May 25, 20232 yr National Church Residences proposes new senior housing community in Licking County “National Church Residences plans to construct a new senior housing community in Licking County. The Columbus-based developer has proposed Hebron Senior Apartments, a 42-unit development located at 3272 Hebron Road in the village of Hebron. The $11.5 million project will serve seniors aged 55 and older, and will include options for both low-income individuals and those with higher income levels. The two-story building will have one-bedroom units measuring 642 square feet, as well as amenities that include a fitness room and a community room. A service coordinator will be on site to provide services and links to resources in the community such as healthcare assessments and legal assistance. Those services will be offered at no cost to residents. Amy Rosenthal, vice president of affordable housing for NCR, said the firm also will partner with various providers in the area, including Harbor Community Center, Licking County Aging Services and Licking County Transit, as well as the village of Hebron's administrative staff, the mayor and city council members.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/05/25/national-church-residences-hebron-senior-apartment.html
June 9, 20232 yr https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2023/06/09/residents-weigh-in-on-framework-plan-to-prepare-for-intel-development/70295430007/ https://frameworklc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/LC_BaselineReport.pdf Lots of good information about Licking County communities and the plan that is coming together...particularly in the second link.
June 9, 20232 yr 27 minutes ago, OhioFinest said: https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/2023/06/09/residents-weigh-in-on-framework-plan-to-prepare-for-intel-development/70295430007/ https://frameworklc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/LC_BaselineReport.pdf Lots of good information about Licking County communities and the plan that is coming together...particularly in the second link. I've been involved in the meetings with Framework for over a year now. They are simply 1 of many competing groups producing plans for the area, which ultimately, have no real effect on any municipalities activities. What Framework has been is a good source of data for development and population trends and expectations. A lot of it is just "pie in the sky". You can have all of the plans and maps you want, but the real development of western Licking county is going to be dictated by those who control the water. And if you look at how shady and underhanded Southwest Licking County Water and Sewer District has been, no just lately but also historically, they have no intention or desire to cooperate with these plans like the ones produced by Framework. They are only interested in more customers and revenue at any cost.
June 9, 20232 yr Honestly the most interesting thing I'm taking away from this article in the Advocate is the reminder that the intel plant is scheduled to start operating in 2025. 2025 starts in 18 months! What the hell is going on?! How is 2025 so close?!
June 9, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, Airsup said: I've been involved in the meetings with Framework for over a year now. They are simply 1 of many competing groups producing plans for the area, which ultimately, have no real effect on any municipalities activities. What Framework has been is a good source of data for development and population trends and expectations. A lot of it is just "pie in the sky". You can have all of the plans and maps you want, but the real development of western Licking county is going to be dictated by those who control the water. And if you look at how shady and underhanded Southwest Licking County Water and Sewer District has been, no just lately but also historically, they have no intention or desire to cooperate with these plans like the ones produced by Framework. They are only interested in more customers and revenue at any cost. Thanks for the insight...good information!!
July 2, 20231 yr The New Albany Company seeks annexation of 286 acres from Monroe Township into Johnstown "The New Albany Co., which has developed thousands of Licking County acres annexed into the city of New Albany, now plans to develop a 286-acre Monroe Township site soon to be annexed into Johnstown. The property lies immediately north of the Intel Corp. site, where construction on a $20 billion computer chip manufacturing facility continues. The area requested for annexation includes land north of Green Chapel Road, stretching from Clover Valley Road to Mink Street, and south of Duncan Plains Road. The annexation will bring Johnstown south to the New Albany city limits on Green Chapel Road. "The request to annex this acreage into Johnstown is to support future development that positions Johnstown to attract quality growth... Rubey said. "Should the annexation into Johnstown be approved, we will focus on creating a mixed-use development plan for the property which is located at the gateway to Intel." New Albany annexations of Jersey Township land have accelerated since the Jan. 21, 2022, Intel announcement for the Licking County development. Until now, the annexations have not crossed into Monroe Township." https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/07/02/new-albany-company-seeks-286-acre-annexation-into-city-of-johnstown/70371196007/
July 12, 20231 yr New 254-home subdivision to be built in Pataskala "Forest Ridge, a 254-home subdivision by M/I Homes of Central Ohio, is coming to Ohio 310/Hazelton-Etna Road in Pataskala. The home builder expects to start selling lots for single-family homes next spring. The Pataskala Planning and Zoning Commission approved a preliminary plan in September. On July 5, the commission approved the project's first phase, which will have 29 lots on 11 acres of land. The 254 homes will be built in multiple phases. The 128.1-acre development is bordered to the south by the existing Ravines at Hazelwood subdivision and to the east by the new Scenic View Estates subdivision. About 50 acres, or about 40% of the development, will be open space, West said. Site preparation work is ongoing and water and sanitary sewer lanes will be installed soon, West said. M/I Homes hopes to pave the first phase's roads by the end of the year and a model home will completed by March. Homes will be built in the summer and fall of 2024 with the first residents moving in by the end of 2024" https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/pataskala/2023/07/12/254-home-pataskala-subdivision-cater-intel-employees/70398949007/
July 12, 20231 yr Hopefully with the name Forest Ridge they don't chop down the whole stand of mature trees there. Looks like the three adjacent neighborhoods did a decent job of saving trees. Good on Pataskala!
