18 hours ago, VintageLife said:

They should keep it and turn it into a bar and ride. 

 

They gotta play this one

 

 

Columbus Business First has an awesome series of articles with candid quotes from developers discussing the state of development and density in the Columbus region. 

 

 

Is this where Rickenbacker area development news goes?

 

 

Columbus City Council approves tax breaks for new Coca-Cola Consolidated facility

 

"Columbus City Council on Monday approved major tax abatements for Coca-Cola Consolidated.

 

The council voted to approve a 10-year, 75% tax abatement for Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States, for an expansion of its facilities near Rickenbacker International Airport. The planned new 400,000-square-foot distribution and warehouse facility, anticipated to open in spring 2025, will be part of the Rickenbacker Industrial Center located on Rohr Road, a 230-acre master planned industrial development by Trident Capital Group and O’Connor Capital Partners. 

 

Coca-Cola Consolidated said in an announcement Tuesday that it will spend nearly $100 million to create the new three-function facility that includes warehouse and distribution, equipment services, and fleet shop for its transportation subsidiary, Red Classic Transit."

 

City Council roundup from last night can be found here:

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/07/25/council-gives-major-tax-benefits-to-coca-cola-consolidated-others/70455414007/

 

 

 

 

Edited July 25, 20231 yr by Luvcbus

1 hour ago, Luvcbus said:

Is this where Rickenbacker area development news goes?

 

Yes.

Proposal from Homestead for 192 units at 6425 Pfeifer Ash Dr:

 

On 6/26/2023 at 4:47 PM, ColDayMan said:

Greyhound Relocating Columbus Station to West Side

 

After two years of operating out of the COTA Bus Terminal at the Columbus Commons Parking Garage, Greyhound announced plans today to relocate their service to 845 N. Wilson Road on the far west side of the city.

 

“This new location will continue Greyhound’s commitment to serving our customers in Columbus and the surrounding areas,” stated Brett Gaj, Greyhound District Manager for Ohio. “With the peak travel season upon us, customers will be able to travel seamlessly throughout the region and beyond from this new station.”

 

More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/06/26/greyhound.html & 

https://columbusunderground.com/greyhound-relocating-columbus-station-to-west-side-we1/

 

What a mess:

 

Residents near new Greyhound station could get their wish

 

“After it opened last month, neighbors complainedabout suspicious activity and traffic problems. This week, the city responded by inspecting the terminal, citing the building owners for several zoning issues, including operating without a certificate of occupancy.

 

The city is now urging the terminal owners to look for a new place to call home.

 

"This site is just not suited well for what (the building owners) want to do," Columbus Building and Zoning spokesman Tony Celebrezze said. "We need a better location."

 

Building owners now have 20 days to comply and make changes or face being taken to court by the city. The sides are expected to meet next week.”

 

https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/greyhound-bus-station-columbus-ohio-west-side-wilson-road-residents-tony-celebrezze

22 minutes ago, amped91 said:

What a mess:

 

Residents near new Greyhound station could get their wish

 

“After it opened last month, neighbors complainedabout suspicious activity and traffic problems. This week, the city responded by inspecting the terminal, citing the building owners for several zoning issues, including operating without a certificate of occupancy.

 

The city is now urging the terminal owners to look for a new place to call home.

 

"This site is just not suited well for what (the building owners) want to do," Columbus Building and Zoning spokesman Tony Celebrezze said. "We need a better location."

 

Building owners now have 20 days to comply and make changes or face being taken to court by the city. The sides are expected to meet next week.”

 

https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/greyhound-bus-station-columbus-ohio-west-side-wilson-road-residents-tony-celebrezze

It’s funny because this had to be approved by the zoning board already and they approved it. So did they just not look at the site at all? Kind of sounds like someone didn’t do their job? 

10 hours ago, VintageLife said:

It’s funny because this had to be approved by the zoning board already and they approved it. So did they just not look at the site at all? Kind of sounds like someone didn’t do their job? 

 

According to NBC4, the station opened up without completing their final inspections:

 

"The Columbus Building and Zoning Department said the station is operating without a certificate of occupancy.

