Germain Amphitheater site redevelopment awarded $7 million Ohio tax credit

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A mixed-use development being built on the former Germain Amphitheater site near Polaris Fashion Place can now move forward with additional phases after earning a tax credit from the state of Ohio.

NP Limited Partnership, Polaris mall's developer, was awarded a $7.39 million tax credit on Jan. 27 from Ohio's Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program for "The Galaxy at Polaris" project. While Galaxy's first phase is already under construction, the tax credit will allow NP to forge ahead on the 11 buildings that will make up the development's second phase.

The Polaris complex is one of nine Ohio projects that were given tax credits last month as part of the Mixed-Used Development Program, including a Downtown project tasked with transforming Capitol Square by redeveloping or replacing underutilized buildings and surface parking lots.

"With new development and growth comes new possibilities for Ohioans," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, which administers the program. "Mixed-use developments create lively communities that attract residents and visitors, transforming empty lots into places where people can connect and thrive."

Costing about $269 million, Galaxy is being built on a 30-acre site on the east side of Polaris between Interstate 71 and Westerville's Medical Mile. The development will span three phases, with the first expected to wrap construction in September and the second planned to kick off in the spring of next year.

The first phase is home to 289 apartments, a more than 700-space parking garage, 37,000 square feet of commercial space, a dog park and an amphitheater. The second phase will span 1.7 million square feet with retail, more apartments, office space, restaurants, a grocery store, and other community amenities.

Galaxy is expected to create approximately 2,102 construction jobs and 1,699 permanent jobs at the project site.