From Arena Upgrades to Data Centers: Columbus Region Powers Through Major Development Wave

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

And here's What it’s like to live in Columbus, Ohio

In today's newsletter:

• Nationwide Arena Unveils $400M Modernization Plans: Four-year transformation includes new food hall, outdoor terrace, and enhanced fan experience

• New Albany Company Expands with 1,200-Acre Marysville Development: Master-planned business parks target advanced manufacturing and tech companies

• Data Center Boom Continues: Vantage and EdgeConneX drive 800MW+ of new capacity outside Columbus metro

• Delaware County Ice Arena Project: $84M facility promises tournament hub and 600,000 annual visitors

SPONSORED BY: GT REAL ESTATE GROUP

NATIONWIDE ARENA LAUNCHES MASSIVE $400M MODERNIZATION TO COMPETE FOR NATIONAL EVENTS

Columbus officials released detailed renderings for Nationwide Arena's comprehensive $400 million modernization project, positioning the 25-year-old facility to compete for major national events over the next four to five years. [Columbus Business First]

Key Highlights:

• $400 million budget with four-to-five-year completion timeline

• Main entrance expansion incorporating adjacent office building at 375 N. Front St.

• New food hall with skylight on top floor, plus outdoor terrace with LED screen

• Complete concessions overhaul throughout entire arena facility

• Enhanced accessibility, upgraded seating, renovated restrooms, and improved elevators

What Makes It Transformational:

• Adjacent office building conversion creates seamless indoor-outdoor entertainment experience

• Food hall and terrace design connects fans to action while providing gathering spaces

• Comprehensive concessions upgrade impacts every visitor with local merchant partnerships

• Strategic positioning to compete with Lower.com Field and Huntington Park for events

• Infrastructure improvements support increased event capacity and national tournament bids

This modernization represents the largest single investment in Columbus's entertainment infrastructure in over a decade.

For property investors, the arena upgrades should significantly boost property values in the Arena District and surrounding neighborhoods.

The enhanced visitor experience and increased event capacity will drive more overnight stays, restaurant visits, and economic activity throughout downtown Columbus.

The four-year construction timeline provides a clear investment horizon for nearby commercial and residential properties, while the facility's improved competitiveness for national events should generate sustained tourism revenue growth.

NEW ALBANY COMPANY CONQUERS MARYSVILLE WITH 1,200-ACRE INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION

The New Albany Company strategically acquired 1,200 acres in Marysville for two master-planned business parks, marking the company's largest expansion outside its home base and targeting advanced manufacturing companies. [Columbus Business First]

Key Highlights:

• 1,200 total acres split between Marysville East and Marysville South developments

• Custom planned unit development zoning blending manufacturing innovation with light industrial

• Target tenants include advanced manufacturers, automotive suppliers, semiconductor companies, and data centers

• New road construction and utility infrastructure starting early 2026

• Community authority established to offset infrastructure costs

What Makes It Strategic:

• Marysville's cooperative city council and staff provided regulatory flexibility other communities couldn't match

• Custom zoning code written specifically for automation-heavy, high-skill manufacturing projects

• Strategic positioning to capture One Columbus and JobsOhio economic development referrals

• Infrastructure partnership model reduces developer risk while accelerating project timeline

• Union County location provides access to Columbus metro without New Albany's premium pricing

The Marysville expansion demonstrates New Albany Company's systematic approach to capturing Ohio's manufacturing renaissance.

For investors, this development signals major industrial growth potential in Union County, particularly for properties serving advanced manufacturing workers and supply chain logistics.

The infrastructure investments and job creation should drive residential demand throughout the Marysville corridor.

The partnership approach with local government reduces typical development delays and suggests other similar projects could follow, creating sustained economic momentum for the region.

