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    OSU Construction Update: Arts District, Hospital Tower and More

    Despite the wide array of challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic – both financial and otherwise – construction crews have been busy on the campus of Ohio State University throughout 2020. Here’s the latest on some of the most significant projects, ranging from the almost-complete to the just-getting-started.

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    Wexner Medical Center

    After unveiling the first rendering of the new Inpatient Hospital in August, OSU is officially moving forward with the $1.79 billion project. At 1.9 million square feet, the building will be the university’s largest single facilities project ever undertaken, according to OSU. Don’t expect to see the 26-floor building topping out any time soon, though – it’s not expected to open for patients until early 2026.

    15th and High

    Work has continued on the 15th and High district across from campus. The two buildings currently under construction – the new WOSU headquarters and a mixed-use building at the corner of High Street and 16th Avenue – are on track to be finished by next spring, as is the public plaza that has been touted as the centerpiece of the nine-acre development.

    There is no firm timeline for the other buildings planned for the project. OSU announced in April that the start of construction on a second mixed-use building just south of 15th Avenue would be delayed, and no start date has been identified for the hotel and parking garage that will fill out the eastern end of the site.

    The new WOSU headquarters building.

    Power Plant

    In September, the Ohio Power Siting Board approved the university’s plan to build a combined heat and power plant near the OSU Veterinary Hospital. Construction on the facility started in mid-October, but the university has yet to release a target completion date for the project.

    Arts District

    Located across High Street from the 15th and High site, work on the multifaceted project started in June of 2019 and has continued throughout 2020. The new School of Music is currently on track to open in August of 2022, but no announcement has been made about the start of work on a new Department of Theatre building, which was delayed last spring.

    The Arts District under construction, as seen from across College Road.

    West Campus

    The first phase of what could be a complete transformation of West Campus has begun. See our recent project update for the latest renderings and construction timelines.

    Neil Avenue

    Work on the new Postle Hall started in 2018 and is on track to wrap up in December.

    At the southeast corner of Neil and 11th, the Optometry Clinic and Health Sciences Faculty Office Building is almost complete and scheduled to open this month.

    Just west of Neil, on 10th Avenue, work is continuing on the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Center. The first phase of the project is due to be completed in early 2022, with future phases opening in 2023 and 2024.

    Postle Hall.
    Optometry Clinic and Health Sciences Faculty Office Building.

    More information on OSU’s construction projects can be found at buildingthefuture.osu.edu.

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    Brent Warren
    Brent Warrenhttps://columbusunderground.com/author/brent-warren
    Brent Warren is a staff reporter for Columbus Underground covering urban development, transportation, city planning, neighborhoods, and other related topics. He grew up in Grandview Heights, lives in the University District and studied City and Regional Planning at OSU.
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