INTERCHANGE

Franklin County border.

The environmental study raised few concerns, ODOT officials say. A public hearing is scheduled to discuss the project from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Northgate Church, 7097 East State Route 37.

Improving or replacing the interchange has been discussed for 17 years, according to an ODOT timeline. In recent years, developers have floated plans both north and south of Routes and even sparred over the location of a new ramp.

Today, the big question is who will pay for the interchange.

“We don’t disagree with a southern interchange,” said Jeff George, administrator of Berkshire Township, whose land was annexed into Sunbury to make way for development there. “What we want to see is that the developer can show funding for the development.”

“It’s one thing to get the environmental green light, but that doesn’t fund anything,” added Allen Rothermel, Sunbury village administrator.

“There definitely has been a hiatus on this for awhile.”

Sunbury has been eager for new development west of the village, which would create new neighborhoods, shopping venues and tax revenue. NorthGate Centre Development, which has plans for shops, homes, hotels and athletic facilities in the area, will pay for much of the interchange.

On Wednesday, Sunbury council heard plans by NorthGate to spend about $4 million to extend sewer lines for 150 homes planned near Sunbury Golf Course and another 350 nearby.

NorthGate’s owner, Pat Shivley, who is managing partner at Coldwell Banker’s commercial development operation, has repeatedly said that funding has been secured by private investors.

The first phase of several for the $125 million interchange project will cost about $54 million. Shivley said he has already spent about $5 million on engineering design work and provided $10 million in right-of-way property to the state.

This year, ODOT received about $5 million in federal funds for the project. Another

$ 16.5 million has been set aside for the first- phase work.

The bulk of the interchange funding will be from a new community authority, or NCA, designed to tax new homeowners in the district.

Berkshire Township, meanwhile, is aligned with Northstar development, backed by Nationwide Realty Investors and others, which want to develop north of Routes

“We’re looking at it as our commercial area,” George said.

NorthGate said its investment in an improved interchange will help both developers prosper.

“I believe that this will provide the engine to develop all quadrants up there,” Shivley said. “It’s going to take time, but it’s going to be a lot of opportunity for everybody.”

Shivley, 55, lives in New Albany with his wife and four children and considers himself a hands- on developer committed to this, his largest project.

“My background has always been the development of dirt,” he said. “We’ve been patient and now’s the time to move

forward.”

He said he owns about 300 acres and is in contract on another 400 acres, much of it former Berkshire Township farmland.

In April, he announced plans for the Shoppes at NorthGate Centre, comprised of 166,000 square feet of big-box discount stores, 82,000 square feet of strip center discount outlets and 24,000 square feet of restaurant space, along with two hotels. It would be located next to the Tanger Outlets Columbus.

Steve Fellenger, ODOT project manager, said continuing growth is driving the need for improvements at the interchange, used by about 30,000 vehicles daily.

“We’re trying to get ahead of it a little bit by getting the infrastructure in place,” he said.

As for funding, Fellenger said: “We have commitments from the developer and the NCA. We’ve got monies from Sunbury and the (Tanger) outlet mall.

“We’re confident. ... We believe in their commitment.”