 

Anthony Celebrezze, with the Columbus Building and Zoning Department, said the owners submitted plans for the station in May.

They went through all the steps except completing their final inspection, which would give them that certificate.

 

NBC4 asked Celebrezze if the station was allowed to open.

 

“They were not allowed to open. You are not supposed to open until you have a certificate of occupancy,” Celebreeze said."

 

 

 

Wells Fargo plans to build technology hub in Central Ohio 

 

"Global banking giant Wells Fargo & Co., which has a minimal presence in central Ohio, is setting up a technology hub in the region that will create 585 jobs paying an average wage of $60.10 per hour.

 

The project received approval for state tax incentives at Monday's Ohio Tax Credit Authority.

 

Wells hasn't picked a site for the project yet other than saying it will be somewhere in central Ohio.

 

This will mark Wells' first major investment in the region, which is a banking and insurance hub with the headquarters of Huntington Bancshares and Nationwide here along with a host of other financial services companies. JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s McCoy Center at Polaris houses 12,000 workers.

 

At this point, economic development officials and Wells have little to say about the project.

 

"We are excited about the possibility and continue to evaluate numerous real estate options," the company said, promising to release more details in the weeks ahead."

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/economy/2023/07/31/wells-fargo-co-gets-incentives-to-create-tech-hub-in-central-ohio/70488578007/

 

 

12 minutes ago, Luvcbus said:

 

Wells Fargo plans to build technology hub in Central Ohio 

 

"Global banking giant Wells Fargo & Co., which has a minimal presence in central Ohio, is setting up a technology hub in the region that will create 585 jobs paying an average wage of $60.10 per hour.

 

The project received approval for state tax incentives at Monday's Ohio Tax Credit Authority.

 

Wells hasn't picked a site for the project yet other than saying it will be somewhere in central Ohio.

 

This will mark Wells' first major investment in the region, which is a banking and insurance hub with the headquarters of Huntington Bancshares and Nationwide here along with a host of other financial services companies. JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s McCoy Center at Polaris houses 12,000 workers.

 

At this point, economic development officials and Wells have little to say about the project.

 

"We are excited about the possibility and continue to evaluate numerous real estate options," the company said, promising to release more details in the weeks ahead."

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/economy/2023/07/31/wells-fargo-co-gets-incentives-to-create-tech-hub-in-central-ohio/70488578007/

 

 

That's substantial! Hiring immediately, but don't know where they'll be located? I'd guess the Hamilton Quarter office building.

32 minutes ago, aderwent said:

I'd guess the Hamilton Quarter office building.

 

The new one in front of the Big Lots HQ? I'm not sure there's enough space in there for 585 employees in addition to the companies already taking up space there. At the very least, it'd be a tight squeeze. 

37 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

 

The new one in front of the Big Lots HQ? I'm not sure there's enough space in there for 585 employees in addition to the companies already taking up space there. At the very least, it'd be a tight squeeze. 

There's over 80,000 square feet still available. That seems like enough especially if any of these will be part or full time WFH. 

Interesting news, they definitely have a lot of potential buildings to choose from I'm sure they will get a steal wherever they end up

 

I'd like to root for downtown but my guess would be Easton or possibly Grandview Yard

 

Edited July 31, 20231 yr by NW24HX

 

Ohio’s land boom: CRE expert reflects on Central Ohio’s recent land grabs

 

"When Intel announced a $20 billion commitment to build at least two semiconductor plants on 1,000 acres in Central Ohio in 2022, it was the largest private-sector investment in Ohio's history. It also marked the start of a new surge of interest in the region.

 

In March, Chicago-based solar panel company Invenergy announced a $600 million investment in what could become the country's largest solar panel production facility. And on June 26, Amazon announced it will spend an estimated $7.8 billion over the next six years to build data center operations in the area, marking the second-largest private sector investment for the state. Even Microsoft has joined the land grab frenzy, buying a $57 million parcel in Licking County, although it has yet to announce its plans for the site.

