Arena District

Last updated
Arena District
Neighborhood of Columbus
Columbus, Ohio JJ 30-crop.jpg
The Arena District (foreground) by downtown
Arena District
Interactive map of the neighborhood
Coordinates: 39°58′09″N83°00′22″W / 39.969270°N 83.006039°W / 39.969270; -83.006039
Country United States
State Ohio
County Franklin
City Columbus
ZIP Code
43215
Area code 614
Website www.arenadistrict.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Arena District is a mixed-use planned development and neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. The site was developed through a partnership between Nationwide Realty Investors, Ltd. (a subsidiary of Nationwide), the City of Columbus and private investors. Interpretation of the boundaries of the district are evolving [1] as the neighboring blocks around the original 75-acre (300,000 m2) site have seen additional commercial and residential development. The Arena District is named for Nationwide Arena.

Contents

History

The Ohio Penitentiary Ohio Pen 01.jpg
The Ohio Penitentiary

A Mingo settlement is known to have occupied part of the land along the Scioto River in the 1790s. [2] With the rapid expansion of Columbus, the land subsequently became an industrial corridor. In the 1870s the northern land was mostly small houses and fields. [3] Columbus Buggy Company built its first production sites in the area and continued to expand them until the company moved its production to Dublin Road in 1906. [4] By the 1910s it was a light manufacturing hub home to Pabst Brewing Co., Ohio Casket Co., Stuart Lamneck Co. and the Columbus Auto Brass Co. In the 1930 it had been reduced to vacant houses and several businesses and by 1950 the industry there had mostly dried up. [3]

Three successive railroad hubs, named Union Station, existed on the site, with the first being built in 1850 at High Street and Nationwide Blvd. [4] A second station replaced it in 1868, and a third was built to the west along East Goodale Street. [5] [Note 1]

The Ohio Penitentiary opened on the site in 1834 and served as a large scale prison facility until 1984. The prison grew dramatically in size to house 5,235 prisoners in 1955. But it is also the site of a 1930 fire that killed 322 inmates, one of the worst fires in American prison history. The prison was vacant until it was demolished in 1998. [2] [Note 2]

Arena construction

Around the mid-1990s the area was almost entirely abandoned and redevelopment opportunities were envisioned by the City of Columbus. Following the closure of the Ohio Penitentiary the land was owned by the City of Columbus and it courted various firms and investors for redevelopment plans. At the time of the project in 1996 then City Councilman Michael B. Coleman, who was later the mayor of Columbus, said that the Ohio Penitentiary site is the “most important and potentially most valuable single site in downtown Columbus.” [7] After proposals were reviewed, the City Council approved the redevelopment proposal from Nationwide Realty Investors (NRI) and sold the company the 23-acres of land for $11.7 million. NRI purchased an additional four acres from American Electric Power Company (AEP) for $11 million. [8]

The Ohio Department of Development provided a $750,000 grant to help with cleanup on the land. [9]

NRI worked further with The Columbus Dispatch Printing Company, private investors, and the city of Columbus to fund work in the district. NRI funded $450 million of the project, the Dispatch provided an additional $10 million, and other private investors provided $40 million more for the construction of buildings in the Arena District. Additional financing to construct infrastructure was provided by the city of Columbus; these included a tax increment financing (TIF) district in downtown Columbus, and two tax incentive packages: one for downtown office development and another 10 year tax holiday for newly constructed residential properties. [10] [11]

Subsequent development

In 2009, there had been a proposal to construct the Hollywood Casino Columbus in the Arena District on the site of a former tool factory next to Huntington Park, estimated to cost $250 million including 5,000 slot machines and table games, but was met with opposition from landlords in the Arena District. [9] The casino was eventually built in the city's western neighborhoods. [12] In 2021, Lower.com Field, a soccer-specific stadium that is the home of the Columbus Crew, was built on the site and will be the anchor of the Astor Park neighborhood, which is currently under construction. [13]

By the end of 2013 construction began on the last phase of the Arena District, with an expected completion date of Summer 2014. The last major phase of construction includes the new headquarters for Columbus-based Columbia Gas of Ohio and completed second phase of the residential Flats on Vine. [14]

