DEMO DAYS: Interior demolition underway at former Carson’s

Interior demolition continues at the former FairOaks Mall, with most of the more intense work occurring in the former Carson’s location.

The store is the majority of Columbus Regional Health’s portion of NexusPark, said spokeswoman Kelsey DeClue. She noted that the space is “massive, once you start taking the walls and partitions down.”

“This’ll keep going until late spring, early summer,” she said, in regards to the store’s interior demolition. “Obviously, you can see it’s extensive dismantling work.”

CRH facility engineer Casey Gibson said the work underway includes removal of interior walls, ceiling track and grid, and lights, with other components being removed later on.

The former Carson’s closed in 2018. It was one of the mall’s original anchor tenants in 1990 and initially operated as an Elder-Beerman. The space saw some use in the fall of 2020, operating as a voting location during the election.

Katy Waddell, project manager with Turner Construction, said interior demolition of the store began in late January. As of late February, it was the only area where major demolition was underway.

“We’ve gotten started on make safe in some of the other areas, because with it being an active mall, we’re doing our due diligence,” she added.

Interior demolition of all spaces is expected to be complete in late spring or early summer, though some exterior demolition may continue past that point, said Waddell. Following construction at the site, the goal is for CRH to achieve overall occupancy at NexusPark in the third quarter of 2023. However, an estimate for the hospital’s first occupancy — which CRH officials have previously said will take place in the former Carson’s — is not available at this time.

“We’re still working towards what our goals are, so we’re not ready to throw out any dates yet,” said David Lenart, director of facilities and materials for the hospital.

According to the NexusPark website, CRH plans to provide “a wide offering of primary care and specialty care offerings along with lab, therapy and personalized navigation and wellness services” at the campus.

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.

The campus is expected to include an indoor fieldhouse, 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.