July 13, 20231 yr 22 hours ago, aderwent said: Hopefully with the name Forest Ridge they don't chop down the whole stand of mature trees there. Looks like the three adjacent neighborhoods did a decent job of saving trees. Good on Pataskala! The large plot of land directly adjacent to the east is the one to watch. They are bending over backwards to maintain the trees, the hills, and everything that makes that piece of land beautiful. The roads and homes are adjusting to the landscape and not the other way around. Scenic View Estates.
July 18, 20231 yr Hello UrbanOhio! I’ve enjoyed reading posts for several years now, and this is my first. Having lived in rural and urban Ohio for all 58 of my years, I love our state, our cities, towns, and our great people. The passion and interest displayed here is awesome and informative. Initially, I was turned off by the recent discussions on this thread. I was thinking “enough already!” But I must admit I love the passion of cbussoccer and jonoh81 and agree the discussion is valid. If this debate continues, I’d be interested in viewing citations. It’s sometimes difficult to see through my own biases when reading content presented as facts that goes against my own experiences, logic, or perceptions. And I’d love to read more about it. My thanks to all posters on all threads in the Central and Southeastern Ohio forum. It’s really cool to see how many others share the excitement happening in our little corner of the world.
July 18, 20231 yr Moved the highway discussion to --> https://forum.urbanohio.com/topic/1282-metro-columbus-road-amp-highway-news/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 18, 20231 yr Etna Twp. getting new distribution center at I-70 & Ohio 310 interchange "An Etna Township industrial park is growing with another distribution center coming to the Interstate 70 corridor. Construction has started on a speculative 250,020-square-foot distribution center at The Cubes at Etna 70, a 305 acre industrial park. The new building will join the Kohl’s distribution center that opened at The Cubes in 2020. Located at 10300 Schuster Way, the park is adjacent to the I-70 interchange at Ohio 310. The new building is the third development at The Cubes at Etna 70 from CRG, a national real estate development and investment firm, and an affiliate of its capital partner, LXP Industrial Trust. CRG and LXP purchased the 305 acres in 2018. Since then, a 1.2-million-squarefoot e-commerce fulfillment center was built for Kohl’s, creating more than 400 jobs, according to the news release. A separate 1,074,840-square-foot speculative distribution facility was completed in October and subsequently leased to a confidential Fortune 500 manufacturing tenant that plans to use the location as its new distribution center. And this won’t be the last development at The Cubes. The park, the release states, has three remaining pad-ready sites that can accommodate build-to-suit users ranging from 250,000 to 800,000 square feet." https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/pataskala/2023/08/18/distribution-center-coming-to-interstate-70-ohio-310-interchange/70604180007/
November 9, 20231 yr Microsoft acquires nearly 600 acres on Refugee Road in Pataskala "Microsoft has bought 580 acres on Refugee Road in Pataskala, as tech companies look beyond New Albany for data center sites in Licking County. The tech giant paid $30.65 million for three parcels on the north side of Refugee Road between Mink Street and Etna Parkway in the Pataskala Corporate Park. The purchase comes a few weeks after the Texas company Aligned Data Centers paid $13.85 million for 89 acres on the southeast corner of Mink and Broad streets a bit north of the Microsoft property. The purchase follows Microsoft's purchase earlier this year of 183 acres on Beech Road in New Albany for $57 million. Also over the summer, Microsoft paid $4.7 million for 16 acres on Ganton Road in New Albany, the site of a Scioto Ready Mix operation, across the road from a Meta data center. Microsoft's purchase illustrates the evolution of commercial activity north of Interstate 70 in Etna and Pataskala. Commercial development in the area for years has been fueled by distribution centers in the Etna Corporate Park. That growth has pushed north along Mink Streets and Etna Parkway into the Pataskala Corporate Park." https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/real-estate/2023/11/09/microsoft-quiet-on-details-about-hundreds-of-acres-bought-in-pataskala/71488891007/
November 14, 20231 yr https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/11/14/state-cash-for-licking-county-roads-brought-joy-in-june-now-concern/71508799007/ Personally, i think Intel should be financing all of this road and bridge infrastructure work. The Thornwood Dr Corridor is VITAL to Licking County and its development. Ridiculous that all of the money the state is giving Licking County is to be used for Intel. I get it, that is vital too...but Licking County is a BIG county and that money should be proportioned appropriately.