Geography

The 75-acre (300,000 m2) Arena District site is bounded by Vine Street to the north, Spring Street to the south, N. High Street to the east and Neil Avenue to the west. [15] The commonly accepted borders of the Arena District are considerably larger, as evidenced by both the Arena District website and locals when referring to it. The expanded boundaries include Huntington Park, the Lifestyles Community Pavilion and Buggyworks to the west, and Nationwide's corporate headquarters to the east. [16]

Arena District is directly south of the North Market and Park Street Districts, north of Downtown and west of the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Generally, when walking west of High Street the land falls away towards the Olentangy River, and the grade is significant, especially alongside Nationwide Arena.

The neighborhood has several public spaces that are used for major events throughout the year such as McFerson Commons Park (commonly referred to as Arch Park [17] ), Battelle Plaza and Nationwide Arena Plaza. These events include: The Arnold Sports Festival, Jazz & Rib Fest, Columbus Blue Jackets hockey games and concerts. There is also a pedestrian walkway and footbridge that extends from Battelle Plaza at the east side of Nationwide Arena to Vine Street where there are numerous bars and restaurants, and access to parking garages. [18]

Economy

The neighborhood has numerous restaurants, bars, and shops. The businesses largely depend on high-traffic periods during conventions at the nearby Greater Columbus Convention Center and sporting events at Nationwide Arena and Huntington Park. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the neighborhood businesses suffered from little revenue, as the event centers had canceled all events. [19]

Structures and landmarks

There are several notable structures and landmarks in the Arena District:

Nationwide Arena

Nationwide Arena Columbus-ohio-nationwide-arena.jpg
Nationwide Arena

The namesake of Arena District, Nationwide Arena was completed in 2000 and is the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL hockey team, who is also the primary tenant. Nationwide Arena has a seating capacity of 18,500 for hockey, 19,500 for basketball and 20,000 for concerts. [20] It has also hosted NCAA Men's [21] and Women's [22] Basketball National Championship Regional games, NCAA Men's Ice Hockey games, [23] Ohio State University Fall Semester Convocation, [24] performance events and concerts ranging from Taylor Swift [25] to Disney on Ice. [26]

KEMBA Live!, The Basement and A&R Music Bar

KEMBA Live!, formerly known as Express Live!, Lifestyle Communities Pavilion and PromoWest Pavilion, is a concert venue in Columbus, Ohio. During the spring-summer-autumn seasons, they host outdoor concerts on a regular basis, and have indoor concerts year-round. The venue seats 2,200 (indoors) and 4,500 in its Backyard Amphitheater (outdoors). [27] Smaller acts perform in The Basement, a venue that is attached to the facility, or in the A&R Music Bar next door.

Huntington Park

Huntington Park HuntingtonPark.jpg
Huntington Park

Huntington Park was completed in 2009 and is the home of the Columbus Clippers baseball team. The Clippers have been the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians/Guardians since 2009 and play in the International League. The stadium has also hosted the Big 10 Men's College Baseball tournament in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. It cost $70 million to build. It is not a part of the original Arena District site, but has since been incorporated into the neighborhood. The stadium has a capacity of 10,100 fans and set a stadium record for attendance on July 26, 2010 with an attendance of 12,517 fans for a game between the Clippers and Pawtucket Red Sox. [28]

Lower.com Field

Lower.com Field began construction in 2019 and opened two years later on July 3, 2021 at a cost of $314 million.

McFerson Commons

McFerson Commons McFerson Commons.jpg
McFerson Commons

McFerson Commons, also known as Arch Park, is a 2.21 acres (0.89 ha) park that was developed by Nationwide Insurance after the demolition of the Ohio Penitentiary. It is part of the Scioto Mile Parks System, a sub-system of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. The park is dedicated to honor Dimon R. McFerson who was the Chairman and CEO of Nationwide Insurance from 1992 to 2000. The Beaux-Arts arch is the focal point of the park and is located opposite Nationwide Arena Plaza. The arch was recovered from Columbus's Union Station during its 1979 demolition to make way for the Greater Columbus Convention Center, which serves as the Arena District's eastern boundary. Locals often incorrectly believe the Arch came from the Ohio Penitentiary. The park hosts numerous events throughout the year, such as marathons, triathlons, concerts and auxiliary events for Columbus Blue Jackets games and other events at Nationwide Arena. [29] [30]

