As construction progresses at a rapid pace on the north side of OSU’s campus – two new dorms at the corner of Lane Avenue and High Street and another at Lane and Neil Avenue are close to being topped out – planning continues for the eventual reshaping of a key entrance to the south end of the campus.
The new dorms represent the first phase of the massive North Residential District, while the southern entrance that will be getting a new look is Cannon Drive, which will be straightened out to allow for new development on about 12 acres of land north of King Avenue and adjacent to the OSU Wexner Medical Center.
OSU does not have specific plans for the new parcels; they are labelled as “partnership” opportunities in the One OSU Framework Plan and depicted as multi-story buildings lining the east side of the realigned street.
“We are pleased to partner with the City of Columbus,” said Jay Kasey, Senior Vice President of Administration and Planning at OSU. “The relocation of Cannon Drive is an important next step for the development of The Ohio State University and will continue the meaningful work outlined in the One Ohio State Framework Plan.”
The land between the new Cannon Drive and the Olentangy River would be converted to green space, creating a large open area meant to complement and provide access to the newly-restored river.
The city of Columbus is taking the lead on the road project, with design costs being shared by OSU. Construction is not scheduled to begin until January of 2016.
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