Council Vote Continues Transformation of Long-Blighted Land into Confluence Village
Agreements
reinforce City commitment to local minority contractors and affordable housing
construction
[COLUMBUS, OH] With a vote on Monday, May 4, 2020, Columbus City
Council will continue advancing the transformation of long-vacant land into a
modern mixed-use district called Confluence Village. Anchored by the new Crew
Stadium, this district will feature a city-owned revenue-generating parking
garage, private commercial and retail space, as well as new apartments at a mix
of prices including 20 percent of units affordable for the local
workforce.
"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
Councilmember Shayla Favor. "We are thankful to the Haslam Sports Group,
The Pizzuti Companies and the Edwards Family for their commitment to the people
of Columbus."
The Confluence Village design plan includes 440 residential
units. To meet the City of Columbus affordable housing standards, 10 percent of
the apartments will be at 80 percent area median income and 10 percent at 100
percent area median income.
“City Council believes affordable housing is a cornerstone of
building strong neighborhoods,” said Council President Shannon G. Hardin.
“Housing Chair Shayla Favor made our commitment to affordability clear as the
new district’s planning evolved, and we are proud to see the Haslam and Edwards
families join with The Pizzuti Companies committing 20 percent of these 440
units to be workforce affordable.”
The vote will launch the initial design development phase of the
project. Awarded to minority-owned architectural firm Moody Nolan, Inc., 1.25
acres of vacant downtown land will become a revenue-generating, City-owned
garage. The Confluence Village Parking Garage project reaffirms the Council’s
commitment to supporting minority-owned businesses.
"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, this revenue-generating garage will
benefit the district and all Columbus for the long-term," said Hardin.
The Haslam and Edwards’ development team announced the Crew’s
partnership with The Pizzuti Companies earlier today.
In the last five years, the City of Columbus increased its
spending with minority suppliers for City contracts by 50 percent from 2016 to
2017, resulting in the creation of more than $53 million in new contracts. A
total of 13.5 percent of City contracts which equates to $66.7 million dollars
were awarded to minority- or women-owned businesses in 2019.
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 newly created Confluence Village is located in the Downtown
District and 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. Construction
is scheduled to begin in 2021 and completed in 2022. The new Crew Stadium is
expected to open in July 2021.
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