Work could start as soon as this summer on a 100-unit apartment building at the northeast corner of South Grant Avenue and Oak Street Downtown.
The project is a joint venture between Capital University – which owns the one-acre lot and has used it for parking for years – and the Pizzuti Companies.
“Capital Law School has long contributed to the vibrancy of the Discovery District,” Capital President Elizabeth L. Paul, Ph.D., said in a press release. “The redevelopment of this surface lot will help strengthen the use of space in the area and is a natural extension of Capital’s commitment to lifting up our neighborhoods and building community.”
Plans call for a six-story building with four floors of apartments above structured parking and ground-level retail space. The intent is to enhance the walkability of the neighborhood, with walk-up units facing Oak Street. The unit mix will range from studios to two-bedroom apartments.
The new building would sit in between a couple of major new developments on Oak Street – a nine-story apartment building that is under construction on the next block to the west, and a five-story project to the east, to be built on land owned by Motorists Insurance Group. The plan for the Motorists lot was approved by the Downtown Commission in December.
“We’re thrilled to announce both this project and the partnership with Capital University,” said Joel S. Pizzuti, president of The Pizzuti Companies. “The Discovery District is Columbus’ next great neighborhood… there exists a combination of higher education, art, culture, major employers, a beautiful park, and a world-class library. This combination is unique to Columbus.”