 

The last 18 months have shown a continued acceleration of a diverse set of industries making needle-moving investments in Central Ohio that impact all of North America,” said Dan Wendorf, executive managing director for the JLL Columbus office. “What’s different about what’s taking place now is that these companies represent four to five new industries, and they've come to Ohio in big ways.”

 

Wendorf recently discussed these investments in Central Ohio and their impacts on the area... That interview can be found here:

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/07/26/ohio-s-land-boom-cre-expert-reflects-on-land-grab.html

 

 

15 hours ago, NW24HX said:

Interesting news, they definitely have a lot of potential buildings to choose from I'm sure they will get a steal wherever they end up

 

I'd like to root for downtown but my guess would be Easton or possibly Grandview Yard

 

You’re probably right, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Downtown too. There should be enough remaining space in the Peninsula office building to house this. 

Downtown property owner files lawsuit over plan for public restrooms

 

 

 

A downtown property owner is suing the city of Columbus and the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District over construction of public restrooms.

 

The Tonti Organization, through affiliate Broad & High Corp., filed a lawsuit this month arguing the permanent public restrooms will hurt its business and the potential to redevelop a surface parking lot at 15-23 N. High St. The suit claims bathrooms are inconsistent with the existing public use of the dedicated "right-of-way" at the site, for which Tonti Organization has a 99-year perpetually renewable lease.

 

The site is at the intersection of High and Lynn streets, by a COTA bus stop between the 10 W. Broad St. office tower and COTA's offices at 33 N. High St. The bathroom location is in "close proximity" to Tonti's property line, the suit says, and constitutes as an "imposition of unfair burdens and restrictions" on the property that result in government taking without compensation, the suit claims.

The Tonti Organization is asking the court to declare the construction of the bathroom unlawful, to issue a temporary restraining order preventing the construction from continuing and to award damages in excess of $25,000.

 

"Clear and convincing evidence exists that loss of access to plaintiff's property will result in damages to plaintiff through the loss of customers and business income," the suit states, although it does not include the evidence. "Clear and convincing evidence exists that plaintiff's property will suffer a loss in value and frustration of development potential."

On 8/18/2023 at 9:52 AM, VintageLife said:

Downtown property owner files lawsuit over plan for public restrooms

 

 

 

A downtown property owner is suing the city of Columbus and the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District over construction of public restrooms.

 

The Tonti Organization, through affiliate Broad & High Corp., filed a lawsuit this month arguing the permanent public restrooms will hurt its business and the potential to redevelop a surface parking lot at 15-23 N. High St. The suit claims bathrooms are inconsistent with the existing public use of the dedicated "right-of-way" at the site, for which Tonti Organization has a 99-year perpetually renewable lease.

 

The site is at the intersection of High and Lynn streets, by a COTA bus stop between the 10 W. Broad St. office tower and COTA's offices at 33 N. High St. The bathroom location is in "close proximity" to Tonti's property line, the suit says, and constitutes as an "imposition of unfair burdens and restrictions" on the property that result in government taking without compensation, the suit claims.

The Tonti Organization is asking the court to declare the construction of the bathroom unlawful, to issue a temporary restraining order preventing the construction from continuing and to award damages in excess of $25,000.

 

"Clear and convincing evidence exists that loss of access to plaintiff's property will result in damages to plaintiff through the loss of customers and business income," the suit states, although it does not include the evidence. "Clear and convincing evidence exists that plaintiff's property will suffer a loss in value and frustration of development potential."

 

Neither the city nor the SID have filed a response in Franklin County Commons Pleas Court. The SID declined to comment for this story, citing the active litigation.

 

“Like many cities around the world, Columbus is committed to finding innovative solutions to ensure access to public restrooms in the core of our downtown, but cannot provide further comment on litigation that’s before the court," the City Attorney's office said in a statement.

 

Tonti Organization executives were not available for comment.

Complete General Construction, who is building the public bathrooms, is also named in the lawsuit.

These people sound like complete jerks. Hopefully the court tells them to screw off. 

This is the same group that kept the Madison's/White-Haines in disrepair for years and sits on multiple properties downtown. Their whole organization should be labeled a nuisance. 