November 14, 20231 yr 4 hours ago, OhioFinest said: https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2023/11/14/state-cash-for-licking-county-roads-brought-joy-in-june-now-concern/71508799007/ Personally, i think Intel should be financing all of this road and bridge infrastructure work. The Thornwood Dr Corridor is VITAL to Licking County and its development. Ridiculous that all of the money the state is giving Licking County is to be used for Intel. I get it, that is vital too...but Licking County is a BIG county and that money should be proportioned appropriately. Intel eventually will…
November 14, 20231 yr Not nearly what they should. And not as directly as they should. A huge part of the venture is being subsidized in the same way eastern Ohio hung its hats on fracking. Giving the breaks and allowances to the big companies and then being thankful for the jobs and hoping the revenue from taxing the workers, residents, drivers, and smaller companies fill in the gap. We can't forget the influx of restaurant business that always goes mentioned in these projects. But we should be thankful for the jobs and the disproportionate roll the individual tax payers play in funding the infrastructure while the big corporation gets to sit back, collect record profit, and say thank you watching all the cogs below foot the bill. But I suppose we should be 'thankful' for the investment at all, because otherwise we wouldnt have the jobs, drivers, businesses, and residents to pay off the infrastructure like good little tax payers and residents. Edited November 14, 20231 yr by DTCL11
November 15, 20231 yr 4 hours ago, DTCL11 said: Not nearly what they should. And not as directly as they should. A huge part of the venture is being subsidized in the same way eastern Ohio hung its hats on fracking. Giving the breaks and allowances to the big companies and then being thankful for the jobs and hoping the revenue from taxing the workers, residents, drivers, and smaller companies fill in the gap. We can't forget the influx of restaurant business that always goes mentioned in these projects. But we should be thankful for the jobs and the disproportionate roll the individual tax payers play in funding the infrastructure while the big corporation gets to sit back, collect record profit, and say thank you watching all the cogs below foot the bill. But I suppose we should be 'thankful' for the investment at all, because otherwise we wouldnt have the jobs, drivers, businesses, and residents to pay off the infrastructure like good little tax payers and residents. I’m about as anti-tax as anyone here I promise you that but name one project where this dream scenario of *enter company name here* comes to town and pays for all the infrastructure, etc. Also you missed something, all the companies coming here to support the fabs that AREN'T getting tax breaks. The tone of some of the replies on here is ridiculous at times. Some of you take this stuff WAY too personal.
November 15, 20231 yr 10 hours ago, wpcc88 said: Also you missed something, all the companies coming here to support the fabs that AREN'T getting tax breaks. That's quite literally my point in saying the smaller companies, along with individuals, get disproportionately stuck with the bill while the fat cat Intel sits back and enjoys the heavy subsidies. I didn't miss that at all. But it further exemplifies my point in that you're excusing it because the others will take care of it. The trickle down tax benefits. And we should take it personally because the fact that there has been a decades old race to the bottom for taxing major corporations is part of what has decimated tax revenue streams that could help pay for things like better schools, infrastructure, transit, etc. We scratch our heads as to why we can't relive American Post War expansion and investment all while throwing money at the major companies leaving the burden on the smaller players. You, namely, also take any criticism of companies way too personal but I suppose that's the name of the game here. It's an anonymous public forum largely playing Sim City with urban centered projects and goals. Let us not forget the outright SHELACKING you gave the forum community in DARING to push back against Indianola business owners who proposed sharrows instead of dedicated bike lanes. I believe you told us, in no uncertain terms, we have no right to criticize them because we have never owned, worked for, or known anyone who owns a business. Or that we have no room to criticize developers spending their own money when we literally have commissions and review board for exactly such a purpose. We all have our hills to die on and mine is for the good of the people, community, and being less grateful for getting anything at all just for the sake of getting attention from a corporation. Edited November 15, 20231 yr by DTCL11
November 15, 20231 yr 8 hours ago, DTCL11 said: That's quite literally my point in saying the smaller companies, along with individuals, get disproportionately stuck with the bill while the fat cat Intel sits back and enjoys the heavy subsidies. I didn't miss that at all. But it further exemplifies my point in that you're excusing it because the others will take care of it. The trickle down tax benefits. And we should take it personally because the fact that there has been a decades old race to the bottom for taxing major corporations is part of what has decimated tax revenue streams that could help pay for things like better schools, infrastructure, transit, etc. We scratch our heads as to why we can't relive American Post War expansion and investment all while throwing money at the major companies leaving the burden on the smaller players. You, namely, also take any criticism of companies way too personal but I suppose that's the name of the game here. Let us not forget the outright SHELACKING you gave the forum community in DARING to push back against Indianola business owners who proposed sharrows instead of dedicated bike lanes. I believe you told us, in no uncertain terms, we have no right to criticize them because we have never owned, worked for, or known anyone who owns a business. Or that we have no room to criticize developers spending their own money when we literally have commissions and review board for exactly such a purpose. We all have our hills to die on and mine is for the good of the people, community, and being less grateful for getting anything at all just for the sake of getting attention from a corporation. I think we all need to first accept this whole deal is a bail out to a failing company (Intel). While there should be incentives for a project this size (given its cheaper to produce overseas), there are several other of its competitors that would have been much stronger to have here.
