Upper Arlington is done waiting on the long-stalled Golden Bear project. The city will bring in its own contractor to clean up the vacant site at 3700 Riverside Drive after the property's owner missed the latest deadline to fix maintenance problems and permit issues. The fenced lot, empty since the shopping center came down in 2023, has become a sore spot for neighbors watching the redevelopment plans hit pause.
As reported by The Columbus Dispatch, city officials say they gave Golden Bear Development LLC, the ownership entity connected to Arcadia Development, a final schedule to address property maintenance and permitting concerns. When the owner failed to meet those deadlines, the city moved to start the process of hiring a contractor to correct the problems on the site. The Dispatch notes that a formal notice, listing specific violations and required fixes, preceded the enforcement step.
Permit timeline and enforcement
City records show the building permit tied to the Golden Bear redevelopment expired on March 3, 2025, then was extended by the State Board of Building Appeals to October 1, 2025. Even with the extension, no vertical construction followed on the cleared site. The City of Upper Arlington has also posted the formal notice and related documents from the community development department that outline the property maintenance concerns and building code issues for the owner.
What the project looked like
In earlier marketing materials and renderings, the Golden Bear plan called for a five-story mixed-use building that would combine condominium units with ground-floor retail and a structured parking garage. The main shopping center was demolished in 2023 to clear the way for that vision. Coverage at Columbus Underground described early plans that featured roughly 76 residential units and tens of thousands of square feet of retail and office space in initial designs.
Developer stance
Arcadia Development's project page still labels Golden Bear at Riverside as "UNDER CONSTRUCTION" and links to active pre-sales and leasing pages tied to the development. The company has continued to market units and work on lining up retail and office tenants while it sorts out next steps for the property. Arcadia's website also hosts renderings and online portals for sales and leasing tied to the project.
Looking ahead
The city's decision to move ahead with cleanup is a clear enforcement move meant to address immediate maintenance and safety concerns at a highly visible corner on Riverside Drive. The Columbus Dispatch reports that both city officials and the developer say more updates could come as Arcadia refines its approach to the site, although there is still no firm date for when new construction might start.
