DELAWARE — Delaware County has purchased roughly 140 acres along Sawmill Parkway for $17.7 million in an effort to attract new businesses, create jobs and continue developing one of the county’s fastest-growing commercial corridors.
County commissioners approved the purchase of the land, located south of U.S. 42 and on both the east and west sides of Sawmill Parkway, in conjunction with the county’s Office of Economic Development.
The four parcels stand opposite land already being developed for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets youth hockey facility and the 250-acre, mixed-use and entertainment project that has been dubbed “Maridel.”
“The purchase of this property would be for economic development purposes and intended to position the property to attract new businesses and jobs,” County Economic Development Consultant Dana McDaniel said.
The acquisition is the latest investment in the Sawmill Parkway corridor, where county and city officials have spent more than $35 million to provide a pathway surrounded by land that meets existing and future land use needs.
Since Sawmill Parkway was completed, several developments have found a home along the corridor, including two housing developments that will eventually include more than 200 single-family homes and 500 townhomes.
Sawmill Pointe Business Park, an 89-acre industrial and manufacturing hub, also features two 148,215 square foot spec warehouses.
“This sort of the investment just enhances the value and it finishes the vision that we had for that corridor when we developed it, when we built that parkway, so that we could provide the economic development activity that would diversify the tax base,” Commissioner Jeff Benton said.
Expanding the growth corridor
In 2023, Delaware’s Office of Economic Development created the economic development strategy, which identified Sawmill Parkway as a growth corridor.
Growth corridors are ripe for economic development and the county prioritizes pursuing them for infrastructure, development, zoning and more.
“This area’s one of Delaware County’s primary growth corridors because of its access to consistent utilities, proximity to Delaware Municipal Airport, existing nearby industrial employers and room necessary for commercial and industrial extension,” McDaniel said.
Developers are already looking at the site for their industrial and commercial businesses.
“This immediate area has also had a lot of attention lately by potential development,” McDaniel said.
“I’ll go further and say that the long-term economic benefits, if developed consistent with the strategy, would likely result in attracting a large corporate campus or advanced manufacturing facility.”
Benton said the investment is a major statement.
“The county is committed to economic development and proactively doing it, as you mentioned, in key areas,” he said.
Commissioners approve annexation of 102 acres
Commissioners also approved two separate annexation petitions requesting annexation into the city of Delaware from Delaware Township.
One petition includes 43.4 acres located west of Berlin Station Road. The other includes 58.6 acres east of Pollock Road.
Preservation Parks owns both parcels.
Delaware City Council must approve the land annexation before it officially becomes a part of the city.
Maps provided by Delaware County.
