From Meta's 16-Reactor Pike County Nuclear Campus to Capital Line Gay Street Construction: Tech Giant Advances 3.2-Gigawatt Ohio Strategy While Downtown Pathway Begins Underground Vault Work as City Council Considers New Land Use Plan

Hey, it's Gagan, yep, still the only Gagan Timsina in the world.

And here’s why Columbus will THRIVE over the next 10 years!

This week's data reveals Meta doubling down on Ohio nuclear energy strategy while downtown Columbus advances major pedestrian infrastructure and comprehensive zoning reform enabling growth through next decade.

In today's newsletter:

• Meta Nuclear Expansion: Oklo partnership developing 1.2-gigawatt Pike County campus (up to 16 advanced reactors by 2034) near former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant creating thousands construction-long-term jobs.

• Capital Line Construction Start: Gay Street underground vault filling beginning this week (Miles-McClellan subcontractor, Messer Construction management) with mid-April completion enabling June street-level construction Front-to-Fourth Street.

• Zoning Reform Advancement: City Council considering new land use plan establishing mixed-use development categories (three types with Mixed Use 3 allowing 8+ story buildings), industrial-warehouse designations, and business-institutional campus standard.

• Nuclear Strategy Controversy: Pike County resident radiation concerns citing former uranium site contamination history while environmental groups question nuclear prioritization over wind-solar alternatives and consumer advocates warn existing power grid shifts to data centers could raise prices.

META ADVANCES 1.2-GIGAWATT PIKE COUNTY NUCLEAR CAMPUS WITH 16-REACTOR POTENTIAL PLUS 2+ GIGAWATT EXISTING PLANT AGREEMENTS SUPPORTING PROMETHEUS SUPERCLUSTER

Oklo partnership developing small modular reactor campus near former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant with up to 16 advanced reactors by 2034 creating thousands construction-long-term jobs while Davis-Besse Toledo and Perry Cleveland existing nuclear plant 2+ gigawatt power purchase agreements supply carbon-free electricity supporting New Albany Prometheus AI supercluster expansion as Meta commits to "paying full cost" preventing household electric bill pressure despite data centers representing 40% PJM capacity auction costs. [The Columbus Dispatch via Heartland REIA]

Pike County Nuclear Campus:

• 1.2 gigawatt total capacity

• Up to 16 Oklo advanced small modular reactors

• 2034 completion timeline

• Near former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant

• Thousands construction and long-term operation jobs

• "New generation powerhouses" designed for data center service

Existing Plant Agreements:

• Davis-Besse (near Toledo) power purchase

• Perry Nuclear Power Plant (near Cleveland) agreement

• 2+ gigawatt combined carbon-free electricity

• Grid stabilization supporting plants continued operation

• Long-term contract duration (specifics undisclosed)

Prometheus Supercluster Support:

New Albany massive AI data center network expansion requiring consistent baseload power with nuclear 24/7 generation characteristics matching continuous computational workload patterns versus intermittent renewable energy requiring battery storage supplementation.

• Pike County Residents: Radiation risk worries citing former uranium site contamination history

• Environmental Groups: Nuclear prioritization questioning versus wind-solar alternatives

• Consumer Advocates: Existing power shifts to data centers potentially raising prices if new generation delayed

What Makes It Strategic:

Meta's 3.2+ gigawatt combined Ohio nuclear strategy (1.2GW Pike County new, 2+GW existing plants) represents unprecedented tech company energy infrastructure investment, bypassing renewable intermittency challenges through baseload nuclear capacity matching AI computational 24/7 demands. Oklo 16-reactor campus by 2034 provides modular deployment enabling incremental capacity additions as Prometheus and regional data center cluster expands, contrasting single large-plant construction requiring decade-plus development timelines.

Davis-Besse and Perry existing plant agreements provide immediate power while new Pike County capacity develops, creating bridge strategy preventing Prometheus expansion delays awaiting 2034 Oklo completion.

CAPITAL LINE GAY STREET CONSTRUCTION LAUNCHES WITH UNDERGROUND VAULT WORK TARGETING MID-APRIL COMPLETION BEFORE JUNE STREET-LEVEL BUILD

Downtown Columbus Inc. partnership advances $100M 2-mile urban pathway through Miles-McClellan subcontractor vault filling ensuring structural integrity, with Messer Construction project management overseeing June-to-September 2027 street-level construction Front-to-Fourth Street creating 82-foot-wide pedestrian space versus 16-20 foot typical trail supporting "community gathering and events" as economic development catalyst through foot traffic generation. [Columbus Business First]

Construction Timeline:

• Current: Underground vault filling (nine vaults)

• Mid-April: Vault work completion

• March: Duct bank utility installation (north side street, one-way eastbound traffic restriction)

• June: Street-level construction start (Front-to-Fourth Street)

• Late 2027: Overall project completion target

Street-Level Construction Schedule:

• Front to High: June-October 2026

• High to Pearl: September 2026-January 2027

• Pearl to Third: December 2026-May 2027

• Third to Fourth: April-September 2027

Gay Street Specifications:

• 82 feet width (property line to property line)

• Versus 16-20 feet typical trail width elsewhere

• "Community gathering and events" primary function

• Economic development project beyond public realm characterization

• Block-by-block construction managing vehicular traffic impacts

Partnership Structure:

• Downtown Columbus Inc. (DCI)

• Edwards Cos. (developer)

• City of Columbus

• $100 million total project cost

• Columbus Foundation funding

• State of Ohio contribution

Contractor Roles:

• Miles-McClellan: Underground vault work subcontractor

• Messer Construction: Overall project management

• MKSK: Design services

Commercial Impact Management:

DCI project update indicating commercial activity unaffected during initial vault work, with block-by-block street-level construction approach minimizing simultaneous business disruptions versus corridor-wide closure creating sustained access challenges.