Evidence exists! But we won't show it to you. Just believe us that there is clear and convincing evidence! 

52 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

The Tonti Organization, through affiliate Broad & High Corp., filed a lawsuit this month arguing the permanent public restrooms will hurt its business and the potential to redevelop a surface parking lot at 15-23 N. High St. The suit claims bathrooms are inconsistent with the existing public use of the dedicated "right-of-way" at the site, for which Tonti Organization has a 99-year perpetually renewable lease.

 

What a load of BS. This has been a parking lot since 1987 - suddenly they want to redevelop it?

21 minutes ago, Pablo said:

 

What a load of BS. This has been a parking lot since 1987 - suddenly they want to redevelop it?

I doubt it.  They want to sell it when other developers get desperate enough to pay an inflated amount. 

7 hours ago, VintageLife said:

These people sound like complete assholes. Hopefully the court tells them to screw off. 

The guy who doesn't want the dreaded public to be able to pee comfortably near his building is an asshole? You've got some nerve!

 

/s

"New public infrastructure is going to hurt the value and perception of my crumbling parking lot in the center of a hot real estate market" is a... bold take.

Edited August 18, 20231 yr by DevolsDance

14 hours ago, VintageLife said:

"The suit claims bathrooms are inconsistent with the existing public use of the dedicated "right-of-way" at the site, for which Tonti Organization has a 99-year perpetually renewable lease."

I'm still not clear if Tonti is ground lessor or lessee?

 

 

5 hours ago, Whopper Jr said:

 

Yeah I have no idea what they are, other than a trash company. Isn’t this public property and they have zero say in what happens to it? 

I missed the ground lessee part earlier. Which brings up a thought. I wonder how many other parking lots are covered by such insane contracts. 

6 hours ago, DTCL11 said:

I missed the ground lessee part earlier. Which brings up a thought. I wonder how many other parking lots are covered by such insane contracts. 

There used to be a lot of them, mainly through shell companies.

Update on the public bathrooms 

 

Downtown Columbus public restroom construction to continue after ruling

 

The suit asked for a preliminary injunction that would halt construction at the site. Late last week, Magistrate Mark Petrucci denied the request for a preliminary injunction, meaning the bathrooms can be built. The ruling was filed late Thursday night.

 

"It is in the public's best interest – as it is the public paying for the project – to not delay the project further," the ruling said.

 

What did the ruling say?

 

Complete General Construction, the contractor installing the bathrooms, was also named in the suit.

 

According to Petrucci's ruling, a Complete employee said cancelling the project would cost $300,000 and other smaller costs could be incurred due to the legal delay.

 

The magistrate said he didn't feel there was enough evidence of the bathrooms harming the current parking lot business there to stop the project.

 

"There was a complete lack of evidence that would establish irreparable harm," the ruling said. "Any evidence as to harm at the hearing was shown to be either monetary; i.e., reduction in value or rent; and or speculative; i.e., plans of future development."

 

There was past talk of redeveloping the parking lot, but all projects were at the speculative stage and for now the parking lot will remain a parking lot, according to the filing.

 

The Tonti Organization did not respond to a request for comment on the ruling or its next steps.

55 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

for now the parking lot will remain a parking lot

I can't imagine this lot will be a desirable place to develop with these restrooms there.  Personally, I'd rather have eventual development than these restrooms that will become, if we're being completely honest here, a place for homeless debauchery.

Yeah, but I don't know what you'd have ever seen develop here. It's just such a wierd parcel, very narrow and Columbus Center has those windows on the north side. 

14 minutes ago, TH3BUDDHA said:

I can't imagine this lot will be a desirable place to develop with these restrooms there.  Personally, I'd rather have eventual development than these restrooms that will become, if we're being completely honest here, a place for homeless debauchery.

 

As long as they are maintained and checked regularly, I don't foresee any serious issues. These aren't strictly for the homeless. They are for the public in general. Finding a public restroom in many cities can be a challenge whether your homeless, visiting as a tourist or having a sudden emergency. 

