A developer and Hilliard directors are collaborating to have town’s first Airbnb open by July 4 within the Outdated Hilliard district.
Andy Warnock, chief govt officer of The Westwood Collective, mentioned Might 17 that his firm has recognized three potential websites, two on Major Avenue and one on Norwich Avenue, as potential Airbnb websites.
In the meantime, the Hilliard Planning and Zoning Fee Might 12 unanimously really useful that Hilliard Metropolis Council approve an ordinance that will amend town code so as to add “short-term rental” and “bed-and-breakfast inns” as permitted makes use of within the Outdated Hilliard mixed-use district and the Outdated Hilliard residential district, and so as to add related growth requirements.
The textual content initially referred to as for buildings of not less than 1,500 sq. toes to be eligible for short-term rental and bed-and-breakfast standing, however fee members lowered the required sq. footage for such standing to 800 sq. toes, in keeping with David Ball, director of group outreach for Hilliard.
An ordinance amending metropolis code so as to add the definitions and permit short-term leases and bed-and-breakfast inns as permitted makes use of in Outdated Hilliard is scheduled to have a primary studying Might 23 at Hilliard Metropolis Council, in keeping with Ball.
If the ordinance follows the same old timetable, it will have a second and last studying June 13, in keeping with Ball.
Warnock mentioned he desires to create a “vibe” in Outdated Hilliard just like what he skilled on a visit to the Lone Star State.
“After visiting Waco, Texas with my spouse, it was clear the affect Chip and Joanna Gaines (from HGTV and Magnolia Market) had on that city. We need to create the same vibe in Outdated Hilliard with hospitality choices in our metropolis’s core,” Warnock mentioned.
The areas are meant to be quaint, he defined.
“(These are) not a celebration pad, however relatively a high-end, distinctively furnished dwelling that gives a novel expertise to our friends. We are going to inventory native beer, native espresso and native desserts, and provide an leisure information to all Hilliard has to supply. “
Warnock mentioned that Trove Warehouse, an Higher Arlington furnishings retailer, is designing and furnishing the house.
“We hope to have our first Airbnb open by July Fourth,” Warnock mentioned.
However different choices are anticipated.
“We are going to use Airbnb closely, however not completely. VRBO is one other website and we’ll do some self-marketing outdoors of the nationwide platforms,” Warnock mentioned.
He mentioned it is a vital distinction as Airbnb and bed-and-breakfast inns are usually not the identical.
An Airbnb is a flippantly regulated home-sharing website whereas bed-and-breakfast inns are topic to state and native lodging legal guidelines identical to a big resort chain, in keeping with Warnock.
Hilliard Metropolis Supervisor Michelle Crandall mentioned such facilities are welcome in Outdated Hilliard.
“If accepted by Metropolis Council, this alteration will create a further sort of lodging expertise for guests in downtown Hilliard, which is probably the most applicable location for bed-and-breakfast and Airbnb-type entities,” Crandall mentioned.
In his auspice as appearing director of Vacation spot Hilliard, Ball mentioned such facilities would add to the vibrancy of Outdated Hilliard, which has been a spotlight for revitalization for town.
“Having this kind of lodging for guests is yet one more characteristic that provides to the vibrancy of the downtown space, which has been a spotlight for redevelopment and revitalization for town. We all know {that a} wholesome downtown advantages your entire group, as a result of it attracts guests to Hilliard who will spend their cash in native companies and provides to the standard of life for our residents,” Ball mentioned.
In early 2020, the Center Street Market, anchored by Crooked Can Brewing Co., opened on Heart Avenue, between Major and Wayne streets and has since added distributors contained in the open-air market.
In 2010, town opened First Responders Park, a memorial to the just about 3,000 individuals killed within the nation’s 9/11 terrorist assaults and several other years later, constructed Hilliard’s Station Park, which hosts the city’s summer concert series.
In March 2021, the Hilliard Station Baking Company opened, including to the rising area of interest of retailers within the district that additionally consists of Starliner Diner.
Sextons Pizza opened earlier this 12 months on Heart Avenue, considered one of a number of different developments by The Westwood Collective.
Libby Gierach, president and CEO of the Hilliard Space Chamber of Commerce, additionally welcomes the idea.
“Outdated Hilliard is the hub of Hilliard and folks need to be a part of this energized space. Having short-term leases and bed-and-breakfast inns makes Hilliard a extra fascinating place for guests to expertise all that Hilliard has to supply, not solely in Outdated Hilliard, however within the different areas in our metropolis as nicely,” Gierach mentioned.
There’s a need for the facilities, in keeping with Warnock.
“We surveyed members of the group who need this. They need another choice for his or her out-of-town household and pals,” Warnock mentioned, and consists of these attending soccer tournaments hosted by the Hilliard Ohio Soccer Affiliation and wedding ceremony events on the Makoy Heart.
“These short-term hospitality choices are an essential lacking piece of including vitality to our charming downtown.”
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