37 minutes ago, mrCharlie said:

It does seem like downtown Newark should have an 8-10 story building somewhere...

http://wiki.lickingcountylibrary.info/Central_Trust

Not the Atlas building but still very, very beautiful.

Some new pics starting to surface from the NEWARK STATION project on W Main St.  This looks absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!  This might be one of the best projects/renovation in all of Central Ohio...truly!!  Cant wait to see the finished product over the next few years.  Truly remarkable what these folks are doing for this piece of property that has LONG been vacant.  Just to give everyone a refresher of what and where this project is.  The Earthworkspics are represented in the Orange area of the project and the pics are below.  The Yard was phase I and has been open.  The Renaissance Park building has been demolished and is now moving forward.  Lookout Taproom, The Lots and The Lofts are currently under construction.  Glasshouse has not started yet to my knowledge.  What a great project!!

 

 

Before:

 

After:

 

 

Edited June 14, 20232 yr by OhioFinest

1 hour ago, OhioFinest said:

Some new pics starting to surface from the NEWARK STATION project on W Main St.  This looks absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!  This might be one of the best projects/renovation in all of Central Ohio...truly!!  Cant wait to see the finished product over the next few years.  Truly remarkable what these folks are doing for this piece of property that has LONG been vacant.  Just to give everyone a refresher of what and where this project is.  The Earthworkspics are represented in the Orange area of the project and the pics are below.  The Yard was phase I and has been open.  The Renaissance Park building has been demolished and is now moving forward.  Lookout Taproom, The Lots and The Lofts are currently under construction.  Glasshouse has not started yet to my knowledge.  What a great project!!

 

 

Before:

 

After:

 

 

Everything looks great except that rug in the bathroom. Rug looks cool, but a public restroom is NOT the place for ANYTHING absorbent haha.

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2023/06/21/five-story-parking-garage-could-start-redevelopment-of-downtown-site/70326571007/

 

Finally!!  120 apartments. 20 condos. 5 story parking garage.  Retail.  There was a plan for this area a few years ago, but COVID and an unfortunate medical issue halted the plans.  Seems like the city has rethought what they need.  5 stories for the parking garage is bigger than 90% of the buildings downtown...so i don't know how i feel about 5 stories. But i'm excited for this to get going.

 

 

19 minutes ago, OhioFinest said:

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2023/06/21/five-story-parking-garage-could-start-redevelopment-of-downtown-site/70326571007/

 

Finally!!  120 apartments. 20 condos. 5 story parking garage.  Retail.  There was a plan for this area a few years ago, but COVID and an unfortunate medical issue halted the plans.  Seems like the city has rethought what they need.  5 stories for the parking garage is bigger than 90% of the buildings downtown...so i don't know how i feel about 5 stories. But i'm excited for this to get going.

 

 

I like it! They are actually thinking about this development 5-10-20 years down the road. It would be pretty sad to get another 2 story garage that is at capacity daily within 5 years or less.

 

This is phenomenal though, I use to hear about things in the works for this plot of land 5+ years ago, good to see some new possible action in downtown Newark and not just rehab of existing things (although those have all been hugely successful, the units above the buildings downtown are absolutely beautiful inside and out).

 

I wonder if we will ever hear about some movement on the corner of 3rd and Church. There is a bank ATM there and I was hearing talks about it getting demolished and a parking garage going there for all the new downtown residents.

A 5 story parking garage will probably bring a tower crane to Newark. That will be quite the site!

The renderings below were from the original concept a few years ago. This was by the Gossman Group.  If we can get anything close to this, plus a parking garage added into the mix as well, then this project will be awesome to see!! I cant wait to see what the city comes up with. 

 

 

 

19 hours ago, OhioFinest said:

The renderings below were from the original concept a few years ago. This was by the Gossman Group.  If we can get anything close to this, plus a parking garage added into the mix as well, then this project will be awesome to see!! I cant wait to see what the city comes up with. 

 

 

 

Yeah this is the one I was thinking about! Was talks of making it a pedestrian friendly area with a high end steak house and for sale higher end condos above the shops and what not. I think downtown Newark is still a bit of a ways away from having a high end for sale downtown unit market, but as the niceness of the square keeps expanding further and further out it'll only become more desirable.

