Campus: OSU Wexner Outpatient Care Powell project advances
The Ohio State University Board of Trustees May 19 unanimously approved the awarding of a contract for design and pre-construction services for the Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Powell.
The action advances the project, approved by Powell City Council in 2019 and renewed last year. It's part of the university medical center’s community-based health services initiative that includes the Outpatient Care New Albany facility, which opened in the summer of 2021, and the Outpatient Care Dublin slated to open this summer.
Outpatient Care Powell is to be built on almost 30 acres at the northeast corner of Home Road and Sawmill Parkway, across from Olentangy Liberty High School. Ohio State purchased the property in 2019.
“This is all part of our ambulatory expansion strategy to provide convenient access to comprehensive health care services – including primary and specialty care, along with diagnostic and treatment services – where people work and live,” Dan Like, chief administrative officer of ambulatory services at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, said in a statement.
“Working together with the city of Powell, Olentangy (Local) Schools and residents, we will tailor our health care services to meet the unique needs of the community,” he said.
University trustees approved $7.4 million in design and pre-construction services. While a firm has been identified, no contract has yet been signed, according to university spokesperson Eileen Scahill. Council’s original approval was granted Feb. 5, 2019, and was in effect for two years. The 2021 renewal is for two years. Most design details are to still require review and approval by the city’s planning and zoning commission.
"The effort started a process that would allow for a groundbreaking sometime in the spring of 2023, with tentative opening in summer 2025," City Manager Andrew White said. "I know this project has been in the works for a while, but this was very exciting news."
Attorney Aaron Underhill, representing OSU, told council the delays were primarily related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. “The university has had to reprioritize,” Underhill told council at the time of the 2021 extension.
“The result is a delay in designing and ultimately getting started on construction of this project. The medical center does own the property, so they are invested in your community. There is still intent to build and it will move forward eventually.”
University spokesman Dan Hedman echoed that commitment.
“The Ohio State University remains committed to developing a Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Powell facility,” Hedman told ThisWeek.
At the time of original approval, the facility was expected to employ up to 500 people with a payroll of up to $50 million in its first phase, followed by another 125 to 500 employees during its second phase.
“The Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Powell will be the largest economic development project in Powell’s history,” White said.
“Upon completion, it will serve the community’s health and wellness needs now and in the future as the region continues to grow. The facility’s economic impact will help perpetuate access to superior public service and quality of life today, and attract future investments in the city. This is a great win for Powell.”
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Campus: OSU Wexner Outpatient Care Powell project advances
