From $12.6B University Assets to $3.5M Columbus Statue Park: Central Ohio Institutional Investment Surge Signals Regional Economic Anchoring Strategy

Hey, it's Gagan. I'm still the only Gagan Timsina in the world (as far as I know).

This week shows incredible institutional coordination - university, housing authority, and cultural development all making major moves simultaneously. That's not coincidence, that's strategy. BTW, did a video on Dublin Ohio here. Watch it below

In today's newsletter:

• Ohio State Financial Surge: $1.5B net asset growth reaches $12.6B total with medical center driving performance and $11B operating budget approval

• Housing Authority Expansion: $86.3M bonds fund 698 new affordable units across three cities while leveraging existing assets for 400-500 more units

• Columbus Statue Park: $3.5M Scioto River park proposal with community gathering space and contextualized statue backed by major foundation grants

• Regional Strategy: Coordinated institutional investment demonstrates long-term economic anchoring approach across Central Ohio

OHIO STATE SURGES TO $12.6B NET ASSETS WITH $1.5B GROWTH DRIVEN BY MEDICAL CENTER PERFORMANCE

Ohio State reports massive financial gains with Wexner Medical Center leading enterprise-wide growth, while trustees approve $11B operating budget despite challenging higher education landscape. [Columbus Business First]

Key Numbers:

• $1.5 billion net asset increase in fiscal year 2025

• $12.6 billion total university net position

• $11 billion operating budget approved for FY2026

• $1 billion construction and equipment commitment

• $825 million fundraising year (25% increase, beating $675M goal)

• $1.9 billion University Hospital tower completing spring 2026

Strategic Shifts:

• Medical center now primary financial driver beyond traditional enrollment revenue

• Standard & Poor's upgrades bond rating based on strong performance

• Focus shifting from new construction to repairs and renovations

• West campus innovation district using private developer ground leases

• $1.6 billion research portfolio relatively stable despite federal funding concerns

Why It Matters: Ohio State's financial surge creates regional economic anchor independent of federal funding volatility. The medical center performance and private partnership model position the university as sustained economic driver while ground lease opportunities open private sector development potential.

HOUSING AUTHORITY DEPLOYS $86.3M FOR 698 NEW AFFORDABLE UNITS ACROSS THREE CITIES

Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority approves comprehensive expansion with strategic acquisitions, new construction, and equity optimization creating over 1,100 total new units. [Columbus Dispatch]

Major Projects:

• Rosebrook Village: $26M acquisition of 244 units in Reynoldsburg at 55% market value

• AspireCOLUMBUS: $28.8M downtown construction creating 82 mixed-income units

• Grove City Land: $2.6M purchase for 200-unit development near Mount Carmel hospital

• Tussing Place Sale: $4.5M equity leverage generating 400-500 additional units elsewhere

Additional Investments:

• $13M Easton area office headquarters purchase with $1.5M renovations

• $26M project-based voucher extensions maintaining downtown affordability

• Strategic asset evaluation maximizing development capacity

Geographic Strategy:

• Reynoldsburg: Preserving existing affordable housing in high-demand area

• Downtown: Mixed-income development supporting workforce housing

• Grove City: Transit corridor positioning near major medical campus

• County-wide: Equity optimization multiplying development capacity

Why It's Strategic: The coordinated multi-jurisdiction approach preserves affordability while leveraging financial engineering to maximize unit creation. Geographic diversification supports broader economic development while maintaining workforce housing for corporate expansion.

$3.5M SCIOTO RIVER PARK PROPOSAL REIMAGINES COLUMBUS STATUE WITH COMMUNITY SPACE

Reimagining Columbus Team unveils comprehensive cultural infrastructure plan featuring contextualized statue placement within 5-acre riverfront park designed for community gathering and historical education. [WSYX]

Park Design:

• 5-acre spiral design along Scioto River

• Central circular gathering space for festivals and concerts

• Multi-tiered statue viewing (base level and elevated perspectives)

• River access with water recreation opportunities

• Reflective space under large stained glass skylight

Funding & Collaboration:

• $2 million Mellon Foundation grant

• $1.5 million public art funding

• Indigenous architects and engagement specialists

• Historians and diversity advisors

• Community narrative sharing through restorative practices

Additional Elements:

• Sound installation for original City Hall statue location

• Discovery Bridge medallion collaborations with neighborhoods

• Educational text contextualizing Columbus's controversial legacy

• Indigenous perspectives integrated throughout design

Community Approach: The 22-foot statue (removed from City Hall in 2020) gets new context emphasizing both Columbus history and Indigenous treatment, designed through extensive community engagement rather than top-down decision making.

Why It's Critical: Creates permanent riverfront amenity supporting downtown activation while demonstrating complex community engagement capacity. The grant funding and collaborative process establish precedent for inclusive cultural development supporting broader tourism and residential attraction.

THIS WEEK'S WRAP-UP

Home owners: University asset growth and coordinated institutional investment validate regional stability while cultural amenities enhance community attractiveness across multiple jurisdictions.

Home buyers: Affordable housing expansion creates diverse options in Reynoldsburg, Grove City, and downtown while institutional coordination signals sustained economic growth and employment opportunities.

Investors: $12.6B university assets plus strategic housing authority expansion demonstrate institutional commitment to regional anchoring, creating foundation for sustained corporate attraction and residential development.

Bottom line: This week reveals coordinated institutional strategy positioning Columbus region for long-term economic stability through education, housing, and cultural infrastructure investment, creating competitive advantages independent of federal funding volatility.

Thinking about capitalizing on these institutional opportunities? Let's connect you with our partners who understand the regional strategy.

[Schedule a call]

See you next week,

— Gagan Timsina