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Top 12 development stories for 2023 in Columbus

Read a quick recap of the top 12 development stories and announcements in Columbus, Ohio during 2023.

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Browse 12 development announcements from 2023 in CBUS. | Photo via Canva

Table of Contents
May

Take a look at Columbus as you know it. After this year of construction news, it’s bound to look different in the very near future. Here are the top projects contributing to that change.

CBUStoday Midwest Connect corridor

This proposed corridor would also connect CBUS to Pittsburgh. | Rendering via State of Ohio Rail Plan

December

Central Ohio + the rest of the state took the first steps in bringing passenger rails to Ohio. Many Amtrak corridors will be study using federal funding, and two of those corridors would connect CBUS to major cities like Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.

November

The Ronald McDonald House of Columbus is now the largest in the world. The nonprofit received extensive renovations and reopened with 220,000 sqft of space to support families of kids at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

October

A linear park that will stretch 58 acres received $5 million in funding from Columbus City Council. It’s now known as the Linden Green Line, connecting Linden and Northland via a defunct train track, and crews will begin clean up and construction next year.

September

Amazon Web Services invested $3.5 billion in New Albany to create five new data centers that will assist in online shopping, streaming, video games, and music. New Albany is the first community confirmed as part of AWS’s planned investment of $7.8 billion to expand data center operations.

John Glenn International Airport | Photo via Brand Columbus

What changes would you like to see at the airport?| Photo via Brand Columbus

August

John Glenn International Airport announced it will build a new $2 billion, state-of-the-art terminal to create a more passenger-friendly experience. It’s currently projected to be finished in 2029.

July

Hollywood Casino announced it would break ground on a 200-room hotel in the fall. Most recently, the casino celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony at the end of November, and it will be built over the next year.

June

Amazon Web Services plans to invest $7.8 billion into Ohio to expand data center operations and create 100+ new jobs. This is the second-largest single private sector company investment in Ohio’s history.

May

Construction crews began work on the Galaxy at Polaris, a 30+ acre multi-use development and entertainment center. Once finished, it will feature pickleball courts, apartment units, a parking garage, and retail space.

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Developers are aiming to compete the project in 2025. | Rendering via Galaxy at Polaris

April

Former office space could become residential living if this project in Dublin receives full approval. Developers met last April to discuss adding seven new family living apartments to the area, but it has remained quiet since.

March

Middle West Spirits will undergo a multi-year expansion project, creating a new production plant on 14 acres of land at 1165 Alum Creek Dr. This will make Middle West the largest distillery in Ohio and a top 10 producer of grain-to-glass whiskey + spirits in the nation.

February

Nocterra Brewing Co. shared plans to build a new location with a large outdoor patio near Scioto Audubon Metro Park. If fully approved, it would be near popular park attractions, like walking trails and climbing walls.

January

Zora’s House, a nonprofit for women of color, broke ground on an 10,000-sqft facility. This new location is known as Zora House 2.0, offering a café, coworking spaces, and dedicated event space.

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