Huntington Invests $18M in Columbus Gateway Center

by Laura Calugar

Columbus, Ohio—Huntington Bank recently announced its intention to invest $18.3 million in a new 210,000-square-foot Huntington Gateway Center and also bring 1,000 new jobs to the city of Columbus by 2024. The bank also plans to lend $300 million to Columbus low-to-moderate income neighborhoods over the next five years. Huntington Gateway project partners include Integrated Design Group, Gilbane Building Co. and AVI Foodsystems.

The former Meijer store in Columbus, Ohio

Located at 5555 Cleveland Ave., on a former Meijer store location, the Huntington Gateway Center will initially host approximately 1,400 employees, with space for another 200. Building designs aim to maximize natural light exposure, with an open floor plan featuring flexible seating, onsite dining and fitness amenities. The campus will also be home to a Central Ohio Transit Authority CMAX Bus Rapid Transit hub. Additionally, Huntington will partner with the city’s Smart Columbus green transportation initiative, and install an electric vehicle charging station.

“As we continue to grow, Huntington will continue to invest in Columbus by bringing 1,000 new jobs to the city and investing in neighborhoods where our colleagues and customers live and work. Columbus is our home for the past 150 years and we’re stepping up to help transform an important area because we believe in helping small businesses grow and families prosper,” said Stephen Steinour, Huntington Bank’s CEO, in prepared remarks.

Huntington plans to complete the project by the middle of next year and is seeking a city tax incentive. With the 2017 opening of the complex, the company will abandon the Morse Road Northland Operations Center it redeveloped in 2004 with an $8 million investment. Moreover, the bank intends to move out of its Columbus offices at 7575 Huntington Park Drive upon the project’s completion.

Image via Google Street View