The first bids are in for the University Gateway Center near south campus.
A series of construction service contracts were awarded last Thursday for the south campus Gateway development. Just over $16.5 million in contracts were awarded to eight construction, steel, electrical and plumbing firms for the beginning phase of the project. The estimate for the total cost of the entire project is about $65 million.
“We should have the basic shell of the buildings done around spring of 2005,” said Steve Sterrett, spokesman for Campus Partners. Commercial tenants will “fit out” their individual spaces after this is done.
“We expect the entire center to be open to the public in fall 2005,” Sterrett said.
Workers have begun testing the foundation for the 1,200-space parking garage. Sterrett said there will be about 500 people working on the project during the most intensive parts of the construction.
“When all the construction teams get working, the buildings should go up relatively quickly,” he said.
A large reason for the fall 2005 deadline is the need to fill the apartments in the development by the time school is in session for fall quarter. The Gateway center will include about 190 apartments to serve as off-campus housing for students. The development will also include a mix of entertainment, restaurants, retail and office space, according to a statement from Campus Partners.
Turner Construction’s Columbus office has been serving as the construction management adviser for the project. The company began the process last November, issuing nearly 60 bid packages for the Gateway project. Last week, another 12 bids were opened for additional concrete work.
“More electrical work, masonry, roofing and siding still has to be contracted, so there is more work yet to come,” said Sterrett.
The Gateway center’s mixed-use commercial developments will total 250,000 square feet, with 90,000 more for office space.
“The total private and public investments in the Gateway project will be well in excess of $100 million,” according to a statement from Campus Partners.
Some Ohio State students are still divided over the development.
“That area, the bars and everything that were there, gave Ohio State a lot of its character,” said Jon Knapp, a senior in communications. “Alumni have told me they feel sorry for us now because there are a lot fewer bars and places to socialize.”
Others feel the center will be a much-needed boost to the campus area.
“OSU needs something classy like this,” said Brad Rowen, a senior in accounting. “The campus area has never looked very appealing. This will be a step in the right direction.”
