Empty land awaits development next to the South Campus Gateway — Photo by Walker Evans.

Campus Partners, developer of the South Campus Gateway at the Ohio State University, announced today a new partnership with locally-based private firm Edwards Communities. The collaboration will expand the Gateway further south in a continued effort to revitalize the area and further connect OSU and Weinland Park with The Short North.

The seven-acre expansion site is located east of High Street mostly between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, which includes the Wendy’s fast food restaurant. The redevelopment of this largely vacant area has been in the works for years as the nonprofit Campus Partners has slowly acquired land and re-zoned property. Campus Partners is also working with the Community Housing Network to relocate existing apartments at 1494 North High Street.

“We are very pleased to be moving forward with this phase of the effort to enhance the neighborhood and return productive space to the community,” said Campus Partners President Amanda Hoffsis. “Gaining community input is the next step in developing this proposal.”

As Brent Warren reported in our most recent Development Roundup article, Columbus City Council has already approved re-zoning this development area to allow for mixed-use buildings on High Street at a height of 72 feet, and residential buildings on Eighth and Ninth Avenues ranging from 45 to 60 feet tall. Nothing official is being proposed for the area yet, as representatives from Campus Partners and Edwards Communities will be meeting with neighborhood leaders and stakeholders to determine the best plan to submit to the University Area Review Board.

Edwards Communities recently completed a 56-unit student housing development just north of Lane Avenue called Norwich Flats. The company is also working new housing developments in Downtown Columbus at Gay Street and in Dublin near the AMC Theater.

The news follows last month’s announcement that Buckeye Real Estate will be redeveloping a long-vacant building located directly across High Street from the Gateway expansion area.

For ongoing discussion on the South Campus Gateway, CLICK HERE to visit our Messageboard.

For more information, visit www.southcampusgateway.com and www.edwardscommunities.com.