The Ridges Development Strategy

Ridges Development Strategy

Ohio University has partnered with the Buckeye Hills Regional Council and Community Building Partners to create The Ridges Development Strategy with the goal of continued rehabilitation and preservation of the property, including the incredible historic buildings. The Ridges Development Strategy sets out to move The Ridges Framework Plan, approved in 2015, to implementation and create mixed use space that will benefit the larger community, leveraging an external investment strategy.

The overall vision is for a dynamic campus that compliments the university’s use and has areas for the enjoyment of nature and outdoor education, places to live with a variety of housing types, and a mixed-use center.

With this vision in mind, project partners are pursuing the possible creation of a New Community Authority, which will require continued collaborations and discussion with the Ohio University Board of Trustees and other University Stakeholders, along with the City of Athens, Athens County and the State of Ohio, before moving forward.

 

Goals

  • Putting actionable pieces in place, based off the Ridges Framework Plan
  • Revitalize The Ridges, preserving the buildings and conserving the land
  • Develop parts of the property to:
    • Create new housing opportunities, including affordable and low-income senior housing
    • Create revenue to reinvest in the land and buildings on the ~700 acres
A map of the land at The Ridges shows the overall area that will be conserved as green space - which is a vast majority of the land

Building and Land Preservation

In addition to preserving and repurposing space on the Kirkbride Green, The Ridges Development Plan will preserve approximately 600 acres from development for educational and recreational use, ensuring the continued conservation of land as well as the continued availability of land lab space for educational use.

A map of buildings at The Ridges displays those that are occupied

Currently Occupied Buildings

Ohio University has invested in renovations at multiple buildings in the original Kirkbride facility at The Ridges and will continue to utilize many of those spaces. However, a significant portion of the facility could be made available for community uses such as senior or mixed use housing, recreation and entertainment facilities, business incubation and more with the establishment of the new Community Authority.

Development Strategy Team

The project team consists of planners, designers, engineers, zoning administrators, market analysts and developers. This project is led by Community Building Partners/Buckeye Hills Regional Council with guidance from Ohio University and City of Athens staff.

Buckeye Hills Regional Council
Praxia Partners