COLUMBUS – A plan to transform vacant land near the Arena District into a multi-use development anchored by the new home of the Columbus Crew took two big steps forward Monday.
Crew owners Haslam Sports Group and the Edwards family announced a partnership with The Pizzuti Companies to develop Confluence Village on land adjacent to the Crew’s new stadium, scheduled to open in July 2021.
Phase I of the development includes office and other commercial non-office space, affordable apartments and green space, according to officials with the companies.
Led by @sdfavor, Council just voted to continue the transformation Confluence Village, the upcoming downtown district anchored by the new #Crew96 stadium. This district will feature a city-owned parking garage, retail space and apartments including 20% affordable units. #CCC4U
— Columbus City Council (@ColumbusCouncil) May 4, 2020
To meet the City of Columbus affordable housing standards, 10 percent of the 440 apartments will be affordable for residents at 80 percent of the area median income and another 10 percent at 100 percent area median income, Columbus City Council president Shannon Hardin said.
“On the outset of this project, we made a clear commitment to invest in neighborhoods, create living-wage jobs, support minority-owned enterprises and make a definitive commitment to affordable housing,” said council member Shayla Favor, chair of the city council housing committee.
Meanwhile, City Council voted to launch the initial design phase for a city-owned parking garage on 1.25 acres of vacant land. The minority-owned architectural firm Moody Nolan, Inc., was awarded the contract for designing the garage.
The new parking garage will contain approximately 600-750 spaces to support the parking needs of the 120,000 square feet of office, 30,000 square feet of retail space and events at the stadium.
“The new Confluence Village district is an exciting next step for Columbus. By focusing on supporting minority-owned businesses and adding to our affordable housing stock, these projects will benefit the district and all Columbus for the long-term,” said Hardin.
Confluence Village is bounded by West Nationwide Boulevard to the south, the Olentangy River to the west, I-670 to the north and CSX railroad to the east.