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Department of Athletics announces Center for Sports Intelligence & Strategy Areas of impact could include roster management, scheduling, scholarships, budgeting and operations The Ohio State Department of Athletics is launching a groundbreaking internal resource designed to elevate performance and support championship-level success across its 36 varsity sports in the rapidly evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics. The new Center for Sports Intelligence & Strategy will bring together a cross-functional team of athletics department administrators dedicated to driving strategic planning, optimizing data-driven decision-making, and fostering collaboration across teams. This innovative unit will provide Ohio State coaches with access to cutting-edge analytics, strategic insights and tools designed to inform and enhance key areas such as recruiting, scheduling, resource allocation and roster construction. https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2025/6/12/general-dept-of-athletics-announces-center-for-sports-intelligence-strategy

A look from above at Siren’s Curse as construction nears completion

City of Dublin planning new multi mile 'destination' trail The city of Dublin is planning a new east-west multipurpose trail that would span the eastern and western borders of the city. The Signature Trail will be an east-west connector trail, beginning near Darree Fields and ending near Sawmill Road (the exact trail alignment has not been determined yet). Compared to a traditional shared use path, the Signature Trail will be more comprehensive and have lighting, art, and other elements. This is a multi-phase project that will involve numerous opportunities for public engagement from planning to construction. You can take a five-minute survey to help the City of Dublin determine priorities for the Signature Trail here: https://telldublin.dublinohiousa.gov/dublin-signature-trail

Match Point Pickleball Club to open large facility on the Far East Side One of the largest indoor pickleball facilities in the world is set to open this fall on Columbus' Far East Side. Match Point Pickleball Club will cater to local players of the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. and host national tournaments. The facility will occupy 125,000 square feet, more than half the 250,000-square-foot warehouse/manufacturing building at 350 McCormick Blvd. With 38 indoor courts, Match Point will have more indoor courts than any other facility on the planet. Match Point will include two combo paddle and pickleball courts, golf simulators, putting areas, locker rooms, a pro shop and a two-story restaurant. The courts will also be padded for players' comfort and include cameras and screens for instant video replays. Match Point will offer court rentals, tiered memberships, classes, pro instruction and organized leagues. Match Point plans to open Oct 1st. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/06/06/new-pickleball-club-coming-to-columbus-could-be-largest-in-the-world/84009749007/

Coca-Cola bottler opens $90 million distribution center at Rickenbacker Industrial Complex The largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States is opening a $90 million distribution center on Columbus' Far South Side. Distributor Coca-Cola Consolidated's new 60-acre campus inside the Rickenbacker Industrial Complex includes a 400,000-square-foot distribution and warehouse facility and two 15,000-square-foot buildings to house equipment repair services and fleet maintenance, the company shared in a news release. The Columbus warehouse, which celebrated the new facility with a grand opening May 14, will handle more than 16 million cases of beverages each year — an average of 75,000 cases a day, according to the news release. The facility is expected to employ 360 workers. https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2025/05/15/coca-cola-bottler-opening-90-million-distribution-center/83540542007/

Columbus developer Daimler Group building 368-unit apartment complex on North Hamilton Road "A 368-unit apartment complex is coming to North Hamilton Road as the Columbus region seeks to add more housing. The Langham at Chestnut Hill apartment complex is slated for a nearly 20-acre undeveloped site at 5295 N. Hamilton Road, north of Chilmark Drive, east of Nafzger Drive, south of a self-storage facility and west of small commercial businesses that front North Hamilton Road. The site is in Columbus but within the New Albany-Plain Local School District. In March, Columbus City Council approved rezoning the property to allow for apartments, council minutes show. The complex, which is being built by Columbus builder Daimler Group, will consist of 23 two- and three-story buildings, planning documents show. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/05/21/368-unit-apartment-complex-coming-to-north-hamilton-road/83417410007/

Jack in the Box and Del Taco say they're eyeing expansion in the Columbus area Jack in the Box, an iconic West Coast burger chain that serves breakfast all day, includes eggrolls on its menu and actually sells more tacos than hamburgers, has its eyes on central Ohio for expansion. The company that owns the 74-year-old restaurant chain already has come to Powell and Whitehall with its other brand, Del Taco. A Jack in the Box representative told The Dispatch that it's seeking new locations throughout central Ohio for both chains. https://www.aol.com/jack-box-del-taco-theyre-181244546.html