2 hours ago, TIm said:

Yeah this is the one I was thinking about! Was talks of making it a pedestrian friendly area with a high end steak house and for sale higher end condos above the shops and what not. I think downtown Newark is still a bit of a ways away from having a high end for sale downtown unit market, but as the niceness of the square keeps expanding further and further out it'll only become more desirable.

I had this conversation with a few people at Newark Station over the weekend...People keep saying this, however, all the new loft units downtown are going for well over $1k a month and are fully leased...so the market is in fact there, which is a great to see!!

1 hour ago, OhioFinest said:

I had this conversation with a few people at Newark Station over the weekend...People keep saying this, however, all the new loft units downtown are going for well over $1k a month and are fully leased...so the market is in fact there, which is a great to see!!

Oh I don't think those would be considered high end. They are absolutely nice, but I'm talking like $500,000 condo or $3500/month rent level of places here. Newark is absolutely not ready for those yet, but I can see a future where units of that caliber exist in downtown Newark.

This is take directly off of the Downtown Newark Lofts website.  It gives us an idea of the current price ranges for downtown living in Newark.

 

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/opinion/columnists/2023/06/24/thornwood-drive-corridor-improvements-needed-for-growth-demands-porcritical-to-current-future-growth/70338039007/
 

Good read!! Sounds like (R)Troy Balderson and (D)Sherrod Brown were able to work together to help allocate money to help with the Thornwood Corridor expansion.  People need to start paying attention to this area!!! The Thornwood Corridor might be the next ground zero for Intel spin-off development, as mentioned in the article. CEO Rick Platt of the Licking County Port Authority has been an incredible asset to our community. He mentions in the article that if the area of Newark, Heath, Granville and Hebron were one city, it would be the 7th largest city in the state.  He also mentions that more unannounced jobs are headed this…I’m assuming that the Thornwood Corridor is going to get many Intel related jobs.  Keep up the great work Mr Platt!!! 

Edited June 24, 20231 yr by OhioFinest

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/06/29/newarks-arcade-renovation-cost-duration-surprises-increase/70352825007/

 

Updated story on the Newark Arcade currently undergoing 20 million in restoration.  They recently discovered a fuel tank during digging that there were no records of at any point.  The first pic is the rendering of the finished exterior of the Arcade.  The second picture is a pic of the newly discovered fuel tank.  This is going to bring an additional 19 Lofts and new business downtown.  Cant wait until this restoration is finished!!

 

 

2 minutes ago, OhioFinest said:

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/06/29/newarks-arcade-renovation-cost-duration-surprises-increase/70352825007/

 

Updated story on the Newark Arcade currently undergoing 20 million in restoration.  They recently discovered a fuel tank during digging that there were no records of at any point.  The first pic is the rendering of the finished exterior of the Arcade.  The second picture is a pic of the newly discovered fuel tank.  This is going to bring an additional 19 Lofts and new business downtown.  Cant wait until this restoration is finished!!

 

 

Pretty sweet update on the project! You have to assume with a place this old that has seen so many uses that there would be some unexpected slow downs. But a 10,000 gallon oil tank randomly buried onsite?! That is certainly a twist. Downtown is doing so great now and this will likely make downtown Newark an actual destination and not just a cool thing for the locals.

 

I also thought the quote in there about the future tenants was hilarious, read like Trump said it. "We have the best possible future tenants, great tenants, so many tenants!".

interesting article. While this may seem like an insignificant purchase, i think it tells us a few things.  The Licking County Commissioners, LEADS and Ohio Means Jobs use this site...and it states in the article that they are running out of space at their Downtown Newark location, so that tells me that they must be getting more and more inquiries in Licking County about doing business here...most likely spin off from Intel and need the additional space for additional people.  This is a nice little site that they could do A LOT with...expansion...new build...so i will be curious to see what happens with this.  There is actually a much bigger footprint to this site than you would think. 

 

 

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/07/31/licking-county-commissioners-plan-to-purchase-eastland-center/70484342007/

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 31, 20231 yr by OhioFinest

4 minutes ago, OhioFinest said:

interesting article. While this may seem like an insignificant purchase, i think it tells us a few things.  The Licking County Commissioners, LEADS and Ohio Means Jobs use this site...and it states in the article that they are running out of space at their Downtown Newark location, so that tells me that they must be getting more and more inquiries in Licking County about doing business here...most likely spin off from Intel and need the additional space for additional people.  This is a nice little site that they could do A LOT with...expansion...new build...so i will be curious to see what happens with this.  There is actually a much bigger footprint to this site than you would think. 

