Plain City looks to annex 550 acres for mixed-use business park
Plain City is looking to annex about 550 acres for a new business park. The village’s council and planning and zoning commission reviewed plans last week for Creekview Commerce Park, a mixed-use commercial and industrial development to be built off Route 42 between Rickard and Converse roads. The project’s developer, Columbus-based Highland Real Estate, was on hand to present preliminary plans to council and commission members. Though the project is in its early stages, Plain City Development Manager Jason Stanford said initial plans were well received. “I think we’re all comfortable saying that we are supportive of this,” Stanford said. “We envision a public-private partnership with the developer and will work closely with them on bringing this initial concept to life.
“We’re pretty darn excited about it.” Stanford said that Highland is working with the current property owners to acquire and annex the agricultural land from Jerome Township to the village. That will be done in two phases, starting with roughly 330 acres. He said the annexation process likely will last through the rest of the year and possibly into the first quarter of 2025. At the same time, the village and developer will work through the rezoning and planning process. Stanford said the goal is for the project to receive zoning and preliminary development approval about the same time the annexation is approved. “We should have all that done within the next six months or so,” he said, adding that the site should be ready for development within 18 to 24 months. “That’s the ideal timeline for us.”
Stanford described Creekview as an “all-encompassing” development with sites planned for retail, restaurants, hotels, conference centers, parks, medical offices, advanced manufacturing, technology and flex office/industrial. The service-focused amenities will have Route 42 frontage, office/light industrial will be located in the middle portion of the site and the larger industrial developments will be constructed toward the back of the property, he said. Stanford said there won’t be any residential development because the village is focused more on bringing amenities and jobs for current and future residents.
“The residential growth in Plain City has been crazy and we’re happy to be getting more residents here, but now we need to also provide the services they need like grocery stores, doctor’s offices, gas stations, things like that,” he said. “The other main goal of this project is to provide opportunities for new businesses to come here and for our existing businesses to be able to expand.” Stanford said he is confident that Creekview will provide a significant economic boost for Plain City. “This is about planting our flag in the ground and letting the rest of Ohio know that Plain City is open for business,” he said. “I think it’s about time we let people know that.” Stanford said these planned amenities should also extend to the broader region, which is growing rapidly. Stanford added that the Creekview site’s location near the Route 42 and 33 thoroughfares and its proximity to larger cities including Dublin and Marysville are also why he thinks the development is poised for success. “This is a fantastic project from purely an economic development standpoint,” he said. “It will take our region up a notch.”
SOURCE: By John Bush – Staff reporter, Columbus Business First