2017 is a thing of the past and 2018 has officially arrived. We’re already excited for the things that are in store for this year, and thought it would be a great time to recap what’s coming soon to your city.
1. Free Bus Passes for Downtown Workers
A program being launched by a joint effort between the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District (SID) will help to alleviate some of the parking capacity issues in Downtown Columbus by offering free bus passes to eligible workers within the SID’s boundary.
The program was piloted in 2015 and 2016 with small group of Downtown offices and the adoption rate was high enough to potentially free up 3,000 parking spaces in the core Downtown area this year. So even if some Downtown workers continue to drive, it should be a little easier (and maybe a little cheaper) to secure a parking spot.
2. The new LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Easton
This fall, Easton Town Center will see the opening of a 36,000 square foot LEGOLAND Discovery Center — the first of its kind in the state of Ohio. The space will be built out in the former KDB location that closed last August. The Discovery Center will cater to families with small kids, bringing another entertainment option to the mall.
3. The Return of Plank’s on High
It’s been over a year since Plank’s Bier Garten caught fire, and it sat dark for the entirety of 2017. Just as we were starting to wonder if it would ever reopen again, the business’ owners published an update on Facebook in mid-November to let everyone know that remodeling is under way and that the re-opening will be coming soon.
4. The Launch of a New Local Distillery
The brand new High Bank Distillery in Grandview Heights is slated to launch this spring at 1051 Goodale Boulevard, not far from Grandview Yard. The new 17,000 square foot space will be home not only to the production of local gin, vodka and rye whiskey, but also a full restaurant and bar open to the public.
5. A Volleyball Dome at Woodland’s Backyard
While the sand volleyball courts at Woodland’s Backyard may be busy during the warmer months, they sit dormant during the cold Ohio winter. That’s expected to change with the installation of a new seasonal inflatable dome that will keep the sport running year-round. The installation work is expected to begin this summer, with the first inflated season starting in October or November.
6. Hamilton (Maybe)
It is known that Hamilton will be a part of the Broadway in Columbus 2018-2019 season, but there’s no official dates announced on when the shows will actual take place. So it technically could happen in 2018, or it could happen in 2019. Either way, we’re excited to see this show finally hitting our city.
7. More Downtown Highway Construction
Who doesn’t love a good road closure or two? The Ohio Department of Transportation is expected to begin “Phase 2D” of the ongoing Interstate 70/71 “Split Fix” project. The portion will cost $166 million and will rework the “East Interchange” on the southeast corner of Downtown, near Children’s Hospital. All told, the entire $1.1 billion project won’t be done until 2023 at the earliest, so there’s a long way to still go.