November 15, 20231 yr 5 hours ago, columbus17 said: I think we all need to first accept this whole deal is a bail out to a failing company (Intel). While there should be incentives for a project this size (given its cheaper to produce overseas), there are several other of its competitors that would have been much stronger to have here. How exactly is Intel failing? They’re building 4 multi billion dollar fabs globally, they’ll not have to outsource any production when they’re up and running. This isn’t Foxconn or whatever that company was that conned both Michigan and Wisconsin out of millions.
November 15, 20231 yr 13 hours ago, DTCL11 said: That's quite literally my point in saying the smaller companies, along with individuals, get disproportionately stuck with the bill while the fat cat Intel sits back and enjoys the heavy subsidies. I didn't miss that at all. But it further exemplifies my point in that you're excusing it because the others will take care of it. The trickle down tax benefits. And we should take it personally because the fact that there has been a decades old race to the bottom for taxing major corporations is part of what has decimated tax revenue streams that could help pay for things like better schools, infrastructure, transit, etc. We scratch our heads as to why we can't relive American Post War expansion and investment all while throwing money at the major companies leaving the burden on the smaller players. You, namely, also take any criticism of companies way too personal but I suppose that's the name of the game here. It's an anonymous public forum largely playing Sim City with urban centered projects and goals. Let us not forget the outright SHELACKING you gave the forum community in DARING to push back against Indianola business owners who proposed sharrows instead of dedicated bike lanes. I believe you told us, in no uncertain terms, we have no right to criticize them because we have never owned, worked for, or known anyone who owns a business. Or that we have no room to criticize developers spending their own money when we literally have commissions and review board for exactly such a purpose. We all have our hills to die on and mine is for the good of the people, community, and being less grateful for getting anything at all just for the sake of getting attention from a corporation. Schools in New Albany are well funded and will be… schools in the areas where fracking took place rebuilt and used that revenue wisely. If you’re looking at misappropriating funds then look at the inner city who have time and time again been defrauded out of millions by making terrible hires. I won’t go down that rabbit hole.
November 15, 20231 yr I would trust a future provided for me by an inner city school far more than a fracking area one.
November 16, 20231 yr 6 hours ago, GCrites said: I would trust a future provided for me by an inner city school far more than a fracking area one. Not going to get into it but that’s equally as ignorant as saying the reverse. Which is not what I said, my point was they misappropriate funds and put their students in the predicament they’re in due to poor leadership and corruption.
November 16, 20231 yr 50 minutes ago, GCrites said: It's the exact opposite of ignorant when it is one's own experience. There are successes and failures in both, we can agree on that. However you cannot deny the longstanding tradition of corruption and ineptitude at the top of the school systems in inner cities.
November 16, 20231 yr And with rural school land deals where they move all the schools way out of the towns which signs up the school system with a massive, permanent increase in transportation costs in order to favor landowners that know people on the school board and keeps any students from being able to walk to school.
December 10, 20231 yr Illuminate USA set to begin production in Pataskala next month "Production at Illuminate USA, one of the largest solar panel factories in the U.S., is expected to start in January, and crews are hard at work setting up the massive, $220 million Licking County plant that will eventually produce more than 9 million solar panels a year. The 1.1 million- square-foot plant, was announced in March and is the first company within the 350-acre Red Chip Farms development as part of the Pataskala Corporate Park. Illuminate USA’s total investment in Licking County is expected to top $600 million with the cost of equipment, raw materials, staff training and salaries, and everything else needed to start a new company, said Eric Heis, the company’s head of public affairs. When all eight lines are operating, Illuminate USA expects to make more than 1,000 solar panels per hour, he said. Panels will start rolling off lines one and two in January as construction workers will continue to set up the additional six lines throughout 2024, Heis said. By 2025, Illuminate USA’s goal to produce about 9.2 million solar panels a year, or 5 gigawatts." https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/pataskala/2023/12/10/see-inside-illuminate-usas-220-million-pataskala-solar-panel-factory/71598593007/
December 28, 20231 yr Microsoft continues to invest in Central Ohio- now has its sights set on 337 more acres east of Columbus Microsoft is going through the acquisition process to acquire two parcels west of Ohio 79, on both sides of the Hebron village-Union Township line, connecting to Canyon Road. A 238-acre Union Township parcel located at 323 N. High St., just west of Coshocton Grain, THK Manufacturing, State Industrial Products and Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle Systems. And a 99-acre Hebron parcel located immediately south of the Union Township parcel, at 129 High St. Microsoft wants the land for a data warehouse consisting of up to six buildings at full buildout. The company would pursue annexing the township land into the village and rezoning all the property. In June, Microsoft bought New Albany property located between Beech Road and the Licking-Franklin county line, north of Fitzwilliam Lane N.W., and less than a mile south of U.S. 62. This fall, the tech giant also bought three parcels on the north side of Refugee Road between Mink Street and Etna Parkway in the Pataskala Corporate Park. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2023/12/27/microsoft-eyes-300-acres-in-hebron-union-township-for-data-warehouse/72040332007/
December 28, 20231 yr 51 minutes ago, Luvcbus said: Microsoft continues to invest in Central Ohio- now has its sights set on 337 more acres east of Columbus Microsoft is going through the acquisition process to acquire two parcels west of Ohio 79, on both sides of the Hebron village-Union Township line, connecting to Canyon Road. Does this Canyon Road really have an canyon on it?
