You’re ready to step out into this post-pandemic world, to visit restaurants, movie theaters and more.
So what changed in Columbus in the last year and a half?
Soon there will be a new Crew stadium in the Arena District. The first game in the $314 million stadium will be July 3 (Look for a special section in the Dispatch and on Dispatch.com about the stadium on July 2).
Read more: Crew stadium will open July 3 to a full crowd
Trolley Barn
On the Near East Side, the Trolley Barn is expected to open in August. It will feature familiar restaurants and new ones. Committed tenants include Columbus Brewing Co. and Local Cantina.
Read more: Trolley Barn to open on Near East Side.
Budd Dairy Food Hall
If you’re hungry and can’t wait until August for the Trolley Barn to open, there’s Budd Dairy Food Hall. It features a bunch of restaurants, from Comfort Kitchen to Cluck Norris.
Read more:Budd Dairy opens in Italian Village
Restaurant openings
Despite the pandemic, dozens of brave restaurant owners opened new businesses in the last year. There are many new eateries, including Urban Meyer’s new restaurant. And in the works is a Jackie O’s in Downtown Columbus.
Read more: New restaurants that opened during the pandemic
Library plaza gets facelift
The East Plaza of the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library – near Topiary Park – is getting a redesign after library officials said the space isn’t being used.
Read more: Library wants to create outdoor event space
More development
There are plenty of other projects in the works, too.
University City Shopping Center reopened, but without Kroger.
An apartment building is planned to replace the Italian Village hookah lounge.
There’s a big Weinland Park apartment complex in the works.
And a new airline, Breeze Airways, will take passengers to five East and Gulf Coast cities, including New Orleans.