 

 

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/07/31/licking-county-commissioners-plan-to-purchase-eastland-center/70484342007/

 

 

 

 

 

I've inspected the pre-school at this facility. There is an insane amount of poorly utilized space in there. There are maybe 8 classrooms and they all spill out into this absolutely massive space that was mostly empty. Should be pretty easy to more adequately use the space, probably without disrupting too much of the existing operations.

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2023/08/02/intel-husted-cotc-unveil-programs-for-semiconductor-industry-workers/70497677007/

 

Insightful article about Intel and how COTC is ramping up its curriculum to help develop students and workforce. 

 

Good to someone doing something proactive for once. Would be great for more Ohioans to have the opportunity to get these high paying jobs before they shop them out to potential candidates around the country.

Pretty cool restoration of the Hudson Ave church that has been vacant for a long time. Seems to be turning into a multi-purpose venue for weddings etc.  Will be really nice when its complete.  It appears they have purchased the vacant lots next to the church for the outdoor patio and parking.  Super cool building...glad to see the investment and revitalization of Newark continue.

 

Pics of the renderings:

https://www.northpointohio.com/hudson-avenue-church-rehabilitation/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, OhioFinest said:

Pretty cool restoration of the Hudson Ave church that has been vacant for a long time. Seems to be turning into a multi-purpose venue for weddings etc.  Will be really nice when its complete.  It appears they have purchased the vacant lots next to the church for the outdoor patio and parking.  Super cool building...glad to see the investment and revitalization of Newark continue.

 

Pics of the renderings:

https://www.northpointohio.com/hudson-avenue-church-rehabilitation/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So this is that old church right on the other side of 16 just outside downtown? Awesome to see something positive happening with it, but I don't think that area is ripe for a fancy venue just yet. They're like 10 years too early. It's such a weird area, you've got some of the nicest homes in Newark intermingled with meth labs.

18 hours ago, TIm said:

So this is that old church right on the other side of 16 just outside downtown? Awesome to see something positive happening with it, but I don't think that area is ripe for a fancy venue just yet. They're like 10 years too early. It's such a weird area, you've got some of the nicest homes in Newark intermingled with meth labs.

Yes, the old church right off the highway.  It has to start somewhere though...maybe it will be the catalyst for that area?

5 hours ago, OhioFinest said:

Yes, the old church right off the highway.  It has to start somewhere though...maybe it will be the catalyst for that area?

I hope they are successful but... good luck to them lol. Hope they install security cameras first.

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/09/19/newark-earthworks-named-ohios-first-unesco-world-heritage-sites/70892014007/
 

BIG news…The Newark Earthworks has been officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. The ramifications of this could be HUGE for the area. I read a while back, during the presentation of this process, that tourism could go from 6k a year to anywhere from 100k to 600k tourists a year. That’s a big range, but would still be a massive increase. Which brings me to my next point…the former Rockwell/Arvin Meritor site across the street. I have heard from some pretty good sources, that there are some big plans for the site that could include a massive new museum dedicated to the Hopewell Native American Tribe, a large hotel and a cross walk that goes over 79 to connect to the Octagon site. Again, that is not official. This would be incredible for the Greater Newark area.  Apparently there are millions of people around the world who set out to see all the locations on the World Heritage Site list. My ONLY concern is the upkeep of the former country club. Say what you want, but they kept that site immaculate and many citizens are concerned that it will be “let go”. Anyway, another historic day for Licking County and Newark. 

Edited September 19, 20231 yr by OhioFinest

1 hour ago, OhioFinest said:

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/09/19/newark-earthworks-named-ohios-first-unesco-world-heritage-sites/70892014007/
 

BIG news…The Newark Earthworks has been officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. The ramifications of this could be HUGE for the area. I read a while back, during the presentation of this process, that tourism could go from 6k a year to anywhere from 100k to 600k tourists a year. That’s a big range, but would still be a massive increase. Which brings me to my next point…the former Rockwell/Arvin Meritor site across the street. I have heard from some pretty good sources, that there are some big plans for the site that could include a massive new museum dedicated to the Hopewell Native American Tribe, a large hotel and a cross walk that goes over 79 to connect to the Octagon site. Again, that is not official. This would be incredible for the Greater Newark area.  Apparently there are millions of people around the world who set out to see all the locations on the World Heritage Site list. My ONLY concern is the upkeep of the former country club. Say what you want, but they kept that site immaculate and many citizens are concerned that it will be “let go”. Anyway, another historic day for Licking County and Newark. 

