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The Dispatch wrote
Plans percolating for Arena District
Thursday, May 15, 2008
BY MIKE PRAMIK
The final development phase of the Arena District is in the works, a $280 million expansion that would make the Downtown neighborhood a billion-dollar venture.
Nationwide Realty Investors, the district’s developer, wants to build a 220-unit apartment complex north of Nationwide Arena, just south of a site that could become an 85,000-squarefoot Giant Eagle store. More development would follow, including additional offices and stores, said Brian Ellis, president of Nationwide Realty.
Details of the Giant Eagle property also have yet to be hammered out, but the store would go up at the northeast corner of Neil and Vine. It’s the same site that Whole Foods had targeted for a supermarket as part of a Casto mixed-use center. That deal, which would have included stores and condos, fell apart when Whole Foods pulled out.
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I agree that it was a good spot to be in, but I think moving it to the sidewalk wouldn’t have done anything for their space constraints, and besides, if they’re looking to build a whole new building anyway, at least this way they don’t have to demolish the old one to make parking behind the store, like they would if they renovated the Neil site.
I know Kroger’s doing that in Weinland Park, but it’s not a common occurrence.
The apartments and condos in the Arena District have been selling fairly well, actually. In fact, despite the fact that, among all Columbus’ urbanist developments of the past decade, the AD has occasioned more flack than most from commenters on this site because of its “corporate” feel (and origin), the business model has been extraordinarily successful, which is why they keep expanding in the area with such gusto. I don’t know what the vacancy rate is in Arena Crossing, but given what they’re charging for rent, it’s gotta be in demand. There are maybe two or three resale units available at Burnham Square (out of something like 94) and no original-sale units. With a grocery store in easier walking proximity (it was within walking distance before, but it will be substantially more convenient at the new location), those places will become even more desirable. Also, while there was more land area developed in close proximity to the Neil Ave. site, the Arena District isn’t finished growing yet … and the parts of it that have grown have generally grown more vertically than VV has, which means that it doesn’t have to serve the same land area to be viable.
I do wish there was some way to make the Neil-670 underpass more pedestrian-friendly, though. If you could break that psychological barrier the way the High St. cap did to the east, you’d find that it really wasn’t much farther a walk. Eight to ten minutes, maybe, though I understand that that could be a lot for someone carrying groceries.
I agree that it was a good spot to be in, but I think moving it to the sidewalk wouldn’t have done anything for their space constraints, and besides, if they’re looking to build a whole new building anyway, at least this way they don’t have to demolish the old one to make parking behind the store, like they would if they renovated the Neil site.
I know Kroger’s doing that in Weinland Park, but it’s not a common occurrence.
My concept/dream, actually had parking above the store.
Anyway, the specifics aren’t really that important, because its a lot easier to start from scratch. Especially since it would severely hamper their abilit to sell groceries.
However, if you ever want to see an amazing expansion of a grocery store ( a Giant Eagle, coincidentally), check out the Center Avenue Giant Eagle in Pittsburgh. It is in a entirely urban neighborhood but suffered from a 1970s style suburban design. In an effort to compete with a brand new whole foods down the block and the impending (at the time) opening of TJs a bit further down the block, they went upscale, and buried their parking and brought their store front out closer to the street.
Store looks great, its prolly the nicest Geagle that I’ve ever shopped in.
This has already been touched upon but I want to chime on on the importance of the currently bland spot occupied by Giant Eagle at Neil and Buttles. If Whole Foods were to come to Victorian Village, imagine the beautification of what is currently not what it should be. The site in all actuality could use a mixed use property to include beautiful residential units. Undeveloped land in Victorian Village is quite scarce, especially in such a prime location as this, one that is key to Neil Avenue, the Short North and OSU traffic. Build something well and make sure it fits with the neighborhood and it will sell in that spot. A Whole Foods could anchor it
Giant Eagle coming to the Arena District excites me beyond belief. That puts a grocery store even closer within a practical walking distance for me. I am all for it.
We can all hope that either Trader Joes or Whole Foods comes to the Casto owned plaza where Giant Eagle currently holds court. Either would be great but I think Whole Foods would bring the most to that spot.
I wish that there was a copy of the rendering that Nationwide submitted to the city. I hope that at least the exterior design is as cool if not more so than the Arena Crossing. That spot is hot
Agreed! I understand not being able to walk will suck, but for those of us that live just a little outside the easily walkable zone now, I’m all in favor of a new and improved store. I can’t tell you how many times I got in the current GE and they’re out of something I need or don’t carry it period.
When I moved here in Dec 05 I gambled and went on the waitlist for AC thinking I had Brewer’s Yard to fall back on. I got lucky that an apt opened up 2 weeks before I moved from Texas. When I got my house and wanted to move out early there was still a wait list for my apt so I was able to get out without any penalty. It was awesome!!
I’m stumped by so much of this discussion.
1. Giant Eagle took over this location in the absence of the Big Bear. It’s not as if they were ever too tied to it. It is much smaller than the average location, and doesn’t allow them nearly the space for produce, prepared foods, organic, drycleaners, bank, etc…. that other locations do (and probably the forthcoming new Kroger will).
2. The current location does not allow for them to have a Getgo, which is a huge profit center. The new location will. For me this is great, as I exclusively use G Eagle fuel points for @$2.40 off per month. Having one closer than Grandview or Clintonville is a plus for my once a month fill-up.
3. 670 really did some damage on the neighborhood psyche. It is seriously less than 1/2 mile away. People cannot walk or bike this extra 1/2 mile. I’m fluxomed (but i remember similar comments that the AD needed a drug store, when CVS is 1/2 mile away).
