Mike Wolanin | The Republic Workers remove part of the Fair Oak Mall sign on the building facing 25th Street in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.
The city of Columbus is seeking qualified contractors for the NexusPark indoor sports fieldhouse.
The Columbus Board of Works has approved a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the fieldhouse. Executive Director of Public Works and City Engineer Dave Hayward said submissions would be due by 5 p.m. Feb. 18.
“We’re seeking a design build contractor for the ultimate design and build of the fieldhouse at NexusPark in midtown Columbus, Indiana,” he said.
“The primary elements of the project are a 150,000-square-foot indoor fieldhouse with a connector to the existing mall building. This will be used for year-round athletic and community events. This will also include relocation of the utilities and demolition of the former Goody’s building. … This development is following the MKSK completed master plan from 2020.”
The former mall facility will remain in operation during construction.
The RFQ is expected to produce a shortlist of one to four contractors who will then be asked to participate in an RFP process and submit their actual bids. This is when the city will receive cost estimates, said Hayward.
In addition to the Feb. 18 deadline for RFQ submissions, he added that there will be a “highly recommended” pre-response meeting from 1-3 p.m. on Monday. All questions from contractors are due by 5 p.m. on Feb. 11, and answers will be provided by Feb. 15.
Officials expect the fieldhouse to be completed in late 2023.
According to the NexusPark website, the fieldhouse will be a “sports and events venue that will host a multitude of different types of sporting and non-sporting events.”
“While it will be host to many local, regional, and state sports tournaments, we also hope that it will become known as a venue fit to host trade shows, conferences, graduations, and large-scale community events,” said officials.
NexusPark is the city and Columbus Regional Health’s joint endeavor to transform the former FairOaks Mall into a health, wellness and recreation center. The two entities partnered in 2018 to purchase the mall facility and property at a 25% to 75% split, with the city retaining majority ownership for parks and recreation and sports tourism development. The Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation provided the difference between the selling price and the appraised value.
In addition to the fieldhouse, the campus is expected to include Columbus Parks administrative and recreational spaces, restaurant and retail areas, and CRH facilities. The NexusPark site also states that “outdoor community park and gathering spaces” are planned, and Dunham’s is expected to remain on-site under its current lease.
