After 90 years of horse racing, Grove City’s Beulah Park is destined for life anew.
The 212-acre site, west of Route 62 just outside Columbus’ outerbelt, soon could become a prime example of the walkable, mixed-use communities sought after by urban and suburban planners alike. Such village-like town centers are popping up throughout Central Ohio – including in Dublin, rural Delaware County and northeast Columbus.
Falco Smith & Kelley Ltd.’s proposed $350 million redevelopment of the Beulah Park site calls for 800 homes, 450 apartments and acres of commercial development and green space, prompted by Grove City planners who have been eyeing the site as a new town center for the suburb since Penn National Gaming Inc. closed the track in 2014.
“(The city) has been very proactive in seeking development that really plays up walkability and a downtown area,” said Patrick Kelley of Falco Smith Kelley Ltd., the development firm that assumed the project in July after developer Joe Ciminello’s option to purchase the property from Penn National expired.
Some hurdles must be cleared, Kelley said, including a rezoning of the site to planned-use development, which would allow for a mix of uses.
And Falco Smith Kelley still must complete its purchase from Penn National.
Beulah Park
Location: 3811 Southwest Blvd., Grove City
Jurisdiction: Grove City/South-Western City School District
Development: 800 homes, 450 apartments, 60 acres of green space, 10-15 acres of offices and commercial development.
Size: 212 acres
Cost: $350 million
Land owner: Penn National Gaming Inc.
Developer: Falco Smith & Kelley Ltd.
Time line: Break ground 2017 with a portion finished by year-end.
Zoning now/future: Zoned for racing, needs to be changed to planned-use development.
Previous land use: Thoroughbred racetrack
Incentives: Grove City providing infrastructure.