Adam RollinsThe Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority in Ohio is moving forward with an ambitious $400 million renovation plan to renovate and modernize its multi-use sports arena.
Development for the Nationwide Arena will likely be implemented over a four-to-five-year span through a proposed public-private partnership with a qualified firm. While a firm timeline has not been released, project officials anticipate a schedule for construction by year’s end.
Notable upgrades slated for the arena will prioritize repairing and renovating the roof and heating, ventilation and air system. A new entrance will expand out to 30 feet into the neighboring office building. In addition, the building will feature an outdoor rooftop terrace that will connect to an upper concourse food hall on the fourth floor.
The project vision calls for integrating a new team store, concessions and bars as part of the building’s renovations. A planned food hall and long bar on the concourse level will overlook the arena floor. Concessions will be revamped with new technologies and improved functionality to ensure visitors can enjoy games or shows while away from the arena.
Accessibility will be an essential part of the project’s design, emphasizing more accommodations to meet arena visitors’ needs. These improvements will include better ADA access, additional escalators and elevators and new LED screens throughout the venue.
The authority is looking into buying an adjacent four-story building to house a significant amount of the planned upgrades in addition to providing new offices to the city’s hockey team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Once completed, the 25-year-old arena will be modernized, positioning the facilities to provide quality entertainment and services for another 25 years.
Photo by valorfaerie, CC BY 2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
