.

6 minutes ago, columbus17 said:

No, its something that's you go to 2-3 spots for for the day and leave. It's not a destination and never will be - its a draw for neighboring suburbs but nothing more. Easton people literally travel to Columbus to come to. Also, the last sentence is about TruPoint, not Bridge Park - should've written that out better. Bridge Park is nice, but its overhyped compared to other urban experiences in our region.

Who comes to Columbus soecifically to go to Easton? Aside from people in surrounding areas like Zanesville? When people come to Columbus they often stop by Easton, that is correct, but nobody is coming here just to go to Easton. 

Definitely know people who will come from neighboring states to go to Easton. 

1 hour ago, amped91 said:

Definitely know people who will come from neighboring states to go to Easton. 

I have several friends/ family who will drive up from southern Ohio and West Virginia to make a weekend out of Easton. I guess when most of us live 10 to 20 minutes from good shopping we take that for granite. 

3 hours ago, sono4315 said:

I have several friends/ family who will drive up from southern Ohio and West Virginia to make a weekend out of Easton. I guess when most of us live 10 to 20 minutes from good shopping we take that for granite. 

Well we shouldn't, nothing's ever set in stone. I mean look at city center...

22 hours ago, columbus17 said:

No, its something that's you go to 2-3 spots for for the day and leave. It's not a destination and never will be - its a draw for neighboring suburbs but nothing more. Easton people literally travel to Columbus to come to. Also, the last sentence is about TruPoint, not Bridge Park - should've written that out better. Bridge Park is nice, but its overhyped compared to other urban experiences in our region.

In what world is going to 2-3 spots in a single place NOT make it a destination? You're literally the only person with this opinion, can add it to your long list of opinions nobody else agrees with.

22 hours ago, cbussoccer said:

Who comes to Columbus soecifically to go to Easton? Aside from people in surrounding areas like Zanesville? When people come to Columbus they often stop by Easton, that is correct, but nobody is coming here just to go to Easton. 

Easton has a lot of high end shopping you can't find outside of a city and not in every city. People are absolutely coming here and making a visit to Easton part of their trip.

14 minutes ago, TIm said:

Easton has a lot of high end shopping you can't find outside of a city and not in every city. People are absolutely coming here and making a visit to Easton part of their trip.

 

Right. People from rural Ohio certainly come into Columbus specifically to go to Easton. It's just a day trip for them though. We might even pull in some people from WV as well.

 

But aside from that, we aren't pulling in too many people from other states who come here specifically and only to visit Easton. If you are in PA, you'll go to Pittsburgh or Cleveland before coming here if you need some higher end shopping. If you are in Kentucky, you'll stop in Cincy or head up to Indy. If you are in Indiana, you'll go to Indy or Chicago. 

 

With that said, Easton is typically one of the go-to spots for people who are visiting the city. That's definitely true. 

It was actually kind of frustrating in college going to school with a lot of Appalachian students as someone from Columbus and having the same conversation over and over about how expensive Columbus was to live in but how nice the malls were (this was 20-25 years ago it wasn't just Polaris and Easton in the conversation). People down there were so used to $50,000 houses and 90 cent drafts that a COL Index 100 Columbus was seen as a big expense. But that didn't keeo Charlotte, Research Triangle and D.C. out of play.

 

But also the NW Ohio students said the same thing about Columbus. Mall mall mall.

In some way you're glad to see attention taken away from malls so that people have to pay attention to our real assets instead of just making a beeline for the mall when they are here.

 

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/

 

11 hours ago, Luvcbus said:

 

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/

 

 

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/

 

M/I Homes project approved by city of Hilliard despite some resident opposition

 

A Hilliard residential project that triggered a flurry of public input is forging ahead.

 

Hilliard City Council this week approved a rezoning request and development agreement with homebuilder M/I Homes for its Hill Farm II subdivision near the intersection of Elliott and Scioto Darby Creek roads.

 

The development includes 300 single-family homes and 186 acres of open space across a nearly 266-acre site. A total of 177 lots will be located on the east side of Elliott Road and an additional 123 lots will wrap around the former Sid Griffith equestrian facility on the west side.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/03/27/hill-farm-ii-housing-mi-homes-hilliard.html

 

See the latest progress on Hilliard's $282M TruePointe development

 

Construction continues to progress on Hilliard's TruePointe development, with the first commercial building wrapping up this year and the entire project expected to be complete in early 2026.

 

The $282 million mixed-use development, located at 4457 Trueman Blvd. on the east side of Hilliard, will have multifamily residential, medical office, hospitality and retail/restaurant spaces. It also will establish new public gathering spaces and parks. The site encompasses 27 acres.

 

The anchor tenant, Advanced Drainage Systems, will establish its new headquarters at TruePointe. The 100,000-square-foot building is finishing construction and will be move-in ready later this year, according to officials from Equity, the project's developer. Advanced Drainage Systems will occupy the majority of the three-story building.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/03/28/truepointe-hilliard-mixed-use-development-equity.html

 

I'm disappointed I didn't photobomb in at least one of those pics... karma for being at the start of the line I guess haha

First TruePointe Apartments Nearing Completion in Hilliard

The transformation of a 27-acre, outerbelt-adjacent office park into a mixed-use development continues in Hilliard, with the first apartments scheduled to open later this summer. Soon after, the renovation of the original office building should be complete, allowing Kenneth’s Hair Salons and Day Spas to move into the space.

The third major element to be completed will be a new 100,000-square-foot office building that will hold the national headquarters of Advance Drainage Systems (ADS), which is currently located across Trueman Boulevard from the site.

Faye Bodyke, Senior Vice President, Equity Construction Solutions (ECS), said that the new office building is on track for a September completion.

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/first-truepointe-apartments-nearing-completion-in-hilliard-bw1/