MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 24, 2010 

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John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
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Menards To Open First Columbus Store At Northland Village

When Northland Mall closed its doors in 2002, Mayor Michael B. Coleman pledged that the site would be redeveloped. Today, Mayor Coleman was joined by Councilmember Andrew Ginther, Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown, Menards officials and Northland community leaders, as ground was broken for Menards home improvement store. The $11.5 million investment will bring 80 full-time jobs to the first Menards in the Columbus area.

“This is a big step toward a vibrant Northland Village,” Mayor Coleman said. “Rather than leaving the empty shell of the former mall vacant and blighted, Menards is working with us to revitalize the Morse Road corridor.”

The City is offering Menards a 75-percent 10-year tax abatement on real estate improvements. Upon completion of the project the City of Columbus will have invested more than $38 million on redevelopment of the Northland Village site and infrastructure improvements on Morse Road. The investment includes $19.4 million on site redevelopment, including acquisition of land, utility improvements and new roads for the redevelopment plan and $18 million in improvements along Morse Road for the corridor from I-71 to Cleveland Avenue.

“The entire Northland area will benefit from the Menards development and the city’s substantial investment in roads, sidewalks, bike lanes and utilities,” said Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Finance and Economic Development Committee. “It is important to note, the city has not made these improvements alone. Business owners in this region have created a Special Improvement District to reinvest their dollars in making this corridor an attractive place to do business.”

“We’re so happy to welcome Menards to the neighborhood,” said Commissioner Marilyn Brown. “Their presence is great news for the hundreds of businesses, including our new dog shelter, and the thousands of residents and visitors who travel the corridor each day. Investing in the development of our neighborhoods is paramount to a strong and healthy community for all of us.”

A family-owned company started in 1960, Menards currently has 255 home improvement stores throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wyoming and Wisconsin. With home improvement at the forefront of today's do-it-yourself market, Menards provides a valuable resource to the community. Menards not only fulfills home improvement needs, but also provides employment opportunities and economic growth for the entire community.

“As we have steadily progressed into Ohio, we have constantly heard about what a wonderful place Columbus is to live and do business. Today, we are proud to commence our presence here,” Scott Collette, Menard, Inc. Chief Operating Officer.

Other improvements on Morse Road from Karl Road to Cleveland Avenue include landscaped medians, new curbs and gutters, street trees, sidewalks, improved streetlights and traffic signals and pedestrian crossing upgrades at intersections. The final build-out will result will include more than 550,000 square-feet of new development and generate more than 800 jobs onsite, in addition to the 1,000+ jobs already at the Ohio Department of Taxation.

"Northland residents are excited to welcome Menards to the Northland Village site, not only because it represents jobs for area residents and increased retail choice in a unique and appealing format, but because we believe that today's announcement is the first of many that will herald the rebirth of the site of the former mall as a hub of the Northland community."

Menards expects to complete the project by spring 2011.

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