A wealth of activity is ongoing at Kettering’s business and research parks.
The city of Kettering delved into the latest at Kettering Business Park and Miami Valley Research Park — from spaces ripe for opportunity to new tenants and projects.
Kettering Business Park (commercial and residential to come)
The city of Kettering took on ownership of the former Gentile Air Force Station in 1996. In the more than two decades following, the city has worked to facilitate reinvestment in the area, now known as the Kettering Business Park. New investments would offset the loss of more than 2,500 jobs after the Air Force consolidated operations.
Building 46 at Kettering Business Park is looking at a major improvement project to attract new tenants. About 110,000 square feet of space is available for one or more tenants.
Bryan Chodkowski, assistant city manager, said the budget for the project is $5 million. So far, the project has received a total of $2.7 million in funds to help with necessary improvements like asbestos remediation, water service issues and more.
The city has yet to select a contractor. Work is expected to begin in quarter two of 2025.
Chodkowski said the site has seen interest from potential end users.
Also at the business park, Solvita is wrapping up renovations on a new space to take on a warehousing component in the 900 block of Forrer Boulevard.
Kettering Business Park is currently home to nearly 2,500 employees with major players like Alternate Solutions Health Network and Kettering Health.
As part of the former Gentile Air Station redevelopment, Gentile Nature Park was recently completed in June in the 900 block of Peach Orchard. Upcoming residential projects are planned in the area near the nature and business parks, known as Acorn Walk Subdivision.
Phase one includes the addition of four condominiums, with six already constructed. Construction will begin in 2025.
Phase two will bring 40-plus single family homes to Acorn Walk. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026, following the condos.
Chodkowski said the shift to including residential projects in the area comes from the city’s remote worker population: 9% of the population.
“These new opportunities, not only do they represent additional housing stock where there is a short supply of new housing stock, but they also create the opportunity for work from home venues for all residents,” Chodkowski said.
With workforce being a top issue for employers, Chodkowski said employers are heavily considering quality of life and employee wellness. He said situating houses by the business park will boost economic development initiatives and attract new businesses.
Tenneco space seeing interest from prospective tenants
The 1-million-square-foot industrial facility at 2555 Woodman Drive in Kettering was shuttered in November 2023, costing the city one of its largest employers. Following Tenneco’s departure after a 15-year stay, Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP) purchased the facility and has been hard at work, preparing it for a future tenant through renovations.
Chodkowski said ICP has removed outdated landscaping, painted the building and worked on other basic, white box improvements inside the facility. He hinted ICP is currently in discussions with two potential industrial manufacturing/processing tenants.
“We’re very optimistic that, within the next 12 months, we’ll have an appropriate tenant over there, utilizing that space and employing folks from the community,” Chodkowski said.
Miami Valley Research Park (commercial and retail to come)
Over the years, the 1,250-acre research park has seen the development of 450 acres – an investment of $410 million. The research park has 22 buildings on its campus, a total of 2.2 million square feet. Those host 42 organizations and 4,400 workers.
With much office space and land still available at the park, development projects continue.:
- Resonetics recently closed on 1.6 acres of land with the city for an expansion. Project details and a timeline are unknown.
- As Solvita wraps up renovations in Kettering Business Park, the company is also approved for a solar farm project at Miami Valley Research Park where it also has a presence. It will enable Solvita to branch out into green space, take advantage of the solar farm, and ensure their facility is operating efficiently.
- On residential, 280-300 market-rate apartments are coming to the research park, headed by Vision Development in Columbus.
Kettering is looking to expand its recreational opportunity outside and close to the research park. The city hopes to add a commercial/retail component along County Line Road near Little Beaver Creek.
“There’s already some hub of activity there, so an opportunity for us to capitalize on that as well,” Chodkowski said.
A timeline on the potential project is undetermined, but Chodkowski said it remains a priority to continue developing the research park.