DATA CENTER GIANTS VANTAGE AND EDGECONNEX DRIVE 800MW+ EXPANSION ACROSS COLUMBUS METRO

Two major data center operators announced significant Columbus-area expansions, with Vantage targeting a 500-acre campus in Millersport and EdgeConneX acquiring 270 acres near New Albany for massive computing infrastructure. [Data Center Dynamics]

Key Highlights:

• Vantage plans 800MW campus across five buildings on 500 acres near Millersport

• EdgeConneX spent $137.2 million acquiring 270 acres plus industrial building in Licking County

• Vantage construction starts before year-end, first building operational by 2027

• EdgeConneX deploying 120MW natural gas power plant to support data center operations

• Combined projects represent over 920MW of new computing capacity

What Makes It Significant:

• Millersport location 28 miles west of Columbus provides strategic geographic diversification

• Behind-the-meter power generation reduces grid dependency and operational costs

• $137.2 million EdgeConneX acquisition demonstrates confidence in Columbus market fundamentals

• Natural gas power plant provides energy independence and reliability for enterprise clients

• Multiple operators choosing Columbus validates region's infrastructure and business climate

The data center expansion wave positions Columbus as a major Midwest technology hub competing with Chicago and Atlanta.

For property owners, proximity to data center campuses typically drives industrial land values higher while creating demand for supporting services and workforce housing. The substantial power infrastructure investments benefit the broader regional economic development capacity.

The geographic spread across multiple counties reduces concentration risk while the scale of investment suggests sustained growth in high-tech employment and associated professional services demand.

DELAWARE COUNTY ICE ARENA PROJECT TARGETS $84M ECONOMIC IMPACT AND TOURNAMENT HUB STATUS Ohio

AAA Blue Jackets unveiled plans for a 127,000-square-foot performance arena and pavilion complex in Delaware County, promising to address Columbus's ice shortage while creating a regional tournament destination. [NBC4]

Key Highlights:

• 127,000-square-foot facility with three indoor rinks plus convertible outdoor amphitheater

• 6,000-seat outdoor amphitheater transforms into fourth rink during winter months

• Projected $84.4 million annual economic output with 600,000 visitors annually

• 172 new jobs created, operational by May 2027

• Located at U.S. 42 and Sawmill Parkway intersection in Delaware County

What Makes It Notable:

• Columbus currently has only 10 public ice sheets, unchanged since 2004

• Tournament capacity shortage forces Columbus to turn down major hockey events

• Public-private partnership model includes school field trips and community skating

• Blue Jackets affiliation provides professional hockey credibility and marketing reach

• Delaware County location provides accessible venue for regional tournament travel

The ice arena project addresses a clear infrastructure gap while creating a new entertainment destination for central Ohio families.

For real estate investors, the facility's projected 600,000 annual visitors should benefit nearby hospitality, retail, and residential properties. The tournament hub positioning brings overnight visitors requiring hotels, restaurants, and shopping throughout Delaware County.

The May 2027 timeline allows investors to position ahead of increased traffic and economic activity, while the community programming ensures year-round utilization beyond hockey season.

THIS WEEK'S WRAP-UP

Home owners: The Nationwide Arena modernization should positively impact property values in the Arena District and downtown corridors. Monitor development progress as the enhanced entertainment destination drives increased foot traffic and neighborhood investment.

Home buyers: Consider Delaware County properties near the planned ice arena for long-term appreciation potential. The 600,000 annual visitors and tournament hosting capability should support sustained property value growth in the area.

Investors: The data center boom continues validating Columbus's infrastructure advantages, while the Marysville industrial expansion demonstrates manufacturing growth potential. These large-scale developments create ripple effects throughout related service industries and residential markets.

Bottom line: This week showcases Columbus's ability to attract major capital investment across entertainment, technology, and manufacturing sectors. The $400M arena upgrade, $137M+ data center acquisitions, and large-scale industrial developments demonstrate sustained confidence in the region's economic trajectory and growth potential.

Thinking about capitalizing on these opportunities? Let's chat and connect you with our partners!

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See you next week,

— Gagan Timsina