Location Columbus, OH
Client Ohio Facilities Construction Commission & Ohio Expositions Commission
Services Construction Management, Program Management, Project Management
Project Value N/A
As owner’s representative, Hill is providing program management and on-site project management and inspection services for the Ohio Expositions Commission’s (OEC) Expo 2050 – Phase 1 project. This project is the first phase of OEC’s long-term Master Plan to revitalize the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair site in Columbus. In addition to being the site for the Ohio State Fair, the Expo Center hosts a variety of sporting events, consumer shows, banquets, weddings, meetings, and conferences throughout the year. The Expo Center provides more than 1 million SF of roofed event space in 20 unique buildings and pavilions spread over 320 acres. By delivering an even better showcase for everything Ohio has to offer, Phase 1 of the Master Plan will enable the Expo Center to host more and larger events and catalyze continued economic growth in Columbus and the surrounding region.
Planned work encompasses the demolition of five existing buildings, the design and construction of two new buildings, renovations and an addition to an existing building, an iconic entry gate, a navigational pathway, infrastructure and landscaping improvements, a centralized Town Square area to serve as the heart of the entire State Fair campus, and more. The two new buildings include the 160,000 SF Multipurpose Agricultural Education Facility which will feature kitchens, dining space, meeting rooms, and convention space, and the 55,000 SF million Ohio Showcase, a dual-purpose building featuring an exhibit about Ohio’s history and a food hall with dining and event space and incubator kitchens. The Ohio Showcase will anchor the center of the entire campus near the new Town Square gathering space. The project also includes renovations and an addition to the existing Dairy Building. The project team will use building information modeling (BIM) for both vertical construction and coordination of site utilities. The Expo Center will remain in use during construction, and all Phase 1 projects are expected to conclude by 2026.
The Hill team will provide complete life-cycle support for each element of the Master Plan’s first phase. In particular, Hill will help the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission administer the design and construction program to get the maximum value from the selected construction manager at-risk delivery method. This includes driving a value-oriented approach to procurement, negotiating a fair guaranteed maximum price, and working with the construction manager on all pre-construction and design activities. Hill will also provide input during design, making recommendations on constructability, materials, and more. During construction, Hill will maintain a full-time presence on-site to conduct inspections, provide centralized document control, and track and report on all project activities. As construction draws to a close, Hill will lead commissioning efforts on building envelopes and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to help ensure new facilities and features work as planned. Additional services include budgeting and cost tracking, estimate reconciliation, scheduling, logistics planning, and consulting on alternative insurance strategies. These efforts will help the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and the OEC achieve their program goals on time and within budget.