Battelle Plaza

Battelle Plaza is an open-air Plaza located on the east side of Nationwide Arena. It is named for Battelle Memorial Institute, a non-profit research and development company. [31] It is the hub of many events, but most notably Columbus Blue Jackets pre-game festivities. It provides access to Nationwide Arena and a pedestrian walkway that runs through the center of the Arena District. This walkway provides further access to restaurants and bars. The pedestrian bridge often serves as a meeting point for those attending events at Nationwide Arena. [32]

Nationwide Arena Plaza

Nationwide Arena Plaza is an open-air plaza located on the west side of Nationwide Arena and sits across Nationwide Boulevard from McFerson Commons. It provides access to the Ohio Health Ice Haus, [33] the practice facility of the Columbus Blue Jackets and several local high school teams, and the Big Lots! Box Office. [34] It hosts numerous events in the Arena District, but serves as a primary entrance for Columbus Blue Jackets games and other arena events. It hosts lines prior to Blue Jackets games for the Student Ticket Rush [35] and the Huntington Green Seats [36] promotions.

Residential

The Arena District has five new-construction residential buildings [37] with a total of 770 units ranging from studio-style apartments to four-bedroom units.

One of these residential buildings, Buggyworks, was the manufacturing facility of the Columbus Buggy Co. The Columbus Buggy Co. is notable for its likely influence on Henry Ford, and production methods for buggys/automobiles, as well as ties to Clinton Firestone (President of Columbus Buggy Co.), cousin to American Industrialist Harvey Samuel Firestone. Harvey Firestone sold Columbus Buggys in Detroit, Michigan prior to the founding of Firestone Tires. Production at the Columbus Buggy Co. peaked in the 1890s, but faltered due to the invention and adoption of the automobile, as well as substantial damage from the Great Flood of 1913. [38]

Sports

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are a National Hockey League hockey team in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 2000 as an expansion team of the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets play their home games and are the primary tenant of Nationwide Arena in the Arena District neighborhood. Their name comes from the Union Army of the American Civil War who wore blue jackets. [39] One of the more notable traditions of the Columbus Blue Jackets is the Cannon used during the hockey games. The cannon is fired when the Blue Jackets enter the arena, score a goal and win a game, followed by the chorus of “The Whip” by band Locksley. The cannon is a replica of a 12 lbs. 1857 Napoleon Cannon that was commonly used during the American Civil War. [40] Two similar Napoleon cannons are a short walk away at the Ohio Statehouse where they can be found “…standing in silent guard,” of the Capitol. [41]

Columbus Clippers

The Columbus Clippers are the minor league Triple-A affiliate of the MLB Cleveland Indians. The Clippers play in the International League and play their home games at Huntington Park. Columbus was awarded the Clippers franchise in 1977. From 1977 to 2008 the Clippers played their home games at Cooper Stadium, previously known as Franklin County Stadium and referred to by fans as “The Coop.” In 2009 the Clippers moved into Huntington Park. The Clippers have been the minor league team for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians. [42]

Columbus Crew

Only July 3, 2021, the Crew moved from their longtime home of Mapfre Stadium to Lower.com Field.

Entertainment

The neighborhood has several public spaces that are used of for major events throughout the year. These events include the Arnold Sports Festival, Jazz & Rib Fest, Columbus Blue Jackets hockey games, marathons and triathlons. Additionally, there are restaurants and bars that populate arena district. Other nearby entertainment is available in the Park Street District, directly north of the Arena District.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbus Blue Jackets</span> National Hockey League team in Ohio, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nationwide Arena</span> Arena in Columbus, Ohio, United States

Nationwide Arena is a multi-purpose arena in the Arena District of Columbus, Ohio. Since completion in 2000, the arena has served as the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). It is one of two facilities in Columbus, along with Greater Columbus Convention Center, that hosts events during the annual Arnold Classic, a sports and fitness event hosted by actor, bodybuilder, and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company</span> Group of large insurance and financial services companies in the United States

