Organizational Expansion — Request for Proposal
NextGen is accepting proposals as part of its organizational expansion, continuing its work to transform Columbus communities.
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- OUR PROJECTS
- OUR BOARD
- OUR FUTURE
NextGen Columbus catalyzes economic opportunity and equitable development across Franklinton, Linden, the Near East Side, and Parsons Avenue — transforming vacant spaces into vibrant places.
Corporation founded
Parcels currently held
Land value under control
Core neighborhoods
Corporation founded
Parcels currently held
Land value under control
Core neighborhoods
“NextGen will catalyze opportunities that ultimately transform communities into vibrant, productive places desired by both residents and businesses.”
Columbus Next Generation Corporation (NextGen) was created in 2012 by former Mayor Michael Coleman to identify underutilized properties in core neighborhoods with the potential to thrive.
NextGen identifies underutilized land, secures control of the property, builds a master plan, completes feasibility studies, and gathers community input — then positions the project for developers to complete construction.
NextGen's targeted area falls within the 1950 boundaries of the City of Columbus, with emphasis on Linden, Franklinton, the Near East Side, Parsons Avenue, and the Southside. Columbus has the lowest unemployment rate of Ohio's major metro areas — but a significant supply of underutilized land remains in communities that need economic stimulation.
See what we've built →NextGen is accepting proposals as part of its organizational expansion, continuing its work to transform Columbus communities.
Learn More
Residents celebrated the opening of the Linden Fresh Food Market, converted with support from the City and Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Read coverage
City leaders dedicated a Bronzeville plaza to Ann B. Walker, NBC4's first woman broadcaster.
Read coverage
Completed
2023
In 2020, NextGen purchased a public nuisance corner store at Chittenden and Cleveland Avenues. Along with the City of Columbus, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Charitable Pharmacy, NextGen converted the store into a community market offering fresh food and pharmacy access.
Completed
Est. 2025
A mixed-use development honoring Columbus broadcasting pioneer Ann B. Walker — featuring mixed-income housing, retail, banking, and dining anchored in cultural legacy.
Completed
2019
This property was once an adult bookstore. NextGen purchased it in 2018 and sold it to a private developer as part of a larger redevelopment of the block. It was transformed into a vegan restaurant in 2019, adding to the diversity of food options along the Parsons Avenue commercial corridor.
Completed
2017
The former Carl L. Brown site — once home to a Black-owned grocery store at Mt. Vernon and Champion Avenues — sat vacant for years before NextGen acquired it in 2014 and it was deeded over in 2015. In 2017, the site was sold to the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority as part of the Poindexter Village rebuild.
Completed
2017
In 2017, NextGen acquired approximately three acres along Cleveland Avenue at its intersection with Myrtle Avenue in the North Linden community, removing several dilapidated buildings to make way for new development. Partnering with Homeport, NextGen helped build a 100-unit senior housing complex that includes affordable housing and commercial space.
Completed
2017
In 2017, NextGen acquired a former drive-thru facility at 945 Parsons Avenue and partnered with Community Development for All People to turn it into a free fresh produce market for the community.
Completed
Founded in 2006 by Chef Henry Butcher and his family, Creole Kitchen has brought authentic New Orleans flavors to Columbus. As the restaurant relocated to East Long Street from Mt. Vernon Avenue as part of the Ogden mixed-use development, funding from NextGen enabled it to keep operating and serving the historic King Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood it has called home for many years, supporting local employment and the hiring of new staff along the way.
Planned
NextGen purchased property on the west side of Cleveland Avenue, between Briarwood, Myrtle, and Arlington Avenues, for future development. The goal is to provide workforce housing along with office and retail opportunities.
Planned
2025
NextGen unlocked this site at the corner of Cleveland and Hudson in 2025, positioning it for future development that will bring lasting economic momentum to the corridor.
Planned
NextGen purchased an entire city block that includes the historic Ohio National Bank building along with other retail and residential space. The goal is to construct approximately 70 units of affordable senior housing to serve the Hilltop community.
The Owner-Occupied Initiative is designed to help senior homeowners remain safely and stably housed by addressing housing code violations. Through a partnership with the City of Columbus Attorney's Office and community organizations such as Columbus Next Generation Corporation, eligible low-income elderly residents may receive essential code violation repairs at no cost to the homeowner if they qualify. Participants are referred to the program through housing code violation cases connected to the City Attorney's Office.
To qualify, participants must:
Service Provided
2026
Per the request of the City of Columbus, NextGen served as construction and project manager for the rehab of this 3,000-square-foot mixed-use building at 2918 E. Fifth Avenue, which opened in June 2026. The first floor contains office space, and the second floor has 4 residential units — 2 one-bedroom units and 2 efficiency units — renting for $600 to $650 a month.
A record of acquisitions, renovations, and dispositions since 2012.
Sold the former Carl L. Brown grocery store site (5 acres on Mt. Vernon Avenue) to Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, clearing the way for the new Poindexter Village development.
Acquired a former adult bookstore on Parsons Avenue to support the Parsons Avenue Redevelopment Corporation; the property was sold to a developer and is now a vegan restaurant.
Renovated four City of Columbus–owned properties in Franklinton, transferred to NextGen to support revitalization of the East Franklinton area.
