Planning and Development

145 SOUTH FRONT BUILDING PURCHASE

In March, the Partnership completed the purchase of the former Jobs and Family Services Building on the Scioto Mile. The 200,000-square-foot, sevenstory building has been vacant since 2007. We’ve partnered with Brad DeHays of Connect Realty and have a joint venture agreement that provides the Partnership with a valuable equity stake. An architectural design process is underway now, and Connect Realty will partner with us to redevelop the building over the next couple years. THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Construction on the Interdisciplinary Research Facility at the Innovation District continues to make progress. When completed, the facility will serve multiple research disciplines, including biomedical, life sciences, engineering and environmental sciences. The Partnership, OSU, City of Columbus and State of Ohio continue working together to prepare for the development of the entire Innovation District, which will include residential units, an enhanced SciTech Corridor, office and innovation space, and ground floor retail.

DOWNTOWN RECOVERY

The Partnership is working with local government leaders, the arts community, Experience Columbus and downtown businesses and organizations to position Columbus for a rapid recovery from the ongoing pandemic. In coordination with Mayor Ginther and the Live Forward campaign, the Partnership and its members will be involved in sharing information and encouraging the community to build on the past two decades of transformation that has allowed downtown to become Columbus’ signature neighborhood. TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS

The Partnership continues to participate in the planning initiatives for improved mass transportation, specifically along the NW Corridor (Olentangy River Road from Goodale to Bethel Roads) and the East/West Corridor along Broad Street from the Westland Mall area to the City’s far east side. The Partnership is working with public and private partners, including the City of Columbus, COTA, The Ohio State University, Nationwide and OhioHealth, to identify potential Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines that will open up key economic development areas and ease traffic congestion. Once initial planning is done, the Partnership will assist in securing federal, state and local funding.