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies, commonly shortened to Nationwide, is a group of large U.S. insurance and financial services companies based in Columbus, Ohio. The company also operates regional headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona and Des Moines, Iowa. Nationwide currently has approximately 25,000 employees, and is ranked No. 75 in the 2024 Fortune 500 list. Nationwide is currently ranked No. 21 in Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntington Park (Columbus, Ohio)</span> Baseball stadium in Columbus, Ohio, US

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Value City Arena</span> Multi-purpose arena in Columbus, Ohio, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Columbus, Ohio</span> Neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrison West</span> Neighborhood of Columbus in Franklin, Ohio, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio Penitentiary</span> Ohio prison operating from 1834 to 1984

The Ohio Penitentiary, also known as the Ohio State Penitentiary, was a prison operated from 1834 to 1984 in downtown Columbus, Ohio, in what is now known as the Arena District. The state had built a small prison in Columbus in 1813, but as the state's population grew the earlier facility was not able to handle the number of prisoners sent to it by the courts. When the penitentiary first opened in 1834, not all of the buildings were completed. The prison housed 5,235 prisoners at its peak in 1955. Prison conditions were described as "primitive" and the facility was eventually replaced by the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, a maximum security facility in Lucasville. During its operation, it housed several well-known inmates, including General John H. Morgan, George "Bugs" Moran, O. Henry, Chester Himes, and Sam Sheppard. A separate women's prison was built within its walls in 1837. The buildings were demolished in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Condominiums at North Bank Park</span> Residential high rise at 300 W. Spring St. in the Arena District of Columbus, Ohio

The Condominiums at North Bank Park is a 267 feet (81 m) tall residential high rise at 300 W. Spring St. in the Arena District just north of downtown Columbus, Ohio. It was constructed from 2006 to 2007 and has 20 floors and is one of the tallest structures in the city

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flytown</span>

Flytown was a neighborhood just northwest of downtown Columbus, Ohio, United States. Flytown encompassed portions of the present-day Arena District and western sections of the Victorian Village. In the 19th century, it was considered the center of the Irish-American community in the city after the arrival of immigrants fleeing the Great Famine, and Naghten Street, now Nationwide Boulevard, was nicknamed the "Irish Broadway".

The culture of Columbus, Ohio, is particularly known for museums, performing arts, sporting events, seasonal fairs and festivals, and architecture of various styles from Greek Revival to modern architecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Five (Columbus, Ohio)</span>

High Five was a 2010 marketing effort to create a national identity for Columbus, Ohio by linking five districts along 5 miles (8.0 km) of historic High Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports in Ohio</span>

Ohio is home to many professional and college sports teams. The metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus are home to major league professional sports teams in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer.

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Columbus, Ohio, United States.

Columbus, the capital city of Ohio, was founded on the east bank of the Scioto River in 1812. The city was founded as its capitol, beside the town of Franklinton, since incorporated into Columbus. The city's early history was gradual, as residents dealt with flooding and cholera epidemics, and the city had few direct connections to other cities. This led creation of a feeder canal, and later, freight and passenger railroads. The city became known for its industry and commercial businesses into the 20th century, though it experienced a lull in development in the late 20th century. In the 21st century, Columbus has been increasingly revitalized, led by parks projects, new developments, and efforts to beautify individual neighborhoods. This was of great impact to Ohio's economy and development. Also the positive outcome left a great legacy for the next generation of future leaders and rulers in Columbus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbus Buggy Company</span> American automobile manufacturer

The Columbus Buggy Company was an early buggy and automotive manufacturer based in Columbus, Ohio, United States, from 1875 to 1913.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McFerson Commons</span> Park in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

McFerson Commons, originally Arena Park, is a 2.2-acre (0.9 ha) park in Columbus, Ohio's Arena District neighborhood. The focal point of the park is the Union Station arch, salvaged before the demolition of Columbus's Union Station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Station arch</span> Historical relic in Columbus, Ohio

The Union Station arch is a 35 ft (11 m) Beaux-Arts arch standing at McFerson Commons Park in Columbus, Ohio. The work was designed by renowned architect Daniel Burnham, as part of a grand entranceway to the city's Union Station. It has intricate details, including Corinthian columns, multiple cornices and friezes, and statuary groups; some are currently in storage.

