Wrecking ball to make way for Gateway

COLUMBUS - Ohio State University President William E. Kirwan and Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman will release a wrecking ball at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday (5/1) to begin demolition along two blocks of North High Street to make way for construction of the University Gateway Center.

The Gateway Center, which will be built on 7.4 acres in the area of 11th Avenue and High Street adjacent to Ohio State's Columbus campus, will be a dynamic blend of entertainment, retail, office space, rental housing and parking to serve one of the nation's largest collegiate markets. The total investment in the project is likely to be more than $100 million.

The demolition is scheduled to be completed in mid-July.

WHO: Ohio State President William E. Kirwan, Mayor Michael Coleman and other student and community leaders

WHAT: Beginning of the demolition of a two-block area of High Street to make way for Gateway
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday (5/1)

WHERE: The east side of High Street between Ninth and 11th avenues.

WHY: To commemorate the first visible phase of Campus Partners’ $100 million project to transform the university and the neighborhoods around it.