December 31, 20231 yr Intel shapes Licking County's 10 biggest development stories of 2023 "The Intel Corporation's January 2022 announcement of its plans to build a $20 billion computer chip manufacturing operation just south of Johnstown was clearly the top story of 2022 in Licking County. In 2023, the top stories were again Intel-related, as various developments began in preparation for the start of Intel production in 2025. Every developer mentions Intel at some point during the explanation of their plans. And there were several large land purchases, possibly for future developments. Leaders in every city, village and township in the county wondered how their community would fit in with the rapidly changing landscape and economy of Licking County. In Jersey Township, the massive earthmoving operation has replaced homes and farms, realigned streets and affected everyone in the immediate area..." Licking County's top 10 development stories of 2023 are detailed here: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/12/31/intel-plans-trigger-other-large-developments-around-licking-county/71932245007/
February 20, 20241 yr Illuminate USA begins production of solar panels in Pataskala "Licking County’s newest manufacturer seeks to help meet the country’s growing demand for green energy solutions while bringing 1,000 jobs to central Ohio. The first solar panels rolled off the line Thursday as Illuminate USA began production at its 1.1-million-squarefoot factory in Pataskala, which will be one of the nation’s largest advanced solar panel manufacturing facilities, the company announced in a news release. Illuminate USA will manufacture more than 9.2 million utility-scale solar panels annually at full capacity by the end of 2024. That equals 5 gigawatts of electricity production, enough to power 1 million homes. A gigawatt is equal to 1 billion watts. Illuminate USA’s total investment in Licking County is expected to top $600 million with the cost of equipment, raw materials, staff training and salaries, and everything else needed to start a new company. Illuminate USA was announced last March and is the first company within the 350-acre Red Chip Farms development as part of the Pataskala Corporate Park. The new company is a joint venture between renewable energy company Invenergy, a Chicago-based developer, and Chinese solar panel manufacturer LONGi." https://www.dispatch.com/news/
March 16, 20241 yr M/I Homes to begin construction on 254-unit, single-family neighborhood in Pataskala "Central Ohio's largest homebuilder is ready to begin construction on a new single-family neighborhood in Pataskala. M/I Homes will break ground this spring on Forest Ridge, a 254-unit community that will be built on 128 acres at 5155 Hazelton Etna Road SW. The site is located off State Route 310 between Broad Street and State Route 161. The addition of Forest Ridge comes as the region's population continues to grow. The Columbus metropolitan area grew faster than any other city in the nation in the second half of 2023, according to a Bank of America Institute ranking, and is projected to exceed 3 million residents by 2050." https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/03/12/m-i-homes-forest-ridge-neighborhood-pataskala-ohio.html
April 10, 20241 yr On 4/26/2023 at 8:07 AM, Airsup said: https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/granville/2023/04/26/denison-asks-to-annex-31-acres-into-granville-for-faculty-housing/70138772007/ It's nice to see Denison stepping into address some of the affordable housing issues in the area for their staff. "Granville Village Council members last week heard a proposal from Denison University to build up to 70 housing units for faculty on 31 acres of university land on New Burg Street across from Granville High School’s baseball field." " In the 1990s and early 2000s, we averaged 40-50% of our employees living in ZIP code 43023. In 2010-2019, that dropped down to 39%. In 2023, for the people we hired through April, it's 28%," he said. Denison plans to build the housing units in phases, with up to 30 units coming in the first phase. Some will be townhomes and others will be single-family homes ranging from one to three bedrooms, depending on the needs of future residents. The units will front on a common green space with vehicle access in the rear, said Granville resident Keith Myers, who is a landscape architect working with Denison on the project." Denison’s faculty housing plan gets final OK Granville Village Council has given the final approval for a Denison University project that will bring 70 units of faculty and staff housing to Granville’s New Burg Street. "Council members unanimously approved the project’s final development plan at Wednesday’s meeting. The project, which was first proposed a year ago, will bring 70 one- and two-bedroom apartments to 12 acres of the 31-acre parcel that was annexed into the village from Granville Township. The housing is clustered to preserve the forested area. The units will be built in two phases, with about 30 units included in the first phase, which is expected to take 14 months. Granville Village Manager Herb Koehler said in a Thursday interview that Denison has already cleared some trees on the property and is clear to start construction now that the final development plan is approved. The development, which is across from the Granville Middle and High School campus, will be accessed from New Burg Street." The village’s first roundabout, at New Burg and North Pearl streets will be built this summer as well. https://www.dispatch.com/
June 16, 2024Jun 16 Hebron approves Microsoft plan for data center development "The village of Hebron and Microsoft have finalized an agreement for the technology giant to build up to six data center buildings on more than 200 acres west of Ohio 79, between North High Street and Canyon Road. The development, which will employ at least 30 people per building, will be constructed in phases of one or two buildings at a time, Mayor Valerie Mockus said. Each building is estimated to have an investment of $500 million, meaning if the project is fully built the village could see an investment of $3 billion. The first data centers likely won't begin operating until 2026 or 2027, the mayor said. The agreement commits Microsoft to paying for road improvements on High Street, Enterprise Drive and Canyon Road, which will be extended from the end at Refugee Road to U.S. 40, a distance of about one-half mile." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/06/16/deal-sets-up-licking-county-hebron-for-billions-in-microsoft-data-center-investment/74102215007/