17 minutes ago, TH3BUDDHA said:

I can't imagine this lot will be a desirable place to develop with these restrooms there.  Personally, I'd rather have eventual development than these restrooms that will become, if we're being completely honest here, a place for homeless debauchery.

It will be fine. Public restrooms won’t hurt the chance to develop this property. Homeless people deserve to be able to use a restroom and if they properly upkeep these, it won’t be a problem. 
 

3 minutes ago, 17thState said:

Yeah, but I don't know what you'd have ever seen develop here. It's just such a wierd parcel, very narrow and Columbus Center has those windows on the north side. 

Honestly though, those windows could be covered up almost all the way to the top. It isn’t like they produce a view of much. 

8 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

if they properly upkeep these

That's a big "if".

 

8 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

restrooms won’t hurt the chance to develop this property.

Do you honestly believe that somebody would want to put apartments and ground floor retail with a homeless restroom by the front door?  I find that hard to believe.

1 minute ago, TH3BUDDHA said:

That's a big "if".

 

Do you honestly believe that somebody would want to put apartments and ground floor retail with a homeless restroom by the front door?  I find that hard to believe.

Wouldn’t bother me as a tenant. There are apartments right next to gas stations, which in my opinion would be way worse. Obviously that’s my opinion and view, but I’m sure there are a bunch of others that wouldn’t care either. 

11 minutes ago, jonoh81 said:

As long as they are maintained and checked regularly, I don't foresee any serious issues.

Yes, that is crucial to the success.  I don't really have high hopes.  I know the original article said these will only be monitored until 11:30 pm.  But, even so, would somebody want to put apartments above ground floor retail near this?

3 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

Wouldn’t bother me as a tenant.

To each their own.  I personally would not choose to live there.  I imagine it would feel bit sketchy at night considering they won't monitor them after 11:30 pm. I also wouldn't choose to live near a gas station. 

Europe has public restrooms outside all over the place. They are not just for the unhoused. 

 

I'm trying to remember where the public restrooms that you could just stroll into were Downtown when I was a kid ('80s). Outside entrance into the basement of a building I think. 

3 hours ago, 17thState said:

Yeah, but I don't know what you'd have ever seen develop here. It's just such a wierd parcel, very narrow and Columbus Center has those windows on the north side. 

 

You would only have to step a portion of a hypothetical new building's south wall some amount back, say 10-20 feet, and even then only above the 4th floor

 

The parcel has 80'+ of frontage on High street alone, plus along two alleys - it's very developable, the problem is likely the price the owners wish to extort any attempted buyer for

 

Edited August 22, 20231 yr by NW24HX

1 hour ago, GCrites said:

Europe has public restrooms outside all over the place. They are not just for the unhoused. 

Came here to say the same thing. They were all over in Paris, and it was honestly super convenient. Plus, it didn’t seem to hurt the surrounding real estate. 

And, uh, aren't the other Portland Loos being built next to buildings like...

 

11 hours ago, GCrites said:

Europe has public restrooms outside all over the place. They are not just for the unhoused. 

I was actually reading that European cities are pretty tough on homelessness in their tourist centers.  Maybe this isn't true?  But, it seems like large homeless camps in popular areas would not happen in Europe like many cities in the US.  In the US, I don't think it's wrong to say that homeless people often make public services unusable or, at least, extremely inconvenient to use, for the general public as it has become politically unpopular in urban areas to be tough on homelessness.  I was in San Diego in May and was at a beach bonfire after dark.  I attempted to use one of the public restrooms after dark and somebody else that was leaving said that if I can wait, I should, because it was filled with homeless people being sketchy.

Edited August 22, 20231 yr by TH3BUDDHA

Well, I just wanted to say, the last time I was in the area and needed one, I just dropped in the LeVeque hotel and used their restrooms effortlessly. 🤔

19 hours ago, TH3BUDDHA said:

That's a big "if".

 

Do you honestly believe that somebody would want to put apartments and ground floor retail with a homeless restroom by the front door?  I find that hard to believe.