Violet Township proposes zoning district to create walkable community around new Meijer As Pickerington plans for a Meijer Supercenter on annexed Violet Township land, the township is proposing a special zoning district that would create a walkable, community-oriented environment on nearly 700 acres surrounding the box store site. Violet Township has proposed changing its zoning code to create the Community Gathering Place Overlay District that would allow for a mix of single-family homes, apartments, townhomes, parks, schools and day cares, offices, restaurants, other commercial businesses and other uses, according to a draft of the amendment. The Violet Township Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing about the amendment at 7 p.m. May 20 at the township's administrative offices, 10190 Blacklick Eastern Road. The site surrounds the 160,000-square-foot Meijer Supercenter coming to the southeast corner of Refugee and Pickerington roads, southeast of Pickerington High School North. Store officials have said construction would likely begin in 2027 or 2028. The overlay zoning district primarily covers land southeast of Refugee and Pickerington roads that is north of Stemen Road. It also includes land northeast of Refugee and Pickerington roads that is east of Heron Xing Boulevard and south of Ribault Drive, as well as 57 acres southwest of Refugee and Pickerington roads. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/05/16/violet-township-aims-to-create-walkable-community-around-new-meijer/83298206007/

Ice arena, pavilion heading to council "After receiving a rezoning amendment for the site in March, the first plans for the Maridel mixed-use development are beginning to materialize after the Delaware Planning Commission approved a development plan and conditional use permit request by the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets on Wednesday for the Performance Impact Arena and Pavilion on the site’s northeast corner. As part of the March rezoning, the 258-acre Maridel subdivision was divided into nine sub-areas, permitting a variety of commercial uses that align with the City’s comprehensive plan and Southwest Focus Area Plan. Subarea A, which spans 13.45 acres on the southwest corner of Sawmill Parkway and U.S. Route 42, is being proposed for an indoor hockey arena and performance amphitheater. The indoor facility would feature three rinks and training facilities for off-ice skills. One covered outdoor rink is also included in the proposal as part of an outdoor pavilion that could host summer concerts and other events, with capacity seating listed at 6,000. The entire facility would span more than 127,000 square feet. During the March rezoning discussions for the entire Maridel proposal, Gingher said the area and pavilion have been modeled after a similar facility in St. Louis. In discussions with the operators of that facility, Gingher said he is confident the outdoor rink can keep ice down as long as the temperature stays at 65 degrees or below, giving them a range from October through February to play outdoor hockey. With the Delaware Planning Commission’s recommendation for approval, the development plan will now go before the Delaware City Council for final consideration. A first reading is expected as part of the next council meeting on May 12, and a public hearing will be scheduled for the June 9 meeting." https://www.delgazette.com/2025/05/09/ice-arena-pavilion-heading-to-council/

Another rendering:

Gahanna developer building 251-unit high-end apartment complex on Morse Road "A 251-unit high-end apartment complex is coming to Morse Road as central Ohio clamors for more housing. Elliott Parc is under construction on a nearly 14-acre undeveloped site southwest of Morse Road and Preserve Crossing Boulevard. The complex, which is within the city of Gahanna and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, is being built by Gahanna-based developer The Stonehenge Co. The complex will have a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments in 11 three-story buildings. Complex amenities include a clubhouse with fitness center and community rooms, pool, dog park, rain gardens and constructed wetlands, according to site plans. The development will have two access points on Morse Road, with a right turn lane into the development added to Morse Road, site plans show." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/05/02/gahanna-developer-building-251-unit-apartment-complex-on-morse-road/83350769007/

Biotech firm Amgen adding hundreds of jobs, plans $900M New Albany expansion "Amgen will invest $900 million to expand its New Albany manufacturing facility and add 350 jobs in what is the largest life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion in the history of Ohio. The project, announced April 25, will add to the roughly 400 jobs already promised in central Ohio by the biotech company and bring its total local investment to $1.4 billion. The project is on track to be completed in 2027 and spans 418,000 square feet. Amgen, based in Thousand Oaks, California, first broke ground in New Albany in 2021 on a 270,000 square-foot pharmaceutical packaging facility that opened in February 2024." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/healthcare/2025/04/25/amgen-biotech-expanding-adding-jobs-new-albany-central-ohio/83254984007/

