The City of Columbus is sending design requests out this week to firms that could potentially redevelop Fair Oaks Mall.
The city partnered with Columbus Regional Health to buy the mall for $5.9 million last year. It hopes to convert the space into a recreational sports facility and parks headquarters, which would replace the 72-year-old Donner Center.
The Columbus Parks Department implemented a five-year master plan in December that outlined building a new sports recreation facility and parks headquarters, or renovating Donner Center.
Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop says redeveloping the mall is the best option for the city.
"The purchase of the mall gets a little cheaper from that perspective because that’s 2 to 3 million bucks we won’t have to spend on Donner Center," he says.
The city hopes to finalize plans for the renovation this spring.