Licking County is just raking in the wins recently! I wouldn't be too worried about the upkeep, it's 19 year olds using riding mowers on summer break haha. The entire place barely had any facilities staff, it was like one guy and a few rotational hires. Source: my brother was one.

Edited September 19, 20231 yr by TIm

UNESCO has already added it to their interactive map!

 

https://whc.unesco.org/en/interactive-map/

It's not just Licking Co. - there are 8 sites throughout the state.

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2023/09/20/world-heritage-honor-for-newark-earthworks-emotional-for-supporters/70900559007/

 

More about the Ohio delegation that went to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the event.  Just like my post above where i mentioned that i have some sources telling me about a potential Hopewell Museum and Hotel being built...the following quote from the article gives us a little hint of that possibility.  I sure hope that this works out.  It could be a HUGE moment for Newark and the state of Ohio. 

 

Quote

 

Low, in his fourth year as the Newark Earthworks Center director, said the Great Circle visitor center building on Hebron Road should probably be replaced.

“The building is not big enough or worthy of a center for a World Heritage site,” Low said. “If you get 10 people in there, it’s crowded.

“I’d advocate if there is a visitor’s center in Newark, it should be close to the Octagon. The Octagon is the most special of the eight sites. There’s nothing else like it anywhere in the world.”

 

 

"If there is a visitor's center in Newark, it should be close to the Octagon"...it seems as if he saying the site across the street without saying it specifically lol. 

 

 

Edited September 21, 20231 yr by OhioFinest

^The Octagon Mound is the Mound Building Country Club on 33rd Street, not in Heath (that's the Great Circle). 

 

It would be nice to have a visitor center right at Church Street and  SR 16. The Tequilaville and University Inn site could be acquired and demolished, and a pedestrian bridge added across Raccoon Creek for mound access from the new center.

I sort of assumed the visitor center would take the place of the country club facilities.

17 hours ago, ink said:

^The Octagon Mound is the Mound Building Country Club on 33rd Street, not in Heath (that's the Great Circle). 

 

It would be nice to have a visitor center right at Church Street and  SR 16. The Tequilaville and University Inn site could be acquired and demolished, and a pedestrian bridge added across Raccoon Creek for mound access from the new center.

If you read the entire quote, he said the Newark Earthworks Center should "Probably be replaced"...that's where the 79 location comes into play that i am talking about.  It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.  I do know that the Country Club driving range is actually on LMH ground if i recall correctly, so that would give them PLENTY of room for a new facility.  If they do get a brand new facility...they could demolish the existing facility and build a much larger and appropriate facility on the LMH site and the existing site.  I will be curious to see how this all plays out once the court settlement is finalized in October. 

There was a plan floated out there years ago for the old now demolished and cleaned up manufacturing site across from the Newark Earthworks on 79 where Heath and Newark meet. Part of the proposal was redeveloping that entire site into a huge mixed use development, building museum and educational facilities for the Indian Mounds in the area and construction of a tunnel underneath 79 to connect the development to the Mounds across the street so pedestrians could get there safely. It was all quite conceptual obviously but it was an interesting idea.

https://614now.com/2023/food-drink/massive-new-bar-arcade-with-electronic-axe-throwing-retro-games-coming-to-central-ohio

 

This is going to be an awesome new venue in Newark.  Cannot wait until this opens.  The amount of new places in and around Newark over the last 3-5 years has been simply incredible to witness.  Called "West Church Social"...it will be a "Pins" type of establishment.  Located on the west side of Newark, you can see this location off of SR16. 

 

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, OhioFinest said:

https://614now.com/2023/food-drink/massive-new-bar-arcade-with-electronic-axe-throwing-retro-games-coming-to-central-ohio

 

This is going to be an awesome new venue in Newark.  Cannot wait until this opens.  The amount of new places in and around Newark over the last 3-5 years has been simply incredible to witness.  Called "West Church Social"...it will be a "Pins" type of establishment.  Located on the west side of Newark, you can see this location off of SR16. 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh dang, I saw that article and thought "uhhh, another barcade thing we have dozens here in Columbus". Did not realize this was a Newark development! Probably going to absolutely crush it in Newark honestly. They're dying for some more unique nightlife over there that isn't "sit at bar and drink there".

There have been attempts to bring the concept to Newark but they didn't pan out.