The ceremonial launch for the residential development adjacent to Lower.com Field was today in Astor Park. The residential project is a partnership between the Haslam Sports Group and the Pizzuti Companies. Dubbed Residential A Block, the development will have 261 multifamily units - some apartments and some townhomes. Astor Park currently includes a 154,000-square-foot office building with 17,250 square feet of ground-floor retail space, plus a public plaza and park. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/04/haslam-sports-group-expands-columbus-footprint-with-astor-park-residential-project.html

Bank Run — The Shape of Things to Come Bank Run Metro Park, located just off of Rohr Road on the far south side, is founded on the former Hoover Y Park and an adjacent disused quarry site, stretching to a combined 166 acres. The vision for Bank Run moves beyond the typical Metro Park and places greater emphasis on this new park as an event and meeting space. In particular, large events that Metro Parks struggles to host at its existing parks will be welcome and easily accommodated at Bank Run, such as organized 5K runs, festivals and very large picnics. A 5-kilometer trail has been laid out that will wend its way through woodland and around a large quarry lake. Users of the facilities will have an option to have Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure staff provide kayaking or paddleboarding try-it sessions on the lake. Building renovations are underway at Bank Run that will yield two beautiful lodges, each accommodating 99 people for sit-down functions, plus a newly-built 299-person outdoor shelter. All of these facilities will be available for renting separately or in combination. With lots of additional picnic tables and grills and plenty of green space, Metro Parks expects it can accommodate gatherings of up to 10,000 people and more, a far larger capacity than for any of the 20 current Metro Parks. A large stage with electrical connections is being renovated at Bank Run and can be used on site for music performances or presentations. The park is bordered on its northern-side by a beautiful stretch of Big Walnut Creek and trails will lead down to the river bank, where visitors can freely enjoy the scenic views. Acquiring the land that will become Bank Run Metro Park also allows Metro Parks to protect this section of the Big Walnut Creek watershed. Lots more info on Bank Run Metro Park found here: https://www.metroparks.net/blog/bank-run-the-shape-of-things-to-come/

Latest update on the Market Street Extension was released today... According to NA, the project remains on schedule. The city expects work to be "substantially complete by November 2025" A little recap on the project: "In an effort to ease congestion in the heart of town and prepare for future growth, the City of New Albany acquired all of the land necessary to construct an extension of Market Street northeast of the Village Center to connect with Dublin-Granville Road and US 62. As you travel east on Market Street leaving the Village Center, what is currently a dead end at Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road will become a roundabout. The city will extend Market Street northeast from that future roundabout to connect with Dublin-Granville Road. Third Street between Dublin-Granville Road and US-62 will also be reconstructed to provide a seamless flow of traffic from the new Market Street extension to US-62. ...The Market Street extension will feature a beautiful new water feature with wetland plantings. It will also include a new scenic overlook that will be part of a connection to Rose Run Phase II..." Latest construction updates on the Market Street Extension found here: https://newalbanyohio.org/market-street-extension/

Earlier in April, Columbus leaders launched the Clean and Safe Corridor initiative by deploying a "strike force of city resources" to Parsons Avenue on the South Side. The program concentrates city efforts in commercial districts for short periods, bringing in police and city workers to fill potholes, inspect code violations, impound cars and take other beautification and safety actions. Ginther is announcing the next three corridors that will benefit from the initiative: Sullivant Avenue in the Hilltop, Livingston Avenue on the South Side, and part of North High Street in the Short North. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/04/16/columbus-mayor-andrew-ginther-affordable-housing-bonds-eviction-court-state-of-city/83100198007/

