Renaissance Pointe development in Middletown progresses, awaits green light for $110M event center.
A high-impact, mixed-use development project in Middletown is more than a year underway. The first set of openings are closing in but prime space is still being set aside as development teams wait with bated breath for the green light on the development’s centerpiece.
The $200 million project, Renaissance Pointe, broke ground in summer 2024 and is slowly inching toward completion. With one year under its belt, the massive project – located at the southeast corner of State Route 122 and Union Road – is still on track to be completed in the next six to nine years.
The development is expected to bring over 200 new jobs, paying more than $1.5 million in taxes each year.
“This development is a game-changer for Middletown,” said Middletown City Manager Ashley Combs. “The project will create new jobs, increase tourism and tax revenue, and transform the city into a regional destination. It also improves the quality of life of residents by providing more housing, entertainment options, and business opportunities—all within one vibrant, mixed-use development.”
A $110 million centerpiece at a halt but, hopefully, not for long
The centerpiece of the 50-acre development is the $110 million multi-purpose event center. The 165,000-square-foot event center would take up 15 acres of the development site.
Matt Schnipke, Warren County Port Authority director of development, said the project is currently undergoing a secondary validation of revenues.
The event center would be backed by the revenues of the facility and charges from the new community authority to be placed on site. While Schnipke said some performances have been put together, the event center has to be pressure tested to make sure it can perform according to projections.
If “all signs come back positive”, Schnipke said funding could be secured in the fall with construction to follow.
“If the numbers come back and they say we’re short in certain areas, we’d have to kind of go back to the drawing board from a revenue standpoint,” Schnipke said. “At least, for right now, we’re hopeful.”
Once construction begins, Schnipke said construction would take 15-18 months. With hopes to break ground later this year, he estimated a spring 2027 opening.
Upon completion, the event center is estimated to draw about 400,000 visitors each year.
The destination would play well with other assets in the county from a sports tourism lens, especially in youth sports tourism – which Schnipke said is a great way to draw people that might not otherwise come and stay.
“The intent is to bring them here for events,” Schnipke said. “People would be coming, staying in hotels, purchasing stuff at our stores and eating at a restaurant. It kind of drives that sales tax revenue, which obviously is important for the county at large. For the city’s perspective, it’s a great development right off their opening corridor.”
Contracts secured and land unspoken for
The remaining 35 acres of Renaissance Pointe is under the control of Woodard Development. Todd Duplain, partner at Woodard Development, said 16 acres are already spoken for an under contract:
- A Sheetz convenience store
- Gateway Lofts – a 288-unit apartment complex, to be constructed by Columbus-based Hallmark Communities
- An unnamed fast-casual restaurant
Another four acres are being considered by hotel operators, bringing the total to about 20 acres. The remaining 15 acres, Duplain said, are still up for grabs.
A vibrant collection of restaurants and potential for a medical office building and/or retail may be on the horizon for available spaces. One goal for Woodard is to bring in an “eater-tainment” space – one that combines food, beverage and entertainment.
However, Duplain said they are “hitting pause” on the remaining acreage as interest is expected to increase once the arena’s financing is secure and construction begins. For example, two high-profile sites at Promenade Boulevard sit at the front entrance of the development and are being held off on for contracts until the arena has the green light.
“I think we can be a little more discerning in who goes there,” Duplain said.