Photo provided
An artist’s rendition of the field house component of the Nexus Park project at the former FairOaks Mall.
Columbus has received two applications for design/build construction of the NexusPark fieldhouse.
The Columbus Technical Review Committee opened submissions to the city’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and voted to take them under advisement. City Engineer and Executive Director of Public Works Dave Hayward said the two applicants are Force Construction Co. of Columbus and Runnebohm Construction of Shelbyville.
NexusPark is a joint venture between the city of Columbus and Columbus Regional Health to transform the former FairOaks Mall into a health, wellness and recreation center.
The 150,000 square-foot fieldhouse will be a “sports and events venue that will host a multitude of different types of sporting and non-sporting events.” Officials have said in the past that the former Goody’s building area will be demolished to make way for the structure.
According to City Director of Finance, Operations and Risk Jamie Brinegar, the committee expects to present a recommendation regarding the project to the Board of Works on March 8.
Hayward previously told the board that the RFQ was expected to produce a shortlist of one to four contractors who would then be asked to participate in an RFP process and submit their actual bids. This is when the city will receive cost estimates.
City Director of Administration and Community Development Mary Ferdon said at a recent city meeting that officials hope to have a construction company under contract by late spring and begin construction in the final quarter of 2022.
She said that while the end of 2023 is the city’s “aggressive” estimate for completion, it is likely to take longer because of supply chain issues.
Columbus City Council recently passed the first reading of an ordinance creating a lease agreement with the Columbus Municipal Facilities Building Corp. to finance the fieldhouse’s construction, with the project cost including up to $29 million in bonds. Ordinances must be passed on two readings to be fully approved. The initial vote was 6-1, with City Councilwoman Elaine Hilber voting against the measure.
The city is expected to have a public hearing and take final action on the lease ordinance at its March 1 meeting. However, the lease details may be revised later to match the debt service on the bonds, city officials said.