References

  1. ↑ One remaining arch from this station stands in what is now McPherson Park. [3]
  2. ↑ An Ohio Historical Society Marker for Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, who escaped from the prison, is located at the north end of McFerson Commons Park, which is one of several sites created from the former Ohio Penitentiary grounds. [6]

Citations

  1. ↑ Ferenchik, Mark. "Arena District offers residents a sense of community". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 Hunter 2012, pp. 132–133.
  3. 1 2 3 Hunter 2012, pp. 130–131.
  4. 1 2 Hunter 2012, pp. 126–127.
  5. ↑ Hunter 2012, pp. 128–129.
  6. ↑ "Marker #33-25 General John Hunt Morgan, CSA / Morgan's Escape". The Ohio Historical Society. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  7. ↑ McConnell, Kitty (October 2013). "Powerplay". Columbus CEO Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  8. ↑ Economic Development and Smart Growth: 8 Case Studies on the Connections Between Smart Growth Development and Jobs, Wealth, and Quality of Life in Communities (PDF). Washington, DC: International Economic Development Council. August 2006. pp. 29–33. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  9. 1 2 Cox 2016, pp. 24–25.
  10. ↑ McConnell, Kitty (October 2013). "Powerplay". Columbus CEO Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  11. ↑ Economic Development and Smart Growth: 8 Case Studies on the Connections Between Smart Growth Development and Jobs, Wealth, and Quality of Life in Communities (PDF). Washington, DC: International Economic Development Council. August 2006. pp. 29–33. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  12. ↑ Cox 2016, pp. 28–29.
  13. ↑ Five things to know about New Columbus Crew Stadium.
  14. ↑ Ball, Brian (3 July 2013). "Columbia Gas commits to more space in Arena District". Columbus Business First. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  15. ↑ Ferenchik, Mark. "Arena District offers residents a sense of community". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  16. ↑ "Arena District Parking Map" (PDF). Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  17. ↑ "McPherson Commons". NBC4i. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  18. ↑ "Arena District Events". Arena District. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  19. ↑ "No conventions, no hockey spell no traffic for Arena District businesses".
  20. ↑ "Quick Facts". Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  21. ↑ Brennan, Eamonn. "Men's College Basketball Nation Blog". ESPN. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  22. ↑ "Sites for 2013 tournament announced: Norfolk, Trenton among regional hosts for NCAA tournament". NCAA. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  23. ↑ "Ohio State University Men's Ice Hockey". Archived from the original on 21 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  24. ↑ "About Welcome Week / First Time Buckeyes". Archived from the original on 21 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  25. ↑ "The RED Tour at Nationwide Arena" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  26. ↑ "Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove". Archived from the original on 21 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  27. ↑ "PromoWest Business Profile". Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  28. ↑ "Ballpark Profile" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  29. ↑ "About McFerson Commons" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  30. ↑ Halbur, Tim. "Looking Forward to the Future in Columbus" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  31. ↑ "About Us" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  32. ↑ "Arena District Events". Arena District. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  33. ↑ "OhioHealth Ice Haus" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  34. ↑ "Tickets". Archived from the original on 31 January 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  35. ↑ "Student Ticket Rush" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  36. ↑ "2013-14 Promotions" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  37. ↑ "Live the District". Arena District. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  38. ↑ Lovelace, Craig (10 February 2012). "Shaping Columbus: George Peters's Columbus Buggy Co. might have influenced Henry Ford". Columbus Business First. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  39. ↑ Columbus Blue Jackets. "Naming a Team: The Story Behind the Blue Jackets Name" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  40. ↑ "THE STORY BEHIND THE CANNON" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  41. ↑ Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. "Statues And Monuments - Cannons" . Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  42. ↑ milb.com. "Columbus Clippers" . Retrieved 14 April 2015.

Bibliography

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