THE
ARENA DISTRICT: CONNECTIVITY IS KEY TO
COLUMBUS’ DOWNTOWN
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
City leaders
still hoped to energize Columbus’ downtown with sports and entertainment
offered by an arena, plus spin-off development generated by a such a facility.
Dimon McFerson, then head of Nationwide,
decided his company would lead the way.
A
month after the defeat of the tax issue that would have funded a civic arena,
McFerson and city officials announced Nationwide would build a downtown arena
on land adjacent to its headquarters.
The
announcement was coupled with aggressive plans to develop nearly 100 acres
around the arena – more downtown development than city and county officials
ever dreamed to create with the publicly-financed arena.
Shortly
after Nationwide’s announcement, the NHL awarded a franchise to Columbus.
John
H. McConnell, another longtime Columbus leader and founder of Worthington
Industries, stepped forward to be the principal investor in the team.
The
city held a ticker tape parade in June of 1997 to herald its joining the big
leagues.
Case Study continues tomorrow -- June 16
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