NexusPark in Columbus is taking shape at the former Fair Oaks Mall. Several million dollars’ worth of steel that frames the fieldhouse is up – complete with a topper.
Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop says the Christmas Tree at the frame apex marks the next step of construction.
“I'm told that's a habit that you do when you do what's called topping out. And so a week or two ago, we went up to NexusPark and signed a beam. So my signature is up there somewhere,” Lienhoop said.
It’ll be called Circle K Fieldhouse once complete – big enough for a soccer field. Lienhoop says city council is allocating funding as the construction process moves forward.
“We would like to have put all this in one funding request right at the beginning. But given the pandemic and given some of the uncertainties with respect to cost, it just really didn't make sense,” he said.
Listen to more: Ask The Mayor - Lienhoop on NexusPark, conference center halt
Construction is to be completed by April next year. Lienhoop says the sports and health complex could see up to 10,000 visitors over a typical weekend.
NexusPark also will feature retail shopping, restaurants, Columbus Regional Health offices, and city parks department offices.
Lienhoop says revenues from rental space and user fees should pay for the project in the long term.
