Rogue Fitness, the Columbus maker of weights and other fitness equipment, is seeking a tax break for a major expansion of its Milo-Grogan complex.
The company’s application for the tax break clarifies Rogue’s expansion plans, which have been discussed for more than two years.
Rogue is planning to add 270,000 square feet to the south side of its headquarters and factory on the southwest corner of Cleveland and E. 5th avenues, expanding the complex by roughly 50%, according to plans submitted to the city. The expansion would add 30 workers to the 665 now at the complex and replace older industrial buildings on the site.
Rogue estimated the expansion will cost $48.2 million, $37 million in the building itself, which would expand Rogue to East Starr Avenue on the eastern portion of the addition and to East 2nd Avenue on the west, according to the plans, submitted in June.
Rogue, through its parent company Coulter Ventures, is asking that 75% of property taxes on the expansion be eliminated for 10 years, a request endorsed by the city’s Development Department. The council heard the request Monday, July 14, and is expected to take action on it at its next meeting.
If the council approves the project, construction could begin this fall and be completed by the end of next year, according to Rogue’s application.
Efforts to reach a Rogue representative for further details were unsuccessful.
Rogue has offered up a few expansion ideas in recent years.
In 2019, the company floated the idea of a 4,000-seat arena on an empty lot immediately north of the company’s complex along East 5th Avenue. The arena would have served as a venue for music and sports events, including the Arnold Sports Festival.
Early this year, Rogue also announced a plan to build a 400,000-square-foot addition to its Columbus plant, according to a company social media post.
Plans now before the city instead revives plans the company filed with the city in 2023 for an addition on the south side of its complex.
Founded in 2006 by Bill Henniger in a Toledo garage, Rogue has grown to be a leading manufacturer of weights, weight gear and other fitness equipment such as rowing machines.
Rogue opened its 605,000-square-foot Cleveland Avenue headquarters and factory in 2017 on the former Timken Co. manufacturing site. The company employs more than 725 people, nearly all of them at the Cleveland Avenue operations.
Real estate and Development Reporter Jim Weiker can be reached at jweiker@dispatch.com and at 614-284-3697. Follow him @JimWeiker
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Rogue Fitness plans major expansion to its Milo-Grogan headquarters and factory
Reporting by Jim Weiker, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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