Hotel Conference Center “Before” and proposed “After” design concepts.
Project Summary
In 2018, the Bartholomew County Heritage Fund supported an initiative called Envision Columbus to study the needs and potential for future growth in Columbus. That study identified 3 opportunity zones for development; commercial, residential and park systems. The commercial area targeted the 2nd and 3rd Street corridor in downtown Columbus as an area that could be revitalized into a destination that would attract cultural, dining and entertainment opportunities. Their recommendations included a hotel/conference center, urban grocer and multi-family housing as vital to the growth of the area and a building block for further public and private development.
In late 2019, the Columbus Redevelopment Commission chose the development team of Sprague Hotel Developers and real estate developers, Flaherty & Collins Properties to take the lead in the development of a hotel/conference center, urban grocer and multi-family housing in downtown Columbus. In February, 2020 a Term Sheet was executed as an agreement between all parties in regard to the scope of the project. The developers quickly began contacting potential hotel brands and grocers and found a great deal of interest from businesses in regard to locating a new property in downtown Columbus. At the request of the developers, the Commission has authorized a traffic study be completed involving 2nd and 3rd Streets and the possibility of converting those streets to two-way traffic. The process has also been put in motion to rezone the potential properties for commercial development.
The primary elements of the project are a branded conference hotel, which can be a full-service “lite” brand or select-service “plus” brand with the following elements:
- 140+/- Guest Rooms
- 9,000+/-SF Divisible Ballroom
- 4,000 – 5,000 SF of Divisible Breakout Meeting Rooms (at least five divisions)
- 3-Meal Restaurant that activates the street and has as much street presence as possible, likely on a corner.
- Parking for the hotel and conference center. Currently estimated to be 380+/- spaces.
- Urban Grocery on the property or in the immediate vicinity
Timeline:
- 2018: Envision Columbus: Downtown Strategic Development plan studies the needs and potential for future growth in Columbus. The study recommendations included a hotel/conference center, urban grocer and multi-family housing as vital to the growth of the area and a building block for further public and private development.
- June 2018: CRC engaged Hunden Strategic Partners (HSP), a leading advisor in Destination Real Estate Development, to perform a market and financial feasibility study for a potential conference center and hotel in downtown, Columbus.
- Late 2018: HSP provides their findings to the community. There is a need for an approximately 140 room hotel and 9,000 sq. ft. of ballroom/meeting space.
- March 2019: CRC issues an RFQ for hotel/conference center developers and multi-family/urban grocer developers.
- July 2019: CRC invites four pre-qualified finalist teams to respond to an RFP for a hotel/conference center and multi-family/urban grocer development.
- Late 2019: The Columbus Redevelopment Commission chose the development team of Sprague Hotel Developers and real estate developers, Flaherty & Collins Properties to take the lead in the development of a hotel/conference center, urban grocer and multi-family housing in downtown Columbus.
- February 2020: A Term Sheet was executed as an agreement between all parties in regard to the scope of the project. The developers quickly began contacting potential hotel brands and grocers and found a great deal of interest.
- March 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic hits and the hospitality industry is crippled.
- 2020: The Commission has authorized a traffic study be completed involving 2nd and 3rd Streets and the possibility of converting those streets to two-way traffic.
- 2021: Continuing project and communication efforts, despite COVID-19’s crippling effect on the hospitality industry.
- Spring/Summer 2022: The CRC approved a proposal from Hunden Strategic Partners to update the existing 2018 Market and Feasibility study as these factors relate to the proposed Hotel Conference Center. The updated proposal was provided to the CRC during a public session. The CRC and administration continue to have conversations with Sprague Hotel Developers in regards to the Redevelopment Tax Credit Program and a Project Agreement moving forward.
- Late Summer/Fall 2022: The City has begun exploring site clearing and cleanup resources for the location where the existing Court Services building is located, i.e. the site where the future Hotel/Conference Center will be constructed. The CRC and administration continue to communicate with Sprague Hotel Developers on this project and also the timeline associated with the newly constructed Court Services Center anticipated move-in date. A Project Agreement is under review by Sprague Hotel Developers.
- November 2022: Patriot Engineering has been selected to complete the environmental site cleanup through use of POSI funds. Concurrently, the future developers of the site, Sprague Hotel Developers, are reviewing a project agreement provided by the Columbus Redevelopment Commission.
- December 2022: The City, Redevelopment Commission and Sprague Hotel Developers met to discuss the terms of the Project Agreement. Concurrently, the CRC was working to engage August Mack to conduct an asbestos survey on the existing Probation Center, and also Renascent, Inc. to demo the building once it is cleared by August Mack.
- January 2023: August Mack and Renascent Inc. were engaged at the January CRC meeting. Additionally, the CRC began working to engage an architect to design the parking garage structure for the hotel/conference center site.
- February 2023: Throughout the month of February, the CRC engaged in several conversations with atelierRISTING regarding updated schematic drawings for the Lafayette Avenue Parking Garage.
- March 2023: The CRC delivers a parking garage update to the IEDC for the READI funding received on this project. Also, throughout the month of March, Police, Fire, the Sheriff’s Department, a K-9 Unit, and additional safety personnel utilize the existing Probation Center for response training opportunities.
- April 2023: Construction fencing goes up around the old Probation Center to prepare for the demolition. Near the end of the month, Renascent Inc. completes the demolition and cleanup of the former Probation Center building.
Phase 1 Environmental Reports