June 16, 2024Jun 16 Intel fueling Licking’s growth "The rest of the country is becoming familiar with Licking County, as Intel related growth continues to push the area into unprecedented lofty rankings. The latest is Licking County’s 10th place ranking in the nation for industrial space under construction among the largest 100 U.S. submarkets, according to data from Commercial-Search, an online marketplace for commercial real estate. Licking County is the fourth largest submarket of Columbus. Licking County has 2.9 million square feet under construction, and has the third highest growth rate among the top 100 U.S. submarkets, with 8% of its existing industrial real estate under construction. Licking County also has about 2.15 million square feet of speculative space under construction after completion of about 4.35 million square feet of speculative construction in the past 18 months, Fitzsimmons said. CommercialSearch states that Intel’s announcement “marked a pivotal moment in the Midwest’s resurgence as a manufacturing powerhouse. Since then, the ripple effect on Licking County’s industrial development has become increasingly apparent.” O’Neill said Southgate Corp.’s efforts in the Etna Corporate Park and the Pataskala Corporate Park have also added to the county’s industrial developments. The Etna Corporate Park started with 420 acres, but combined with the Pataskala Corporate Park, there is more than 1,000 acres, he said. “Southgate began developing it in 2000,” O’Neill said. “We didn’t envision it growing the way it has. As Columbus grew, it really expanded to the east.” https://www.dispatch.com/
July 16, 2024Jul 16 Pataskala OKs two more Etna Parkway warehouses "The Pataskala Corporate Park is continuing its growth spurt. The speculative buildings are the fifth and sixth distribution-style structures built by South Carolina-based Red Rock Developments, which built the 1.1-million-square-foot building now home to solar panel manufacturer Illuminate USA. Red Rock is also building a warehouse on Mink Street and two more on Etna Parkway, east of Illuminate USA. The structures are part of the 350-acre Red Chip Farms development within the city's corporate park. The warehouses at Etna Parkway and Refugee Road will each be 225,120 square feet and 46 feet high. The 43-acre site is bordered to the west by the roughly 300 acres purchased last year by Microsoft." https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/pataskala/2024/07/15/pataskala-oks-2-etna-parkway-red-rock-warehouses/74312063007/
July 18, 2024Jul 18 Lots of business happenings around Granville lately, as "downtown" is increasingly finding its way down South Main. • One Love Cafe & Bike Shop has opened on South Main in one of the old Granville Lumber spaces, next to Station and the bike trail. Long overdue, Granville is very much a bike town and I'm super excited to have a shop basically in my back yard. I've already stopped there once when I was riding on my lunch break to have my headset tightened, which they took care of for no charge. They also sell and rent bikes, plenty of demand for that since we do indeed get tourists in town. They also have Turkish coffee and Turkish pastries, which are excellent. • Steel is up for the Mill District development next to the fire station on South Main, planning to be done with the exterior by September with five spaces. Current tenants are Chipotle, Granville Vision Center, and a nail salon/hydration place. There has been some grumbling about a chain coming to town, but if it's actually a good Chipotle (since they seem to vary so much) I'm pretty happy to have the option right in town. • Chase Bank is about done with their extensive renovation of the old Brew's/Donato's building on Broadway. They've really done an amazing and extensive job restoring this building over the last year or so - there is something to be said for having bank-level money to throw at a project. I particularly like that the corner building now has windows on the alley side, instead of being a giant monolith like it was before. The real question is what becomes of their old space. https://www.thereportingproject.org/granville-business-news-new-bike-shop-and-cafe-opens-its-doors-mill-district-construction-underway/
July 18, 2024Jul 18 4 hours ago, mrCharlie said: Lots of business happenings around Granville lately, as "downtown" is increasingly finding its way down South Main. • One Love Cafe & Bike Shop has opened on South Main in one of the old Granville Lumber spaces, next to Station and the bike trail. Long overdue, Granville is very much a bike town and I'm super excited to have a shop basically in my back yard. I've already stopped there once when I was riding on my lunch break to have my headset tightened, which they took care of for no charge. They also sell and rent bikes, plenty of demand for that since we do indeed get tourists in town. They also have Turkish coffee and Turkish pastries, which are excellent. • Steel is up for the Mill District development next to the fire station on South Main, planning to be done with the exterior by September with five spaces. Current tenants are Chipotle, Granville Vision Center, and a nail salon/hydration place. There has been some grumbling about a chain coming to town, but if it's actually a good Chipotle (since they seem to vary so much) I'm pretty happy to have the option right in town. • Chase Bank is about done with their extensive renovation of the old Brew's/Donato's building on Broadway. They've really done an amazing and extensive job restoring this building over the last year or so - there is something to be said for having bank-level money to throw at a project. I particularly like that the corner building now has windows on the alley side, instead of being a giant monolith like it was before. The real question is what becomes of their old space. https://www.thereportingproject.org/granville-business-news-new-bike-shop-and-cafe-opens-its-doors-mill-district-construction-underway/ I've always hoped that one day there could be bike shop/cafe's along the trail in Johnstown and Alexandria. That would make for a great causal bike trip with reasons to stop at all three villages... well 2 villages and a city now. If they were positioned right with some supporting bike trails to bring people into the "downtowns" that could create something special.