What Makes It Transformational:

Capital Line Gay Street 82-foot width creating public plaza atmosphere contrasts typical 16-20 foot pathway dimensions.

Underground vault filling prerequisite demonstrates Columbus historic basement infrastructure complications typical 19th-century commercial districts, with structural integrity work preventing future pavement settlement-failure requiring expensive remediation. Nine-vault scope through mid-April represents significant subsurface intervention beyond surface-only streetscape projects.

CITY COUNCIL ADVANCES NEW LAND USE PLAN ESTABLISHING MIXED-USE STANDARDS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNATIONS ENABLING ZONE IN PHASE-TWO COVERING 40% LAND AREA

Columbus considers legislation creating unified land use vision replacing scattershot 1994-2018 neighborhood plan recommendations, establishing three mixed-use categories (Mixed Use 3 allowing 8+ story buildings), industrial-warehouse designations, and business-institutional campus standards as Zone In Columbus Project Manager Luis Teba characterizes "first time we've had unified vision of how city can grow" preparing phase-two zoning district assignments targeting summer 2026 implementation across 40% city land area. [Columbus Underground]

Land Use Categories:

• Mixed Use 1: 3-4 story building height (Summit, Fourth Street north from downtown, Whittier Street, Thurman Avenue South Side)

• Mixed Use 2: Mid-rise development (specifications undisclosed)

• Mixed Use 3: 8+ story buildings (highest-density designation)

• Industrial and Warehouse: Manufacturing-logistics district standards

• Business and Institutional Campuses: Corporate-educational facility zoning

Zone In Phasing:

• Phase One (2024): 140 miles high-traffic corridors (4% city land area), taller buildings and barrier removal spurring housing development

• Phase Two (2026): 40%+ city land area coverage, corridor not covered phase-one plus industrial-commercial areas, summer 2026 legislation target

• Phase Three (2027): Residential districts, completion timeline maintained

Historical Context:

Current system relying on 1994-2018 neighborhood plans creating inconsistent land use recommendations, with newest plan 2018 and oldest 1994 generating outdated guidance misaligned with contemporary growth patterns and housing demand.

Public Engagement:

City hosting meetings and open houses gathering feedback on proposed zoning districts before summer 2026 legislation, replicating phase-one community input process preceding 2024 corridor rezoning approvals.

Historic District Review:

Dorans leading parallel effort re-examining development review process for historic districts, issuing RFP for consultant assessing city policies and comparing other cities' approaches as "adjacent discussion" to land use map and zoning updates, addressing conflicts between historic commission guidelines and new zoning rules.

What Makes It Critical:

New land use plan creating "unified vision" replacing 30-year accumulation of neighborhood plans (1994-2018) provides consistency essential for zoning reform implementation, with Zone In phase-two covering 40% city land area representing massive scope beyond phase-one 4% corridor focus. Mixed Use 3 designation allowing 8+ story buildings enables transit-oriented development and downtown-proximate density supporting housing supply goals, while industrial-warehouse standards protect employment land from residential conversion pressures.

Summit and Fourth Street north from downtown Mixed Use 1 designation (3-4 stories) reflects neighborhood context balancing density and character, with Whittier Street and Thurman Avenue South Side similar treatment recognizing incremental intensification versus wholesale transformation. However, 3-4 story limitation may constrain housing production potential on well-served corridors capable supporting greater density.

THIS WEEK'S WRAP-UP

Homeowners: Meta nuclear strategy preventing household electricity cost burden through corporate payment commitment while Capital Line Gay Street construction creates downtown connectivity though 15-month timeline disrupts business access.

Home buyers: New land use plan Mixed Use 3 designation allowing 8+ story buildings creates transit-oriented development opportunities while Capital Line pedestrian infrastructure enhances downtown walkability, plus Meta Prometheus supercluster validates New Albany tech corridor though Oklo 2034 timeline delays full nuclear capacity and Summit-Fourth Street Mixed Use 1 (3-4 story) designation limits corridor density preventing maximum housing production potential.

Investors: Meta 3.2+ gigawatt Ohio nuclear investment demonstrates AI infrastructure commitment while Capital Line $100M DCI-Edwards partnership supports downtown retail-dining tenant viability, plus Zone In phase-two covering 40% land area enables industrial-mixed-use development though historic district review process creates approval uncertainty and consumer advocate warnings about existing power shifts potentially raising electricity prices if new generation delayed affecting operational costs.

Bottom line: This week demonstrates Meta advancing unprecedented tech company nuclear energy strategy addressing AI data center power requirements while Columbus implements coordinated downtown infrastructure and comprehensive zoning reform enabling growth, though Pike County contamination legacy concerns, Capital Line extended construction timeline, and phase-two public engagement creating implementation challenges across energy-infrastructure-planning initiatives.

Ready to evaluate downtown property positioning considering Capital Line connectivity or assess Zone In mixed-use designation implications for development potential? Let's connect you with partners understanding nuclear energy-data center strategies and zoning reform trajectories affecting residential location decisions and commercial property investment timing across metropolitan development spectrum.

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See you next week,

• Gagan Timsina