100-year-old Franklinton building could become CAPA performance venue in deal with the city of Columbus "The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts is working with the city to take over management of the Idea Foundry in Franklinton, and operate a performance space in the 100-year-old building. CAPA would manage the old factory under an agreement with the city, which controls the building through the city's real-estate nonprofit Columbus Next Generation ("NextGen"). Using city money, NextGen in December paid $5 million for the Idea Foundry and $2.5 million for Gravity Experience Park, sort of an adult playground next door on West State Street. City officials offered few details about the purchase at the time, but this week acknowledged the city bought the building to keep it as civic space including potential CAPA performance space. Under a proposal crafted by CAPA and Hannah Jones, the city's deputy director of community development, a nonprofit organization would be formed to manage the building, an arrangement akin to the Lincoln Theatre, which is owned by the city and managed by CAPA. In addition to CAPA's role, the proposal for the Idea Foundry includes: • Restoring a retail presence near the main entrance, where a coffee shop once operated, "to improve the level of vibrancy within the building." • Developing "the land on the west side of the parcel," now occupied by the experience park, in partnership with the New Albany development firm Grateful Development and the job-training organization SkillArc. • Potentially developing an outdoor rooftop space, something Bandar said has long been planned." https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/real-estate/2025/04/16/changes-planned-for-franklintons-idea-foundry-under-capa-plan/83084471007/

Ohio State Men's Tennis Wins 19th Consecutive Big Ten Regular Season Title "Another year, another Big Ten regular season title for the Ohio State men's tennis team. For the 19th consecutive season, the Buckeyes will be the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Ohio State swept Northwestern on Sunday, beating the Wildcats 4-0 in a match that the Buckeyes dominated from start to finish. In doing so, OSU clinched at least a share of the title and kept its conference championship streak alive, one that has lasted nearly two decades." https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-athletics/2025/04/155780/ohio-state-mens-tennis-wins-19th-consecutive-big-ten-regular-season-title

Today's Dispatch has a picture of United Way's downtown demolition

Blendon Woods Metro Park opens first inclusive playground in Columbus Thursday morning, the first inclusive playground in Columbus was dedicated at Blendon Woods Metro Park on the city's northeast side. The playground is "exclusively inclusive," meaning groups can reserve the space for private events, and it was designed not only for children, but also adults of all abilities to be able to play safely. This $1.5-million project included the creation of the playground, renovation of the restroom facilities to make them more accessible and the installation of play structures. A $20,000 grant from the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities assisted with restroom renovations. https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/kindness/2025/04/10/columbus-metro-parks-inclusive-playground-blendon-woods/83031346007/

National chain featuring Dubai chocolate shakes, sundaes and bars opening first Central Ohio location on the west side Dubai chocolate everything is coming to HIlliard. Juice Time, the popular national concept known for creating a wide variety of unique, decadent desserts, is opening its first Ohio eatery. Juice Time Columbus will open its first Buckeye State storefront in Hilliard. The concept is located at 1722 Hilliard Rome Rd. The fast-growing brand is likely best known for its range of Dubai chocolate-inspired desserts, modeled after the viral Dubai Chocolate Bar food trend. The concept offers traditional Dubai Chocolate Bars, in addition to Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream, topped with pistachio sauce and caramel sauce, Dubai Chocolate Brownies, Dubai Chocolate Crepes and more. https://614now.com/2025/food-drink/national-chain-featuring-dubai-chocolate-shakes-sundaes-and-bars-opening-first-central-ohio-location

US 23 bypass plan added to transportation budget aims to ease Delaware County congestion Plans to reconstruct much of U.S. 23 to improve safety and efficiency through Delaware County would cost an estimated $1.6 billion and likely take more than a decade to complete. And when details were announced earlier this year, including a series of new interchanges, collector roads and overpasses, there was little discussion about bypassing Delaware County altogether. But Ohio House Bill 54, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed in March, mandates funding to study a long-discussed bypass to divert traffic around this 23-mile stretch of crowded roadway between Worthington and Waldo in southern Marion County. The $11.5-billion, two-year transportation budget allocates $500,000 for the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission to work with the Ohio Department of Transportation to begin plans for a bypass that would connect U.S. 23 to Interstate 71, in northern Delaware County. The bill does not require construction, only study, including preliminary engineering plans. According to the Legislative Budget Office, the connection between U.S. 23 and I-71 could happen either by: • Expanding Route 229 or a similar state route in northern Delaware County • Creating a new freeway in northern Delaware County • Creating a toll road or new freeway in the region between Route 529 and Waldo, which would head east toward I-71 north of Marengo in Marion and Morrow counties Ringle said that both projects — a bypass and U.S. 23 reconstruction — are compatible, but he cautions state officials against losing focus on either. ODOT's priorities are to reduce crashes by installing wider roads, new interchanges and other upgrades north from I-270 along U.S. 23 through Delaware. ODOT had previously announced plans to reduce the 39 traffic lights along the 23-mile stretch of roadway to seven or fewer. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/04/07/delaware-county-traffic-could-lessen-with-bypass-and-route-23-upgrades/82791643007/

