What changes could come to vacated Kroger Bakery in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The former Kroger Bakery complex will undergo major changes as it is redeveloped into a mixed-use site.

The former Kroger Bakery complex at 457 Cleveland Ave. will be transformed into “The Assembly,” one of many mixed-use development projects in Ohio announced this week. The Assembly will hold hundreds of apartments, office space and retail space. Developers pitched the initial plans for the project in 2021.

The former Kroger Bakery was added to Columbus Landmarks’ list of Most Endangered Sites after being sold and vacated in 2019.

In addition to the former Kroger Bakery and Warehouse, the Ford Assembly Plant at 427 Cleveland Ave. — built in 1914 and acquired by Kroger in 1979 — will be included in the redevelopment project.

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An application from Half Baked Holdings for the project predicts that it will lead to an “activation of Cleveland Avenue” that would “transform one of the five most important corridors for residential growth” in Columbus. A 2022 Downtown Strategic Plan called for an increase of Downtown Columbus residents from 10,000 to 40,000, and the application says that the hundreds of new apartments from this project should be a catalyst for growth in the area.

“This unique project will help to transform this neighborhood for the next evolution of Columbus,” the application stated.

The redevelopment of the 679,754-square-foot site will feature the creation of 363 apartments, interior parking, commercial tenant space, an entertainment area, and both indoor and outdoor amenities. In total, the project is expected to result in 628 construction jobs and the creation of about 234 permanent jobs at the site.

The application further described the positive impact that The Assembly could have on the community.

“[The Assembly] seeks to provide an enriching daily experience by offering an environment that allows for people to plug and unwind,” the developers wrote. “Our commitment to placemaking, retaining historical relevance, and promoting the natural environment has never been more important in keeping pace with what our residents and visitors have come to expect.”

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The site is expected to undergo changes that will include the retaining and rehabilitation of the two existing industrial buildings and the construction of three new buildings. In total, the development cost will rack up to $155,568,407, with a total tax credit of $3.5 million.

On Monday, Gov. Mike DeWine and state Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced support for mixed-use development projects. Those are expected to create more than $401 million in payroll and $2.6 billion in investments across the state. The former Kroger Bakery was one of 15 such projects to be announced.

The proposed project is expected to bring functional uses back to the site, leading to the creation of new jobs while still preserving the historic nature of the existing buildings and character of the site, according to the project application.

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