July 19, 2024Jul 19 TOWNS, VILLAGES WORKING TO GET READY FOR INTEL A decade ago, Sean Barnes moved from downtown Columbus to Alexandria, a small village in Licking County that was far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Then came Intel Corp. The chipmaker’s $28 billion plant complex is going up on 1,000 acres in New Albany, just a few miles from his doorstep. “When I moved out here, I never imagined that the state’s largest economic development project would be happening just 5 or so miles down the road,” Barnes said. “It’s a daunting thing to try and digest.” And it’s only just beginning. The tech giant is poised to continue building at the site for years, potentially adding more production facilities in what could grow to a $100 billion investment. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/07/18/towns-villages-intel-central-ohio.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 19, 2024Jul 19 12 hours ago, ColDayMan said: TOWNS, VILLAGES WORKING TO GET READY FOR INTEL A decade ago, Sean Barnes moved from downtown Columbus to Alexandria, a small village in Licking County that was far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Then came Intel Corp. The chipmaker’s $28 billion plant complex is going up on 1,000 acres in New Albany, just a few miles from his doorstep. “When I moved out here, I never imagined that the state’s largest economic development project would be happening just 5 or so miles down the road,” Barnes said. “It’s a daunting thing to try and digest.” And it’s only just beginning. The tech giant is poised to continue building at the site for years, potentially adding more production facilities in what could grow to a $100 billion investment. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/07/18/towns-villages-intel-central-ohio.html Framework was a good idea. It would be a great idea if the people with actual decision making power considered it. I was involved in many of the Framework meetings from the start, some representing a local gov't in the area, and some representing myself as a resident. The problem. from what I've seen, is the people that make actual decisions and weigh influence, don't really give a squat about it. The biggest problem is the collusion between the county commissioners and the Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District. You can produce all the nice presentations with graphs, and data, and pictures, and outcomes people would like to see, but when you have those two powers making backroom deals for sewer and water service, it's all moot. Communities have been putting together master development plans, new zoning, or still just trying to figure out what they want to become. Then one day they wake up and read in the news that their township or village is now going to be covered by SLCWSD in some backroom deal that back stabbed many. Their business model is build to pay for their investments through heavy development. More taps - more billable customers. They can't even pay for their current planned water treatment facilities and want to build more, and those kinds of payments don't come from the type of development that the people who live where want to see. The water and sewer board has zero interest in expanding the their board to allow more representation from people in the areas they are taking over. The county commissioners and SLCWSD are the biggest enemies to Framework and most of the communities of western Licking county.
July 19, 2024Jul 19 45 minutes ago, Airsup said: Communities have been putting together master development plans, new zoning, or still just trying to figure out what they want to become. Then one day they wake up and read in the news that their township or village is now going to be covered by SLCWSD in some backroom deal that back stabbed many. Village of Granville has been pretty good (so far) about managing and regulating development within village boundaries. They are finally coming around to allowing smart growth, rather than the traditional no to everything. I hope that continues, including permitting more residential development (though the isn't a lot of undeveloped land within village limits). Unfortunately there seems to be an ongoing "if we do nothing, nothing will change" attitude in the surrounding townships, specifically those areas served by Granville schools which have already proven to be prime targets for annexation and service extensions. Alexandria/St Albans have the right idea going the Pataskala route and at least exploring a merger to have some additional tools to manage growth, though they need to hurry up before it no longer matters. (https://www.thereportingproject.org/st-albans-alexandria-merger-commission-granted-year-extension-for-research-writing-ballot-language/) I wish Granville and northern Union Township (Granville Schools areas) would do the same to gain some power to smartly manage growth. 1 hour ago, Airsup said: The county commissioners and SLCWSD are the biggest enemies to Framework and most of the communities of western Licking county. Absolutely correct. Kind of sad the same commissioners will get reelected, by the very people they have hurt the most, just because they have the right letter after their name on the ballot.
