How the Arena District changed the Columbus cityscape for the better
October 15th, 2021
Originally published by The Columbus Dispatch.
The building of a major league city: All great neighborhoods have a rich history.
What started 50 years ago, has driven $2.2 billion in investment in the heart of downtown Columbus. Today, three world-class stadiums line Nationwide Boulevard, and the Arena District is being touted as one of the best sports and entertainment districts in the country. The vibrant skyline you see today is the result of bold foresight, significant investment, and pioneering decisions starting in the 1970s when Dean Jeffers, then CEO of Nationwide Insurance, bucked the suburban trend and decided to keep the company’s headquarters in downtown Columbus.