2 hours ago, TIm said:

Oh dang, I saw that article and thought "uhhh, another barcade thing we have dozens here in Columbus". Did not realize this was a Newark development! Probably going to absolutely crush it in Newark honestly. They're dying for some more unique nightlife over there that isn't "sit at bar and drink there".

This x100...plus its in a really nice part of town...its the old Bunky's/EndZone/PapaJoes location...but the whole building is being converted.  They should kill it at this location.  Plus like you said, this will offer some new entertainment that isnt currently available in Newark. 

16 hours ago, OhioFinest said:

This x100...plus its in a really nice part of town...its the old Bunky's/EndZone/PapaJoes location...but the whole building is being converted.  They should kill it at this location.  Plus like you said, this will offer some new entertainment that isnt currently available in Newark. 

Oh wow, I did not really look at the location until now. What a great spot for Newark honestly. People in the area are very okay with driving to entertainment and it being right off 16 will probably bring in other non-local traffic. 

17 hours ago, OhioFinest said:

This x100...plus its in a really nice part of town...its the old Bunky's/EndZone/PapaJoes location...but the whole building is being converted.  They should kill it at this location.  Plus like you said, this will offer some new entertainment that isnt currently available in Newark. 

 

Also close to OSU Newark. Lots of students live in Franklin County and will drive past that location on their way home every day.

 

We've had a retro arcade in downtown Granville for a year or so, and it's always packed. There is definitely a market around here that is being underserved.

 

This location is also across the street from Trek Brewing (in the old Damon's). I suppose they technically are competing, but definitely not the same kind of place. Either way, driving more traffic and awareness to that neighborhood is probably great for both. That area has been a little too quiet since State Farm closed, but I'm sure its been great for the businesses in the area with OSUN using part of the State Farm space while Founder's Hall is being renovated.

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/money/business/small-business/2023/12/14/west-church-social-seeks-to-bring-nightlife-back-to-newarks-west-end/71891871007/

 

Nice write up on "West Church Social".  I checked this place out recently...its safe to say that this place will do VERY well!!!

 

 

https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2023/12/20/residents-along-river-road-in-newark-granville-area-oppose-multifamily-housing-developments/71937162007/

 

Here we go again!!! Newark City Council better do whats right for Newark this time...FINALLY!!! Stop listening to people who are NOT your constituents and do what is right for the city of Newark.  River Road residents are so whiny!! Oh, its ok for THEM to build a house there and live in that area, but not for anybody else. Poor poor Granville...suck it up! 

 

The article also points to a new housing development that i have not been made aware of...and its in an interesting location, which tells me that more realllllll growth is coming to Newark, because this is an area i just never imagined being developed...and this is a GOOD thing!!! 

 

 

 

 

This are is currently under construction just North of River Rd as well.

 

Edited December 20, 20231 yr by OhioFinest

Area in Orange is currently under construction.

Area in Green was just announced in the article today.  Earth moving is already underway.

Area in Yellow is the big prize!!!  It is in the city of Newark, but Granville files lawsuits in the Supreme Court to block any development. Its time for NEWARK to do whats right for NEWARK!! Its time for Granville to understand what is happening around us and plan accordingly. 

Edited December 20, 20231 yr by OhioFinest

1 hour ago, OhioFinest said:

Here we go again!!! Newark City Council better do whats right for Newark this time...FINALLY!!! Stop listening to people who are NOT your constituents and do what is right for the city of Newark.  River Road residents are so whiny!! Oh, its ok for THEM to build a house there and live in that area, but not for anybody else. Poor poor Granville...suck it up! 

 

Remember, it isn't Granville residents opposing these projects - it's residents of Granville Schools. Many of those residents are indeed residents of the city of Newark (Park Trails/Park Ridge), who are both very vocal and numerous - and most definitely have a say in the decisions Newark makes. As more of those developments happen there will be more constituents opposing each new project after.

 

That said, I pretty much agree. Park Trails/Park Ridge are some of the very worst for the "drawbridge mentality" and most fail to see any hypocrisy there - a fact pointed out anytime these projects are discussed online locally. Most of us in the village proper only care about the schools getting too crowded, they have to deal with the added traffic and "changing character of the area" as well - as did everyone who lived on River Road before Park Trails happened.