July 19, 2024Jul 19 18 hours ago, Airsup said: I've always hoped that one day there could be bike shop/cafe's along the trail in Johnstown and Alexandria. That would make for a great causal bike trip with reasons to stop at all three villages... well 2 villages and a city now. If they were positioned right with some supporting bike trails to bring people into the "downtowns" that could create something special. So much opportunity there, especially as the area grows and the bike trial gets even more popular. As it is, I ride it several times a week, and I'm only alone if it super cold and Im the only person dumb enough to ride outside. I rarely even bother with the trail on a nice weekend day. Agreed that downtown Johnstown and Alexandria feel very cutoff from the trail at the moment, and haven't really capitalized on it being there. Along with newer businesses next to the trail, Granville has a connector trail and sidewalks along Main leading into downtown, and I do regularly see people using them.
July 19, 2024Jul 19 10 minutes ago, mrCharlie said: So much opportunity there, especially as the area grows and the bike trial gets even more popular. As it is, I ride it several times a week, and I'm only alone if it super cold and Im the only person dumb enough to ride outside. I rarely even bother with the trail on a nice weekend day. Agreed that downtown Johnstown and Alexandria feel very cutoff from the trail at the moment, and haven't really capitalized on it being there. Along with newer businesses next to the trail, Granville has a connector trail and sidewalks along Main leading into downtown, and I do regularly see people using them. Unfortunately, there is a very "anti-bike" culture persistent with people in those two municipalities and surrounding areas. I see it every day with aggressive drivers projecting their own political insecurities onto bike riders. I suspect that will change quickly over the next 5-10 as the demographics change.
July 19, 2024Jul 19 33 minutes ago, mrCharlie said: Unfortunately there seems to be an ongoing "if we do nothing, nothing will change" attitude in the surrounding townships, specifically those areas served by Granville schools which have already proven to be prime targets for annexation and service extensions. Alexandria/St Albans have the right idea going the Pataskala route and at least exploring a merger to have some additional tools to manage growth, though they need to hurry up before it no longer matters. (https://www.thereportingproject.org/st-albans-alexandria-merger-commission-granted-year-extension-for-research-writing-ballot-language/) I wish Granville and northern Union Township (Granville Schools areas) would do the same to gain some power to smartly manage growth. It really is concerning how many people believe that being an ostrich is going to work. Willful ignorance. It's even more unsettling that a lot of this "change nothing / do nothing" messaging is coming from many of the farmers and other large land owners that are secretly looking for a pay day. They don't want merging because they want to sell and annex to New Albany or develop it. As much as many people like to believe New Albany and Intel just marched in and stole land, farmers sold out. It will be much more difficult or impossible for transactions like to happen if that land were no longer in a township.
July 19, 2024Jul 19 22 minutes ago, Airsup said: Unfortunately, there is a very "anti-bike" culture persistent with people in those two municipalities and surrounding areas. I see it every day with aggressive drivers projecting their own political insecurities onto bike riders. I suspect that will change quickly over the next 5-10 as the demographics change. This right here is why I pretty much only ride on the bike trial (which is fortunately only a block away), or mountain bike in the woods. I don't so much worry about the locals, but there is no shortage of lifted pickups with wheels sticking cutting through town.
December 4, 2024Dec 4 Microsoft buys another 43 acres in Pataskala for $11.4 million amid data center projects "As Microsoft plans to invest $1 billion in three data center campuses across Licking County, the tech giant is expanding its footprint in Pataskala as well. The company purchased another 43.17 acres at Etna Parkway and Refugee Road for $11.44 million on Nov. 14, according to the Licking County Auditor's website. The property is adjacent to 289 acres on Refugee Road that the company bought last fall for $30.65 million. Microsoft has been mum about plans for its Pataskala sites, but the company is spending $1 billion for data center campuses in New Albany, Heath and Hebron, with one building on each campus at first with the potential for several buildings on each site." https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/real-estate/2024/12/03/microsoft-ohio-data-center-projects-real-estate-business-property/76678143007/
December 11, 2024Dec 11 National Church Residences begins construction on Hebron senior living community An affordable housing community for senior citizens is coming to Hebron. National Church Residences recently closed on financing and began construction on Hebron Station, a 42-unit apartment complex at 3272 Hebron Road. The apartment homes will be available for people 55 and older. It is expected to be completed in early 2026. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/12/11/hebron-station-national-church-residences.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 12, 2024Dec 12 17 hours ago, ColDayMan said: National Church Residences begins construction on Hebron senior living community An affordable housing community for senior citizens is coming to Hebron. National Church Residences recently closed on financing and began construction on Hebron Station, a 42-unit apartment complex at 3272 Hebron Road. The apartment homes will be available for people 55 and older. It is expected to be completed in early 2026. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/12/11/hebron-station-national-church-residences.html Honestly this would be a horrible location to live. You're surrounded by factories, off of a pretty busy road with a lot of truck traffic and across the street is the wastewater treatment plant for Hebron.
December 12, 2024Dec 12 4 hours ago, TIm said: Honestly this would be a horrible location to live. You're surrounded by factories, off of a pretty busy road with a lot of truck traffic and across the street is the wastewater treatment plant for Hebron. Looks like the only place walkable would be a Speedway.
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