"No comments" about the status of Scioto Peninsula, North Market tower, Millennial Tower as questions swirl over several large central Ohio construction projects.

The central Ohio landscape might be in the midst of its biggest transformation in a generation, with cranes and backhoes found from Grove City to Sunbury.

Several projects underway promise to be transformative. The proposed Columbus Crew stadium in the Arena District, for example, has already helped save the Crew while helping to anchor a true sports district.

A handful of other projects hold great promise — if they happen. Such huge Downtown developments as the Scioto Peninsula mixed-use project and the North Market renovation and tower remain in limbo while those in charge say little about them publicly.

As we move into 2019, we take a look at five big projects that are bound to make a major impact in Columbus, and five that could.

Moving forward



White Castle campus: The new headquarters building rising for Columbus-based White Castle is clearly visible from Interstate 670, but it is just the first piece of a $65-million mixed-use development called The Reach on Goodale. The first office building will replace the burger chain's iconic but dated headquarters on Goodale Street. Set to follow on the 21-acre site are several more buildings that will contain 254 apartments, event space and more offices, with views of the Downtown skyline.

Easton Town Center addition: L Brands founder Leslie H. Wexner has spoken for years about Easton as a neighborhood, not just a shopping center. The new "district" being built at the northeast end of the sprawling lifestyle center is a significant step in that evolution; an expected opening date of late 2019 to 2020 is expected for its various pieces. A 40,000 square foot RH Gallery — the high-end version of Restoration Hardware — will be a centerpiece of the $500 million addition, which also will include new dining options, outdoor community space, hotel and offices. Easton's developers also have announced plans to add apartments, though they have yet to give details.

Hamilton Quarter: Not so long ago, East Dublin-Granville Road was a fairly quiet stretch from Interstate 270 to Licking County. The massive development called Hamilton Quarter, at East Dublin-Granville and Hamilton Roads, is set to change that; it's a joint venture between the New Albany Co., Casto and the Daimler Group. Big Lots has already moved into its new headquarters there. The project also will include hundreds of apartments, 700,000 square feet of office space and retailers including a 125,000-square foot Target store.

Evans Farm: Even in the wake of a years-long residential development boom in southern Delaware County, Evans Farms stands out. Unlike conventional developments, the 1,250-acre Orange and Berlin townships project bills itself as an example of "new urbanism." That means smaller lots, a diversity of architectural styles and the ability to walk to nearby amenities including shopping areas, a park and a planned $20 million youth sports complex. After a slow start, the first of an estimated 2,200 residences have opened.

Crew Stadium: A new Downtown soccer stadium was a key to saving the Columbus Crew, the soccer team Columbus nearly lost to Austin, Texas. In December, plans for a $230-million stadium west of Huntington Park were unveiled, with the 20,000-seat stadium surrounded by several low-rise buildings containing offices and residential units. A number of details remain to be ironed out about the project and surrounding infrastructure, but given the public-private cooperation and $50 million combined commitment over several decades from the city and county toward the project, this one seems destined to move forward in a timely fashion.

Big potential

Scioto Peninsula: Civic leaders for years have touted East Franklinton, now called the Scioto Peninsula, as the last great undeveloped portion of Downtown. In addition to its proximity to COSI and the new National Veterans Memorial and Museum, the 21-acre area west of COSI is jointly owned by the city and county, and boasts prime Downtown views from across the Scioto River. But the city's vision of a dense, vibrant neighborhood full of housing, offices, shops and restaurants remains in limbo now that its hand-picked developer, Buckingham Companies, backed out of the project. Amy Taylor, chief operating officer of the Columbus Downtown Development Corp., the agency responsible for developing the site, said the search for a new developer continues. "We are all doing our due diligence to wrap things up and share the information with the community," she wrote in an email. "More to follow and I hope to be in touch soon."

North Market tower: In a city not known for having many historic buildings, the North Market is a treasured Downtown asset for residents, workers and visitors. The announcement of a dramatic plan to overhaul the market and add a new 35-story skyscraper on its parking lot was greeted in April 2017 with a mixture of excitement and skepticism. Since then, little has been said about the project by the city, which controls the property, or the selected development team of Schiff Capital and the Wood Companies — since joined by the architecture firm NBBJ. City development director Steve Schoeny said the project is moving forward. "The Developer and the Market are working cooperatively on the design and programming," he wrote in an email. "The City’s primary concern is making sure that we have an economically feasible project that enhances the market. We are being patient to allow the development team and the market work through those details."

Millennial Tower: Originally announced in May 2016, Millennial Tower set new-urbanist hearts aflutter with the promise of the first new skyscraper to be built in Downtown in 25 years. Nearly two years later, the residential, office and retail project hasn't progressed much beyond the concept phase and interim promises of extra floors being added to accommodate a hotel. The proposed high-rise would sit at the corner of Rich and Front streets, in the district dubbed River South. The Downtown Commission approved the building's design a year ago, after the giant video billboards originally envisioned to wrap the building were removed. William Schottenstein, president of Arshot Development, did not return a call seeking comment about the project's status. Neither did Andy Mills of Elford Realty, who has the property listed for lease.

Arcadia/Planet Oasis: Perhaps no central Ohio development has had such a colorful, controversial history in such a short time. The developers, fronted by David Glimcher, announced in June the 350-acre recreation and entertainment complex dubbed Planet Oasis next to Tanger Outlets off Interstate 71, featuring a "wellness center," hotel, saltwater lake, skate park and a sprawling entertainment center with theaters, video gaming and amusement rides. By November, Glimcher had an acrimonious split with partner Tony Sekulovski. Sekulovski renamed the project Arcadia while Glimcher said he was going forward with the project as Planet Oasis. For now, the two remain locked in litigation while the future hangs in doubt.

Columbus Castings redevelopment: This former foundry on the South Side became an eyesore after it closed in 2016, a reminder of traditional, sooty manufacturing that supported working-class families but isn't coming back. Now the 76-acre site has been cleared, and its owner, Reich Brothers Holdings, says it is in discussion with a party interested in developing the site for industrial or warehouse use, potentially breathing life back to a huge hole on the South Side.

mrose@dispatch.com

@MarlaMRose