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Westerville’s WIC reports East of Africa land purchase and Sharp Farm renovation planning
Summary
The Westerville Industry and Commerce Corporation reported it purchased 88 acres east of Africa Road in May 2023 and is planning stabilization and infrastructure work for the historic Sharp Farm property as part of an economic development strategy.
The Westerville Industry and Commerce Corporation (WIC) gave council an update on economic development activity, including land acquisition east of Africa Road and early planning on the historic Sharp Farm property.
WIC reported it closed on the purchase of 88 acres east of Africa Road (including the Sharp Farm) in May 2023; the acquisition is intended to provide shovel-ready sites for development adjacent to the West Star Place business district. WIC said infrastructure work is underway and planning for protection and future reuse of the historic Sharp Farm is in progress, with shovel-ready sites expected by early 2027.
Why it matters: the property acquisition and infrastructure planning are central to the city’s economic development strategy and will shape future commercial and mixed-use opportunities east of Africa Road.
WIC said it has authorized project management services for the Sharp Farm renovation. The WIC-appointed project manager, the city reported, is the same firm helping with the city hall project (identified in the meeting packet as JLL, Jones Lang LaSalle). WIC and city staff said the first phase over the coming six months will focus on stabilizing the structure and developing a renovation program; later phases will address utilities and public infrastructure to support commercial opportunities. “Right now we're going through the details of the renovation of the program,” a city representative said, adding that the manager’s agreement covers roughly six months to establish a program to stabilize the structure and plan infrastructure connections such as sewer and water.
WIC also reviewed other programs it administers — including the Uptown Improvement Program (matching grants) and the Business Wise energy-efficiency incentive program — and said two Uptown properties have been completed under a new fire suppression grant program.
