The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the City of Hilliard’s collaboration on a medical, health and wellness center at the City’s future recreation and wellness center is closer to reality after City Council agreed to authorize a lease Monday night.
“While Ohio State will have dedicated space for its own health and wellness services, what makes this partnership unique and exciting is how their services and programming will integrate with the amenities, services and programming the City will include in the new recreation and wellness center,” said City Manager Michelle Crandall. “Our staff will work hand-in-hand with the Ohio State staff to develop programs and education that respond to the needs of our community.”
The city has been interested in integrating the health and medical center into the community center development ever since the concept was first presented in 2021, Crandall said.
“Becoming a health and wellness partner with the City of Hilliard will give the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center the opportunity to provide residents greater access to high-quality care while expanding and strengthening our existing connections,” said Dan Like, Chief Administrative Officer of Ambulatory Services for the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. “We are excited by the prospect of becoming an even greater part of the fabric of the Hilliard community.”
The proposed 15-year lease is for 25,000 square feet and includes options for two 5-year renewals. The base rent will start at $14 per square foot with an annual 2% escalation, plus an estimated amount to cover common area maintenance expenses.
This project will bring together a wide range of wellness, education and complementary clinical services, along with other community programming and classes. Medical, health and wellness services and programing planned for this portion of the building include same-day immediate care, orthopedic immediate care, orthopedic and sports medicine providers, arthritis care, and behavioral health.
Other services include integrative health including acupuncture, chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, nutrition counseling, osteopathic manipulative therapy, and lifestyle medicine. The center also will offer outpatient rehabilitation, such as physical therapy for geriatric rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, pelvic health, aquatic rehabilitation, and orthopedic wellness screening.
It also includes plans for education, health, and wellness learning, including family care provider training, community health profiling and training, and Hilliard School District student shadowing for health professional career exposure.
The recreation and wellness center will be built on the City-owned property west of Municipal Park, near the intersection of Scioto Darby and Alton Darby roads. Current plans call for Hilliard’s Community Center to open in early 2025.
The project also will create a significant economic boon to the community.
“In addition, this development would mean the creation of significant high-paying jobs in the community,” said David Meadows, City of Hilliard director of economic development. “Ohio State estimates an annual payroll up to $4.5 million, which would result in significant income tax revenues for the City.”
