New Albany residents and community organizations have both lacked a major event center to rent since Winding Hollow Golf and Events Center closed in January.

That could change by 2016 if Noah’s Event Venue opens as planned next summer.

“Our team did extensive research prior to selecting the location for Noah’s of New Albany based both on demographics in the area, as well as the need for event space,” said Kirsten Mussi, hiring director for Noah’s.

Mussi said the company has 29 venues in the country and the New Albany location would be the second in Ohio. The other is in Mentor, northeast of Cleveland.

“We feel that now more than ever there is a need for an accessible, beautiful and versatile venue in New Albany,” she said. “Noah’s isn’t just a wedding venue and we don’t cater exclusively to business so we believe that the community will welcome a venue that is both beautiful and affordable.”

Noah’s on Aug. 10 received a certificate of appropriateness from the New Albany Architectural Review Board for a one-story, 8,700-square-foot building.

It will be built on 1.3 acres near Johnstown Road, between the proposed Granger Senior living development south of the Plain Township fire station and Second Street.

The board voted 6-0, with E.J. Thomas absent, in favor of the application.

New Albany planner Stephen Mayer said the ARB approved the plan with the condition that the building must look like it is two stories tall, as required by the city’s Urban Center Code, and it needs to be no more than 20 feet from Johnstown Road.

It will have brick and stone on all four sides, built in mainly Georgian revival-style architecture, according to the ARB staff report.

Johnstown Road in front of the development would include on-street, parallel parking spaces, 6-foot-wide sidewalks and street trees, the report said.

The building would have 88 parking spaces and the main entrance would be off Johnstown Road via the extension of Miller Avenue, the report said.

Noah’s and a future tenant to the north would share a parking lot.

“The parking lot will be expanded in the future when the neighboring property is developed,” Mayer said.

Mussi said construction should begin in October and the venue would begin accepting reservations in the summer of 2016.

“New Albany is a prosperous area for business and we are excited to provide an affordable event space option for both large and small businesses in New Albany,” Mussi said. “But Noah’s is also built to host baby showers, birthday parties, proms, charity events, retirement parties and other family events.

“Noah’s is a real event venue for real people. There is a need for affordable and beautiful event space in New Albany and we are excited to meet that need.”

Groups such as the New Albany Women’s Network have been scheduling activities outside of New Albany since Winding Hollow closed.

The New Albany Women’s Network’s 16th annual fashion show is Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Jefferson Country Club, 7271 Jefferson Meadow Drive in Blacklick.

By Lori Wince
This Week Community News