Why are you calling them a "homeless restroom"? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Do you know what the homeless, or actually anyone really, uses for a restroom when there isn't a toilet available? They use alleyways and bushes. 

30 minutes ago, TIm said:

Why are you calling them a "homeless restroom"? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Do you know what the homeless, or actually anyone really, uses for a restroom when there isn't a toilet available? They use alleyways and bushes. 

We can try to sugar coat it as much as we want, but unless these are constantly monitored and very well maintained, nobody will want to use these besides homeless people.  And, have you ever lived downtown?  There are particular areas where homeless congregate that are particularly sketchy at night.  I imagine this will become one of those locations.

What a weird conversation.

 

Either way, I see the public restrooms as a win for downtown. Many European and some US cities have these and they are overall quite succesful. There will always be isolated issues but that is no reason to hold up a public works project like this where it is in the best interest for the city to maintain and monitor these. Frankly, even the public toilets in SF are not the homeless magnet being described above, they're often quite clean and boring. 

 

Honestly this could be a win win, if Tonti is really upset about this they may finally sell and we get a new public restroom and a new development. 

1 hour ago, DevolsDance said:

What a weird conversation.

 

Either way, I see the public restrooms as a win for downtown. Many European and some US cities have these and they are overall quite succesful. There will always be isolated issues but that is no reason to hold up a public works project like this where it is in the best interest for the city to maintain and monitor these. Frankly, even the public toilets in SF are not the homeless magnet being described above, they're often quite clean and boring. 

 

Honestly this could be a win win, if Tonti is really upset about this they may finally sell and we get a new public restroom and a new development. 

Why is it weird to be discussing a proposed project?  The proposed project is a restroom, so, we're discussing the possible outcomes of a project like we do for any project here.  Personally, I don't like this project for the reasons mentioned above.  On top of this, these aren't particularly attractive restrooms.  They are barely a step above portable restrooms from the renderings.  If you could give me more restrooms like the ones at Bicentennial Park, I'd sign on in a heartbeat.  Why do they close those ones so often?

Edited August 22, 20231 yr by TH3BUDDHA

The SID will be in charge of maintenance and upkeep, not the city, so they'll be regularly cleaned/maintained to a decent standard 

 

43 minutes ago, TH3BUDDHA said:

They are barely a step above portable restrooms from the renderings.  If you could give me more restrooms like the ones at Bicentennial Park, I'd sign on in a heartbeat.  Why do they close those ones so often?

 

That's the whole idea. The ones at Bicentennial Park are locked most of the time to prevent the type of activities you seem to be worried about happening here, for which they are much more susceptible based on their design

 

The portland loo is a proven concept which preemptively mitigates much of the potential maintenance, crime, and cost issues associated with public restrooms

 

https://portlandloo.com/why-loo/

August 2023 Street View imagery up on parts of 70 near ODOT

Preferred Living plans 200 apartments in Rocky Fork-Blacklick area, Columbus annexing land

 

Preferred Living plans to develop more than 200 apartments in the Rocky Fork-Blacklick Accord area.

 

The land is in the process of being annexed into Columbus now, according to city documents. The project would sit on two sites: a 5-acre one at 4975 Warner Road would be home to 140 apartments and a 3-acre one at 5121 Warner Road would house 82 apartment units.

 

The two sites are less than half a mile apart, but don't appear to be physically connected. The 5-acre site would include apartments spread among five buildings and the smaller site would have three buildings, according to plans submitted to the city.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/09/06/preferred-living-plans-development.html

 

Developer Selected to Renovate YMCA Building, Turn into Affordable Housing

 

A plan is now in place to renovate the former Downtown YMCA, turning the 99-year-old building at the corner of Front and Long Streets into affordable housing.

 

Woda Cooper Companies has been selected to lead the project and has committed to preserving the historic building and to delivering apartments that will be affordable to tenants earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income.

 

The building was purchased by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) for $1 million earlier this year, after which the organization put out a Request for Proposals to redevelop the property.

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/developer-selected-to-renovate-ymca-building-turn-into-affordable-housing-bw1/