 

There is added concern right now regarding school crowding - while the last Granville school operating levy did pass (in the face of organized opposition), it's only a five year renewal. The prior attempt to made it permanent failed. Obviously a new building(s) will be needed soon in the face of coming growth, but there is a lot of concern about passing a bond issue to pay for it (and running into "we just gave the schools money" a few years later when it comes time to renew the operating levy). I can speak firsthand the elemental school is VERY full, my son's kindergarten class last year was in an auxiliary building that had been used as offices for years. Hopefully any new building(s) are much further south, where the growth is happening. Presumably in part because of the long bus ride, lots of Park Trails/Park Ridge (and Union Township) families DRIVE to school. My kid usually rides the bus because it's a 20 minute walk, but the times we have walked the pickup/dropoff line stretches for blocks.

 

I think I've said this before here, but in general I'm pretty concerned with the hands-off approach Granville (as a whole region) seems to be taking to the obvious growth coming our way. It seems like its been obvious since Park Trails happened that the full area of Granville Schools needs to be incorporated to maintain control, but the conservative big money people in the township are against the "taxes and regulations" of living in what would be the City of Granville. I don't know if they think nothing will change as long as we do nothing to change it, think Granville and Union Township will prevent it (they have no real ability), or if they are just hoping to get the opportunity to sell out and profit. 

I hear you and i agree to an extent!! Respectfully, with regards to schooling though...i simply do not care about anything Granville schools related in this discussion anymore. Granville has had PLENTY of time to figure out what needs done to be able to properly handle this...instead of crying non stop about it.  If they think this is bad...i cant wait until they are forced to turn their attention west.  Newark City Council members (Mine specifically) are elected to represent the constituents of Newark. I am tired of my elected official, caring more about the needs of Granville schools, than being able to collect the taxes to improve roads and infrastructure in Newark. This development helps Newark with its tax base, which ironically a woman is quoted in the article as saying "Newark doesn't fill the pot holes on River Road"...welllll, maybe if they had the tax base they could?  Again, this about the 100th time this discussion has been had and yet NOBODY ever addresses how this would HELP Newark and how delaying this development HURTS Newark from a tax perspective....ALWAYS Granville.  Approve this development, plan it, build it and let the chips fall where they may.  But the days of Granville having this amount of control over a piece of property that is within NEWARK city limits should be over from a Newark City Council perspective.  How much more time does Granville need to prepare for this???  The excuses are over.

The school issue is such a silly argument honestly. The population of just about everywhere in the US has been growing since the beginning. These districts should be actively planning for growth and development not fighting against it. And I've been into Granville schools before. They got a ton of space and a ton of money, they can do whatever they need to do they just don't want to do it. Spend millions on a new football stadium but can't figure out how to fit like 80 new kids in the entire district. They have professionally trained chefs in the kitchen making 6 figures. They literally throw iPads in the trash at the end of every school year while just next door in Newark teachers are more worried about making sure their students have coats and socks in the winter. Like, get it together! Spend the money on education not frivolous crap!

Edited December 20, 20231 yr by TIm

26 minutes ago, TIm said:

The school issue is such a silly argument honestly. The population of just about everywhere in the US has been growing since the beginning. These districts should be actively planning for growth and development not fighting against it. And I've been into Granville schools before. They got a ton of space and a ton of money, they can do whatever they need to do they just don't want to do it. Spend millions on a new football stadium but can't figure out how to fit like 80 new kids in the entire district. They have professionally trained chefs in the kitchen making 6 figures. They literally throw iPads in the trash at the end of every school year while just next door in Newark teachers are more worried about making sure their students have coats and socks in the winter. Like, get it together! Spend the money on education not frivolous crap!

You said it Sir!!!! It's why i don't even consider this to even be a valid argument against this housing development any longer.  Did Dublin or Olentangy school districts magically get worse by having to build new schools? Granville will be just fine!!

That's all fair, and I agree that Granville (Schools) have been kicking the can for long enough. It's time to accept reality and embrace the demand - build some new buildings, and plan for growth. We will ALL be better for it! The school board itself, FWIW, does seem to have a plan and is shifting towards that position.

 

They are also not as well funded as people seem to think - there isn't a lot of state money coming in compared to most districts in the region (we got hit hard by the changes to the state funding formula), so we pay a LOT in local taxes. This is particularly hard on middle-class residents of the district...many of which live in Park Trails/Park Ridge. That's a big part of why you see that group making a lot of noise at the prospect of paying more taxes to build more buildings - many claim they just can't afford it.