More on that^ “World-First” Slides Under Construction at Zoombezi Bay "Zoombezi Bay waterpark, located next to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, is building a ground-breaking new waterslide complex. Conservation Tower will hold three new waterslides by ProSlide Technology. Development of the slide complex began in late 2023, took around 18 months, and was announced during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo in November 2024." ______ Celebrating the Zoo’s pollinator conservation efforts, The Hive is the first slide of its kind in the world where riders in a two-person tube soar through two massive beehive-shaped helixes. ______ Captina Falls is a dual slide where riders race head-first on individual mats through high-speed turns and rally points. It’s the only RallyRACER with FlyingSAUCER turns in the world. The name comes from Captina Creek in eastern Ohio where Ohio’s endangered hellbender salamanders have been released. ______ A first-in-the-Midwest experience, Mussel Mayhem features two halfpipe cutbacks and two funnel elements, highlighting the importance of freshwater mussels in Ohio’s rivers. It also uses two-person rafts where riders face each other. https://www.coaster101.com/2025/04/05/world-firsts-at-zoombezi-bay/

The Ohio Department of Transportation is launching a record-$3.2 billion construction season. This includes 955 projects, 38 of them considered “major” with a value above $10 million, across the state. This year’s construction season will improve 5,538 miles of pavement, enough to pave a two-lane road from New York City to San Diego, and 844 bridges. Ohio boasts one of the largest safety programs, per capita, of any state in the United States. ODOT Unveils 2025 Construction Season in Central Ohio In the central Ohio region, construction will begin on 94 new projects for an investment of $446 million. This year’s construction program includes 15 safety projects directly aimed at reducing serious or deadly crashes in central Ohio. It also includes 16 bridge projects, 12 pavement projects, and 8 major projects each over $10 million. NOTABLE NEW PROJECTS IN CENTRAL OHIO INCLUDE: • I-70/I-270/Brice Road Westbound Interchange Improvements as part of the next phase of the Far East Freeway project • Pavement reconstruction on I-70 in Franklin County between the Madison County line and Hilliard Rome Road • Resurfacing of U.S. 42 in Union County between U.S. 33 and SR 745 • New Interchange at U.S. 33 and Pickerington Road In addition to new projects starting this year, motorists will continue to see progress at the I-70/71 split in downtown Columbus as part of the Downtown Ramp Up project and at the I-270/70 interchange on the east side. South of Columbus, work continues on widening I-71 between the Franklin County line and SR 323 in Madison County. Progress also continues on the I-70 reconstruction in Zanesville, which is expected to enter phase three towards the end of this construction season.

Cedar Point’s Sirens Curse Construction Update- April "Cedar Point is set to make history with Sirens Curse, the first-ever tilt coaster in the United States. Designed by Vekoma of the Netherlands, this technological marvel will take riders on a massive platform before tilting them into a vertical drop, sending them into a twisted tangle of airtime hills, high-speed turns, and inversions." Spring has arrived, and construction on Sirens Curse is progressing rapidly... About 75% of the track is installed, with the lift hill nearing its peak. Once topped out, the manufacturer will conduct final alignment checks and test the tilt track’s hydraulic functions. The tunnel’s been dug, featuring 700 yards of concrete at five feet thick. It sits 20 feet below ground, below Lake Erie, with measures in place to prevent water penetration. The station’s steel structure is being erected, and the second-floor concrete has been poured. A major milestone was installing the 90° drop from the tilt tower, a highlight of the ride’s layout. https://behindthethrills.com/2025/04/cedar-points-sirens-curse-construction-update/