More than just Intel: 10 central Ohio developments to pay attention to in 2024

High interest rates, labor shortages, material costs and remote work have put a lid on some central Ohio developments, but there's still plenty of projects underway that could shape the region's landscape for years to come. East side, west side and all around the town, here are 10 projects to keep an eye on in 2024.

The Merchant Building

What's happening: After years of discussion and preparation (including months spent removing unidentified graves from the site), work is finally underway on the 32-story "Merchant Building" development on the parking lot of Downtown's North Market. When done, the $350 million project is expected to include a 212-room hotel with event space, 172 residences, 68,000 square feet of offices, a 353-space parking deck, multiple restaurants and bars, and an expansion of the North Market itself. 

What to watch: The project has been beset by delays and rising costs, prompting the developers, Rockbridge and The Edwards Cos., to successfully ask the city twice for assistance. As work gets going, will the developers need to return to the city for more help? And how long can the North Market itself operate in the middle of a construction zone and without a parking lot before vendors feel the pinch?

Airport terminal

What's happening:Initial plans were drawn up in 2023 for a new terminal at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, estimated to cost $2 billion. At 1 million square feet, the new terminal would be roughly the same size as the existing one, but would have one concourse instead of the current three and be capable of handling more large planes and far more traffic.

What to watch: 2024 won't bring a new terminal to the airport but the year could be critical nonetheless for the project. Look for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority to make a decision, likely this summer, on whether to move forward on the project. If so, work could start by the end of the year, and be completed within five years.

TruePointe

What's happening: Work began in 2023 on the $200-million TruePointe development on the east side of Interstate 270 south of Davidson Road in Hilliard. When done, the project is expected to include 15 buildings including 300,000 square feet of offices, 359 apartments, a 108-room hotel, 42,000 square feet of restaurants and shops and two parking garages.

What to watch: TruePointe isn't Intel, but has nonetheless shifted some development energy back to the west side of central Ohio. One office anchor, Advanced Drainage Systems, has committed to occupying about 75,000 square feet at TruePointe, or about one-fourth the total office space, leaving the big question: Who will fill the rest of the space? TruePointe's developer, Equity, remains confident it will fill the buildings. While the development isn't expected to open until 2025, keep an eye open for some tenant announcements in 2024.

Bridge Park

What's happening: Bridge Park has become the downtown of the Northwest Side in a remarkably short time — seven years since the first building was erected. The project now includes two hotels, more than 30 restaurants, 520 apartments, about 200 condominiums, a senior center and more than 400,000 square feet of offices.

What to watch: An office building and other tenants including Intown Golf Club are expected to open this year in the main part of Bridge Park, but also look this year for the development to jump Rt. 161 to the south. In a partnership with Cameron Mitchell, Bridge Park's developers Crawford Hoying are planning a hotel, restaurant and event space, along with offices, raising the same question the TruePointe development faces a few miles to the south: Where will big office users come from? Also keep an eye this year on the west side of the Scioto River, where the "Riverview Village" development will add some some historic and modest-scale charm to Bridge Park.

Gay and High, Downtown

What's happening: The slow post-COVID return to offices has kept Downtown out of the development spotlight for a few years, but a few projects continue to motor along. Leasing has begun on Preston Centre, the new name for the former PNC building on East Broad Street, although several components of that development have yet to be completed. A few doors down, the 195 E. Broad St. apartment building is expected to open this year, as is the conversion of the Continental Centre building on East Gay Street into apartments.

What to watch: It may not be the biggest Downtown project, but one of the more intriguing spots to keep an eye on this year is the east side of North High Street north of Gay Street. There, The Edwards Cos. is erecting a 14-story apartment building and renovating three old buildings — the former Madison's Department Store, the White Haines building and a 1910 building on the corner of Gay and High. When done, the buildings will house galleries, restaurants and apartments, breathing more life into an up-and-coming corner of Downtown, now marked by the city's largest piece of public art.

Heading to the malls

What's happening: The changing nature of retail has left two Columbus malls, Eastland and Westland, closed, while a third, The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, struggles under new ownership. All sites could see some changes this year.

What to watch: As Eastland mall enters its second year of being closed, city officials continue to seek the solution for the Southeast Side property. On the West Side, the deck has been cleared for redevelopment of the Westland Mall site. Don't look for more retail to take the mall's place. More likely: apartments, health care or industrial uses. And finally, a few miles up Interstate 270, questions remain about the future of the Mall at Tuttle Crossing, which has been acquired by a company known for holding on to properties instead of investing in them.

Grandview Crossing

What's going on: Work began on Grandview Crossing in late 2019, nearly 20 years after the development was proposed for the site of a former landfill on the north side of Dublin Road east of Grandview Avenue. When completed, the 55-acre site is expected to include 1,300 apartments, 250,000 square feet of offices, a hotel and 108,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

What to watch: Grandview Crossing has motored along, with one building steadily following another. Several apartment buildings have opened or are about to open, with more than 650 apartments so far, along with a strip that includes the Rail restaurant and an office building anchored by BMW Financial Services. But this will be the year the project starts to truly look like its renderings. A 3-acre park with a dog area and pickleball court is expected to be finished by April, followed in May by a new food hall opening onto the park with at least nine vendors including a new Bada Bean Bada Booze.

Intel & more

What's going on: By now, everyone knows of Intel's plans to build two — and possibly more — semiconductor chip factories in New Albany. The company broke ground in September 2022 on the $20 billion project, which is expected to employ 3,000 workers when it opens in 2025.

What to watch: Intel isn't expected to open for nearly two years, leaving two questions for 2024: Will it remain on schedule? And who might join it? So far, the answer to the first is yes. The second is more complicated. While a blue-chip roster of companies is setting up shop near Intel including Amazon and Microsoft, and a 400-acre mixed-use project is planned just north of Intel in Johnstown, Intel suppliers have so far been mum about joining the fray, even though 250 acres have been set aside for them.

Franklinton

What's going on: The center of Columbus continued to shift to the west in 2023, with several major developments on the west side of the Scioto River in Franklinton. The first phase of The Peninsula development opened next to COSI Columbus with offices, apartments and a hotel. Around the corner, on West Broad Street, the second phase of the Gravity development also started to open.

What to watch: This year, work will get underway on The Peninsula's second phase, eventually bringing more apartments and a grocery store in a 24-story tower, along with a new hotel featuring a two-story Pins Mechanical venue. The Gravity development will fully open, bringing an office building, townhomes, an entertainment spot called Punch Bowl Social, at least one restaurant, Prim Mason, and the first warm season of the Gravity Experience Park. Work is also expected to start on the second phase of the River & Rich apartment complex on West Rich Street. Will this also be the year two big developers — Pizzuti and Nationwide Realty Investors — announce plans for their property in Franklinton?

Buckstone, Obetz

What's going on: Work got underway last year on Buckstone, an 800-acre mixed-use development south of Rathmell and east of Lockbourne roads in Obetz. When completed, the project, adjacent to Big Walnut Creek, will be a community unto itself, with 143 acres of commercial development, nearly 700 single-family homes, 288 apartments, and loads of outdoor amenities.

What to watch: Buckstone Flats apartment complex has opened in the development, and Pulte Homes is building houses in the Buckstone Bend portion. Look this year for more homes and more infrastructure including boulevards on Rathmell and Lockbourne, in anticipation of senior housing and outdoor amenities, before the commercial district starts in the heart of the development.

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker