Building a Legacy: Barton Malow’s Impact at Ohio State University

Projects

Barton Malow has played a vital role in shaping The Ohio State University’s campus for almost two decades, making significant contributions across multiple sectors, including healthcare facilities, learning environments, and athletics. Our journey began with the inaugural project, the Ross Heart – Vertical Two-Story Expansion, which set the stage for over 50 successful projects that followed. Today, we continue to be actively engaged on campus, steadfast in our commitment to the university’s ongoing growth and development.

“Our partnership with The Ohio State University has been incredibly rewarding. Over the past two decades, Barton Malow has had the privilege of contributing to the growth of the campus,” says Barton Malow Director of Ohio Operations Jerry Mullins. “Our commitment to excellence and innovation is reflected in each project, and we take great pride in the lasting impact our work has on the university community and beyond.”

A Closer Look at Ross Heart

The Ross Heart – Vertical Two-Story Expansion project was a chance to establish an enduring partnership with The Ohio State University, and Barton Malow made certain that this endeavor reflected our dedication to OSU and its expanding campus. This $23 million project encompassed the renovation and 2-story vertical expansion of the facility, including adding 60 CCU beds, support areas, labs, a pharmacy, and medical offices to allow for the hospital to accommodate growing patient needs. Barton Malow meticulously managed the budget, implementing changes that resulted in a substantial return of one million dollars upon project completion. Today, this facility continues to serve the community and provide exceptional care to all who enter its doors.

The Infamous Ohio Stadium

In 2013, Barton Malow took to the stadium, completing several critical projects, starting with the Football Stadium Concrete Repairs project, followed by the Ohio Stadium South Stands Addition and the South Stands + Lighting Addition project. In 2016, Barton Malow undertook the Ohio Stadium Upgrades project, showcasing our commitment to OSU athletics, fans, and student-athletes. This $31 million renovation included renovating university suites and kitchen space, the repair and waterproofing of C-Deck and the interior concourse of B-Deck, as well as premium seating upgrades, structural renovations, and fan experience enhancements. Despite being one of the largest collegiate football stadiums in the US, Barton Malow successfully modernized the stadium while preserving its iconic structural integrity, implementing preventive measures to maintain existing structures.

Finished premium seating in suite area completed by Barton Malow

As part of this modernization initiative, new premium loge seating and suite spaces were introduced. These sought-after seats not only provided access to the stadium, but also included amenities such as iPads for watching replays and other games, as well as exclusive interior lounges. Responding to OSU’s desire to expand premium seating options, a plan was devised to incorporate 44 loge boxes with advanced technological features, alongside the installation of 17 new suites.

The project faced various challenges, including the need for demolition work and the integration of new technology features and modern seat designs. Multiple rows of seats, as well as concrete and steel structures, had to be demolished and rebuilt to accommodate these luxurious additions. This project serves as just one example of a successful endeavor, achieved through meticulous planning and commitment to the Owner’s vision.

Game, Set, Match: Barton Malow’s Success at the Ty Tucker Tennis Facility

Barton Malow kicked off the Ty Tucker Tennis Facility in September of 2019. Named after current Ohio State men’s tennis coach Ty Tucker, who turned Ohio State tennis into a national powerhouse after being named coach in 1999, the Ty Tucker Tennis Center is as much of a recruiting tool as it is a place for current tennis players and tennis fans.

The project was a testament to the strong relationship Barton Malow and OSU had begun establishing and served as a affirmation of Barton Malow’s commitment to OSU and their ever evolving dynamic athletics environment. The Ty Tucker Tennis Center completed construction in November of 2020, opening its doors to OSU athletes granting 69,000 SF in space, six indoor tennis courts, premium locker rooms, and training facilities for both the men’s and women’s Buckeye tennis teams. The facility features premiere theater-style courtside seating, loge areas overlooking the courts, one of the largest video boards at an indoor tennis facility in the country, and a state-of-the-art sound system to create a unique matchday experience.

Project Executive Adrienne Sraver takes her class of OSU students to the Library Book Depository Phase III site, a now completed project on campus

Committed Beyond the Build

Beyond Barton Malow’s extensive project involvement at The Ohio State University, we are committed to creating spaces where academia and industry experience can collide by providing students with real-life connections and insights into impactful local projects. Many members of Barton Malow’s Columbus office are alumni of The Ohio State University, with some even returning as professors while maintaining their roles at Barton Malow. Project Executive Adrienne Sraver and Senior Project Manager Andrea Pruneau have been instrumental in offering hands-on learning experiences for students as professors at The Ohio State University.

Adrienne frequently invites industry Subject Matter Experts into her classes to present to students on their day-to-day functions within their roles, providing tangible examples of how their degrees can be applied post-graduation.

“As a graduate of OSU’s Construction Systems Management program, I am proud to be a facilitator of student success, bridging the gap between education and experience,” says Adrienne. 

Adrienne also organizes student project site walks, where students tour active construction sites on OSU’s campus to learn about safety protocols, project planning, and the daily operations involved in completing projects from start to finish. Recently, Adrienne led her students on a tour of the newly completed OSU Library Book Depository Phase 3 project, which now serves as a centralized fulfillment center housing last copies of print materials from Ohio research libraries, serving the entire state.

Similarly, Andrea is a significant advocate for blending academic and industry experience through deliberate learning and networking opportunities, facilitating mock interviews for students with Barton Malow team members and other local industry professionals. These mock interviews provide students with firsthand insights into what to expect during job interviews in the construction industry.

If a student asks me a question that falls outside of the scope of my industry and academic experience, it feels good being able to tell them that I work alongside a team full of experts at Barton Malow who will be able to get them the answers they need,” Andrea says.

Through these practices and opportunities provided by Barton Malow team members in collaboration with The Ohio State University, students can graduate from OSU fully prepared to kickstart their careers, equipped with the necessary knowledge, experience, and network to thrive in the construction industry.

Andrea (center left) and Adrienne (center right) at Builders Exchange of Central Ohio's awards ceremony in November 2024. Andrea was honored with the BX Cornerstone Award.

Forging Forward: Barton Malow’s Enduring Impact at Ohio State University

The completion of numerous successful projects over the past two decades symbolizes a continuous cycle of growth and teamwork. From our inaugural initiative, The Ross Heart – Vertical Two-Story Expansion, to ongoing endeavors such as the Martha Morehouse Tower Renovations, Barton Malow’s commitment to excellence remains unwavering. As we persist in our campus endeavors and embrace future opportunities with a shared commitment to innovation and achievement, the partnership between The Ohio State University and Barton Malow continues to flourish. This enduring collaboration leaves a profound imprint on students, the campus community, the local area, and the construction industry as a whole.

Related Stories