Developer seeks approval for former hotel site plans

A vacant property at the gateway into Columbus could see some development, under a proposal before city planners today.

According to documents submitted to the Columbus Plan Commission, Midland Atlantic Properties is asking to divide up the 20-acre lot where the former Holiday Inn and later Clarion hotel stood at the intersection of State Road 46 or Jonathan Moore Pike and Interstate 65. The goal would be to create seven developable lots and a common area for the property. Four of the commercial lots would have frontage on the state highway.

The property was purchased by Columbus Regional Health in 2017 and after demolition of the former hotel the site was used to store rubble from construction projects on Interstate 65. That rubble was then used as fill dirt to raise parts of the property subject to frequent flooding.

Plans for a Bloomington developer to buy and redevelop the property in 2021 fell through. Since then, it has been vacant. Property records show an assessed value of $2.3 million for the CRH-owned property.

The city planning staff is recommending a continuance of the request so the developer can address issues with sidewalks, street length and design of a cul-de-sac in the plans.

The plan commission meets at 4 p.m. this afternoon at Columbus City Hall

Map courtesy of Columbus Planning Department