 

I was curious to just how many people live in Newark City/Granville Schools, but I haven't been able to find that information specifically. The best I could do, as a proxy, is infer some things based on the precinct breakdowns for this year's election results. I used an unopposed unexpired term for GEVSD school board (John Kronk) to figure out eligible GEVSD voters in each ward, adding together votes and undervotes.

 

https://www.boe.ohio.gov/licking/election-info/election-night-results/

 

Newark Ward 3B - 1960 registered voters, 1021 voted on 11/7/23 - 706 in GEVSD

Newark Ward 5A - 1118 registered voters, 738 voted on 11/7/23 - 87 in GEVSD

So a total of 793 Newark City/Granvilles Schools voters participated on 11/7/23 

 

Other stats about the 11/7/23 for some context:

• 14165 voted in the Newark Mayors race

• 6495 voted in GEVSD

• 2299 voted in Newark Ward 3A/B/C

 

So it's isn't a TON of people in the grand scheme of Newark voters, but it also isn't trivial. It is however a sizable chunk of GEVSD's voter population. It's an even bigger percentage of Ward 3's voters, so you can bet they have councilman's ear (along with others in the ward opposing new developments over traffic concerns and the usual stuff). 

 

Again, no way to prove it with numbers - but going by local chit-chat, I think you would find the majority of vocal opposition to the Newark projects comes from Park Trial/Park Ridge residents.

 

 

It isn't and shouldn't be a "ward specific" issue.  The tax revenue from this development impacts ALL of Newark...because the tax revenue is used for the entire city for improvements.  Those 793 voters should NOT trump my vote as a citizen of Newark.  It's really that simple and the basis of my point of view.  Tooooo much power has been given to those specific voters and the will of the rest of us has been silenced.  I want Newark to develop this land.  I want Newark to grow and thrive.  I could care zero percent about how this impacts Granville Schools.  That's just where i am at on this issue.  Again, Granville has had PLENTY of time and empathy from Newark on this issue.  If Granville doesn't have a plan in place by now, then that's on Granville and no longer Newark's issue.  I appreciate your perspective however...and i understand it.  You give a sound voice to that side of the argument, but at the end of they day...Newark City Council should be doing what's in the best interest for ALL of Newark. 

One last point of view on this...i believe Park Trails should be going to NCS.  It's Newark City, they should go to NCS...to me...that seems like basic common sense lol. 

19 minutes ago, OhioFinest said:

One last point of view on this...i believe Park Trails should be going to NCS.  It's Newark City, they should go to NCS...to me...that seems like basic common sense lol. 

 

I think that was really the argument Granville made from the start, and NCS would be better for it (and the tax money it would bring). But I think the whole point of Park Trails is that it's a new build in GEVSD for under $600k.

 

I'm also not saying the 793 GEVSD voters should be dominating Newark, but they are also just as much Newark citizens as you are. So they do get a say in the matter, since they get doubly affected by school burdens and other things like traffic. I do agree with you though it's time to move on and make things happen - hopefully Newark plans infrastructure properly to access the area moving forward as it grows. The situation right now is not ideal.

 

One last thing, which hopefully signals a shift in mentality throughout the area, perhaps even acceptance - someone posted the same Advocate article 5 hours ago on the biggest (5k members) Granville Facebook group. In the past it would be met with outrage and complaining, with dozens of comments by this point. Today...crickets. 

 

Edited December 20, 20231 yr by mrCharlie

1 hour ago, mrCharlie said:

 

I think that was really the argument Granville made from the start, and NCS would be better for it (and the tax money it would bring). But I think the whole point of Park Trails is that it's a new build in GEVSD for under $600k.

 

I'm also not saying the 793 GEVSD voters should be dominating Newark, but they are also just as much Newark citizens as you are. So they do get a say in the matter, since they get doubly affected by school burdens and other things like traffic. I do agree with you though it's time to move on and make things happen - hopefully Newark plans infrastructure properly to access the area moving forward as it grows. The situation right now is not ideal.

 

One last thing, which hopefully signals a shift in mentality throughout the area, perhaps even acceptance - someone posted the same Advocate article 5 hours ago on the biggest (5k members) Granville Facebook group. In the past it would be met with outrage and complaining, with dozens of comments by this point. Today...crickets. 

 

Yeah it's such a tricky situation. The entire reason that area is desirable for new expensive builds is because it's Newark City taxes and Granville school district. Literally best of both worlds in that sense.