The Columbus Report
Posts
Things to do in Columbus June 13-15

Things to do in Columbus June 13-15

Village Vibes, Data Center Power, and 614's Big Birthday in Cbus...

Gagan Timsina
June 12, 2025

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

And here are the BIGGEST REASONS WHY People Are STILL MOVING TO Columbus in 2025

In today's newsletter:

Woods Companies Eyes Dublin Village District: Short North developer proposes 93,000 sq ft walkable retail around town square
Gahanna's Crescent Adds Commercial Trio: Three new buildings bring 28,500 sq ft of restaurant, retail, and medical space
Meta Powers Up: $1.6B natural gas plant approved to serve New Albany data center expansion
614 Day Celebrates Decade Milestone: 10-year anniversary festival expects 10,000+ attendees in Franklinton

SPONSORED BY: GT REAL ESTATE GROUP

WOODS COMPANIES BRINGS SHORT NORTH SUCCESS MODEL TO DUBLIN

The Columbus-based developer behind multiple Short North buildings has unveiled plans for a pedestrian-friendly retail village at West Bridge Street and Monterey Drive. [WCMH]

Key Highlights:

93,000 square feet of commercial space arranged around central "town square" park
Located across from John Sells Middle School, adjacent to Dublin Cemetery
60% dedicated to non-food and beverage retail, emphasizing walkable village concept
Woods Companies operates Short North buildings housing Northstar Café, Brassica, Jeni's Ice Cream

What Makes It Special: Woods Companies President Tyler Puhl emphasized this won't be "a strip mall in disguise" but rather a true village center with 20-30 foot storefronts and lasting architectural materials. The developer's proven track record with independent retailers in the Short North provides credible foundation for attracting quality tenants.

Local residents strongly favor the proposal over previous mixed-use concepts, with multiple neighbors calling it "the most appealing" option presented for the site. Dublin Planning and Zoning commissioners generally supported the concept but encouraged adding mixed-use elements like residential or office space to ensure long-term viability.

For Dublin property owners, Woods Companies' entry signals confidence in the area's retail potential and could elevate surrounding property values through quality development standards.

GAHANNA'S CRESCENT ADDS MEDICAL-RETAIL EXPANSION

Canini & Associates will construct three new commercial buildings totaling 28,500 square feet at the 112-acre Crescent at Central Park development. [Columbus Business First]

Key Highlights:

10,500 sq ft restaurant space, 6,000 sq ft retail, and 12,000 sq ft medical office
All buildings single-story with outdoor patios on combined 4.4 acres
85% of medical building pre-leased to concierge doctor, plastic surgeon, wellness group
Construction expected within two months pending city approval

Community Impact: The expansion continues Crescent's transformation into a comprehensive medical and lifestyle destination. Recent additions include Orthopedic One's 60,000-square-foot clinic, nearly 300 residential units from Casto, and additional medical office buildings totaling 73,000 square feet.

Developer Larry Canini has secured committed tenants for both retail and medical components, indicating strong market demand. The medical focus aligns with broader healthcare real estate trends, while retail components provide neighborhood amenities.

For Gahanna investors, Crescent's continued buildout demonstrates sustained development momentum in the I-270 corridor, with multiple medical anchors creating stable long-term value.

META'S $1.6B POWER PLANT GETS REGULATORY APPROVAL

Ohio Power Siting Board approved construction of a 200MW natural gas plant to serve Meta's expanding New Albany data center campus. [DCD]

Key Highlights:

$1.6 billion investment by Williams & Co. subsidiary Will-Power
Located on Morse Road in Licking County portion of New Albany
Construction begins Q3 2025, completion targeted Q3 2026
Will serve 740-acre data center campus with behind-the-meter power

Strategic Significance: The dedicated power plant represents unprecedented infrastructure investment supporting central Ohio's data center expansion. Meta has operated in New Albany since 2017, with major campus expansion announced in 2022 adding 1 million square feet.

New Albany International Business Park hosts data centers from Microsoft, AWS, and Google, establishing the region as a critical digital infrastructure hub. The behind-the-meter power approach provides Meta operational control while supporting grid stability.

For New Albany area property owners, Meta's continued billion-dollar investments signal long-term commitment and job creation. The expanding tech infrastructure enhances the area's profile for corporate relocations and supporting service businesses.

614 DAY MARKS DECADE MILESTONE WITH FRANKLINTON FESTIVAL

Columbus's signature community celebration turns 10 with expanded programming expecting over 10,000 attendees on June 14. [614 Day Organizers]

Key Highlights:

Saturday, June 14, 12 PM - 9 PM in Franklinton downtown district
10-year anniversary featuring live music, local vendors, food trucks, art installations
Community partnerships with Experience Columbus, The Crew, COSI, iHeart, Land-Grant
Celebrates local entrepreneurs, creatives, and neighborhood culture

Cultural Impact: 614 Day has evolved from grassroots gathering to major cultural calendar staple, showcasing Columbus's entrepreneurial spirit and creative community. The Franklinton location demonstrates continued investment in the emerging arts district.

The festival's growth mirrors Columbus's broader cultural maturation, providing platform for local businesses and artists while attracting visitors citywide. Corporate partnerships indicate mainstream recognition of the event's economic impact.

For Franklinton property owners, 614 Day's presence reinforces the area's transformation from industrial past to cultural destination. The annual influx of 10,000+ visitors supports local businesses and validates ongoing residential and commercial development investments.

THIS WEEKEND IN COLUMBUS: JUNE 13-15

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

SATURDAY, JUNE 14

SUNDAY, JUNE 15

From [Experience Columbus]

THIS WEEK'S WRAP-UP

Home owners: Woods Companies' Dublin proposal and Meta's billion-dollar power plant investment demonstrate strong development confidence across different submarkets, while 614 Day's growth validates cultural district investments like Franklinton.

Home buyers: Consider Dublin's emerging walkable retail district and New Albany's tech infrastructure expansion as long-term value drivers, while Gahanna's medical corridor buildout provides stable employment anchors.

Bottom line: This week's developments showcase Columbus's maturation across multiple sectors - from proven developers expanding successful models to Fortune 500 companies making unprecedented infrastructure investments. The combination of community-driven cultural events and major corporate commitments reflects a balanced growth trajectory supporting both local character and economic scale.

Thinking about making a move? Let's chat and connect you with our partners!

[Schedule a call]

See you next week,

— Gagan Timsina