4. I think this could help the North Market actually. People like one-stop shopping. If you want to head to the NM now (which apparently is hard given it’s 1/2 mile from the VV) for fresh fish, artisanal bread, advice on fine cheese, fancy beer and a pint of Jeni’s, it’s a separate trip than the venture to GE for milk, oj, tp, unfancy beer and wheat thins. This makes them one trip on foot, bike or car.
5. The only downside I foresee is the empty space of the old store. I don’t think Whole Foods is on its way, they already have 2 in town with the nearest in Arlington. A Trader Joes would fit that imprint, so we can always think about that, but they unfortunately seem rooted in the suburbs here. Or they could level the whole thing and put in some nice mixed use properties that actually front Neil (as long as Spinelli’s was relocated immediately and preferibly closer to my house).
I agree! As much as I love North Market (heck, I used to work in Grapes of Mirth), people who want to migrate to Downtown need toilet paper and other sundry goods as much as they need the perfect falafel, and they’d probably rather avoid a lengthy commute to do so.
Considering all of the Big Bear stores that never reopened after the Giant Eagle buyout, the people in Vic Village have nothing to bitch about. I love that they are moving. I think the whole shopping center should be replaced with housing, personally.
Or at least an international aisle? Where can a guy get tahini within 5 miles of downtown?
The Mediterranean grocery next to the liquor store that is just north of Hudson St. has tahini and all your other Middle Eastern food needs for pennies on the dollar. Five miles from downtown, it’s a close call.
Why can’t we get a GE on the East side? Near East side? Closest one is GV, which is pretty far to drive for groceries. I don’t like Kroger -_-
Or at least an international aisle? Where can a guy get tahini within 5 miles of downtown?
you can get tahini at the north market.
I totally agree that highways can be a barrier, but at least when I-670 was widened, they put in sidewalks on Neil. It used to be a dirt/broken glass path.
Beyond the grocery debate, I think it is great that there will be more residential housing neighboring downtown. The GE simply seals the deal.
And for the record, I’ll still drive down from Marysville to visit the North Market. Probably won’t visit the GE since we have a super huge Walmart :D
We can all hope that either Trader Joes or Whole Foods comes to the Casto owned plaza where Giant Eagle currently holds court. Either would be great but I think Whole Foods would bring the most to that spot.
What makes you think that either of these stores would be willing to completely overhaul that property into something mixed-use and/or urban? Their other central ohio locations are all suburban in design and they seem to have no problem with that.
We can all hope that either Trader Joes or Whole Foods comes to the Casto owned plaza where Giant Eagle currently holds court. Either would be great but I think Whole Foods would bring the most to that spot.
What makes you think that either of these stores would be willing to completely overhaul that property into something mixed-use and/or urban? Their other central ohio locations are all suburban in design and they seem to have no problem with that.
but aren’t their other central ohio locations in the “suburbs”……
perhaps whole foods will see the benefit in occupying a more friendly location……but after their stock price tanked the other day, who knows what they are thinking interms of opening new stores.
One important thing that seems to be escaping everyone here…including City Hall and Nationwide Realty; the land everyone is talking about (South of Vine and bordered by the railroad and Neil Avenue could also someday find use as a site for an intermodal transportation center…. a new Union Station. We already lost the old Union Station site due to development of the original Downtown Convention Center / Hyatt Regency and then the new Convention Center and the roadways around it (I-670 ramps and an access road that was built on the railroad right of way.
How much more land to we have to lose before we realize we’re not just gaining a grocery store…. we’re losing a major transportation development asset?
Whole Foods already has a massive operation in the Columbus area out by Filene’s Basement and it’s extremely rare that they open two stores in the same metro area; they’re simply not that big a chain compared to Kroger, Wal-Mart, and AFAIK even Giant Eagle.
If I had to take a shot in the dark, I’m guessing that whatever replaces the Giant Eagle (a) will not be a grocery store, and (b) will not significantly overhaul the entire property (e.g., move the whole building to the curb, build residences up above, etc.).
How much more land to we have to lose before we realize we’re not just gaining a grocery store…. we’re losing a major transportation development asset?
Well, considering anything that would be running on the existing rail lines would be 10-20 years down the road, I don’t think that much is lost. They city could always look to the future and have the developers adopt a regional transit center as part of the zoning or development. This was discussed by a few in the Westland thread for the redevelopment of that site. Maybe start it off as a COTA center, then transition to the (future) Columbus Metro?
Hopefully this stems the “But there is nothing downtown” argument. Moving it the 1/2 mile south, and breaking down the barrier of 670 should do a lot to change perceptions of downtown livability. It can’t come at a cost to Victorian Village/Short North residents though. Maybe we can get an urban styled mini-Lowes for Cyclist in that space?
For the most part, yes. The Wild Oats on Lane was just remodeled after Whole Foods took them over and they didn’t go out of their way to turn that development into something more “urban”. I’m just skeptical that they’ll see the benefit in doing something similar at Neil even if they were contemplating a store there (which I don’t think they are).
I agree that it probably won’t be a grocery, but I’m not sure about (b). I think that all depends on who takes over the space, and whether or not they own the whole plaza, as well as what the lease options look like for the other tenants there.
Are you serious?
Philadelphia
New York
Denver
I could keep going, there are plrenty of large, and medium sized cites/MSAs with mulitple WF stores.
I think based on the spacing, a whole foods located in VV to serve the central core neighborhoods wouldn’t be even approaching the saturation point of a city with this many people.