Purchased a former drive-thru store to assist Community Development for All People in bringing fresh food access to the Southside — now serving over 4,000 Franklin County residents each month.
Acquired 1410 Cleveland Avenue, saving the Point of Pride building from foreclosure, upgrading it, and transferring it to the City of Columbus in 2017.
Secured the former McNabb Funeral Home site on East Long Street, preserving its historical elements ahead of redevelopment.
Selected Kingsley+Co and Borror to develop a mixed-use project of commercial space and apartments, estimated at approximately $20 million.
Ongoing support for small and minority-owned businesses as part of NextGen's continued commitment to emerging enterprise.
Active projects across the 1950 boundary of the City of Columbus.
“NextGen will catalyze opportunities that ultimately transform communities into vibrant, productive places desired by both residents and businesses.”
Columbus Next Generation Corporation (NextGen) was created in 2012 by former Mayor Michael Coleman to identify underutilized properties in core neighborhoods with the potential to thrive. NextGen identifies underutilized land, secures control of the property, builds a master plan, completes feasibility studies, and gathers community input — then positions the project for developers to complete construction.
NextGen’s targeted area falls within the 1950 boundaries of the City of Columbus, with emphasis on Linden, Franklinton, the Near East Side, Parsons Avenue, and the Southside. Columbus has the lowest unemployment rate of Ohio’s major metro areas — but a significant supply of underutilized land remains in communities that need economic stimulation. NextGen was formed by the City of Columbus to help close that gap.
Case Studies
Redevelopment work across Columbus’s core neighborhoods, from acquisition to completion.
East Long Street · Acquired 2016
Once home to a funeral parlor and the city’s first African American–owned financial institution, this Near East Side property sat vacant for years. NextGen acquired it in 2016; Borror completed a mixed-use residential and retail development in 2021.
Mt. Vernon Avenue · Deeded 2015
The City acquired the closed Carl L. Brown grocery site in 2014 and deeded it to NextGen in 2015. Sold to Columbus Metropolitan Housing in 2017 to complete the Poindexter Village rebuild.
Linden · Partnership project
With the City of Columbus, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and several nonprofits, NextGen converted an abandoned corner store into a community market with fresh food and pharmacy access.
Linden · Acquisitions since 2017
Since 2017, NextGen has acquired more than two acres along Cleveland Avenue in Linden. Partnering with Homeport, the site is becoming a 100-unit senior housing complex with mixed-use commercial space.
Southside · Acquired 2017
A former drive-thru facility, acquired with Community Development for All People and transformed into a free fresh-produce market serving over 4,000 Franklin County residents monthly.
Parsons Avenue · Acquired 2018
Purchased a former adult bookstore in 2018 and redeveloped it into a vegan restaurant in 2019.
In the Community
The people behind the projects — residents, partners, and city leaders at the milestones that matter.
Photo pending — client to supply
Photo pending — client to supply
Community & partner photo to be supplied by NextGen.
Photo pending — client to supply
Team & stakeholder photo to be supplied by NextGen.
Track Record
A record of acquisitions, renovations, and dispositions since 2012.
01
Sold the former Carl L. Brown grocery store site (5 acres on Mt. Vernon Avenue) to Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, generating revenue for the organization and clearing the way for the new Poindexter Village development.
02
Acquired a former adult bookstore on Parsons Avenue to support the Parsons Avenue Redevelopment Corporation; the property was sold to a developer and is now a vegan restaurant.
03
Renovated four City of Columbus–owned properties in Franklinton, transferred to NextGen to support revitalization of the East Franklinton area.
04
Purchased a former drive-thru store to assist Community Development for All People in bringing fresh food access to the Southside — now serving over 4,000 Franklin County residents each month.
05
Acquired 1410 Cleveland Avenue, saving the Point of Pride building from foreclosure, upgrading it, and transferring it to the City of Columbus in 2017.
06
Secured the former McNabb Funeral Home site on East Long Street, preserving its historical elements ahead of redevelopment.
07
Selected Kingsley+Co and Borror to develop a mixed-use project of commercial space and apartments, estimated at approximately $20 million.
08
Ongoing support for small and minority-owned businesses as part of NextGen’s continued commitment to emerging enterprise.
Where We Work
North
Active projects
West
Active projects
East
Active projects
South
Active projects
South
Active projects
Press & Notices
NOTICE
NextGen is accepting proposals as part of its organizational expansion, continuing its work to transform Columbus communities into vibrant, productive places to live, work, and learn.
WOSU
Residents celebrated the opening of the Linden Fresh Food Market, converted from an abandoned corner store with support from the City, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and NextGen.
NBC4
City leaders dedicated a Bronzeville plaza to Ann B. Walker, NBC4’s first woman broadcaster, as part of an area that includes mixed-income apartments and retail.
Governance
Baker & Hostetler, LLP
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
Continental Building Company
Director, Dept. of Development, City of Columbus
Workforce Development Board—Central Ohio
Bath & Body Works
Downtown Development Corporation
Columbus Next Generation Corporation
Columbus Next Generation Corporation
Have land or a property to partner on?
Whether you’re a developer, community partner, or resident, NextGen works alongside the City of Columbus and local nonprofits to turn underutilized land into lasting community assets.
Office
1393 East Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone / Fax
614.824.5295 / 614.824.2883
info@columbusnextgen.org