A transformative mixed-use development is taking shape along I-270 in Hilliard, promising to bring much-needed amenities to an area that has historically been underserved. The 27-acre TruePointe project, developed by Equity and built by ECS, Equity’s commercial construction arm, is one of the largest single developments in Hilliard’s history, second only to the Amazon Web Services campuses in the area. The Finance Authority’s involvement includes leases as well as garage ownership.
TruePointe’s first phase, currently under construction, is anchored by Advanced Drainage Systems’ (ADS) new headquarters. The development will also feature 360 apartments, multiple restaurants, retail spaces, a hotel, and various amenities designed to create a walkable urban environment. The apartments are expected to be completed as soon as Q3 of this year.
“TruePointe is filling a lot of gaps in the marketplace,” says Steve Wathen, CEO of Equity/ECS, which has been based in Hilliard since 1987. The development has already secured several notable tenants, including Kenneth’s Hair Salons, central Ohio’s largest salon operator, which will move from its current Fishinger Blvd. location to establish a new high-end spa concept at the site. The fast-growing, family-owned Qahwah House coffee shop has committed to the project, as has Drunch, a popular breakfast and lunch establishment. And Home2 by Hilton was recently named as TruePointe’s hotel. Other tenants are in the process of signing leases, and Equity is in talks with an entertainment venue, sushi restaurant, and wellness center.
“If you look at the strength of our demographic and average household income, it’s remarkable that there’s a three-mile radius here with virtually no restaurants, very few options,” adds Wathen. “Additional unique dining concepts that aren’t currently present in Columbus are in final negotiations.”
David Meadows, Economic Development Director for the City of Hilliard, emphasizes the project’s strategic and economic importance. “TruePointe really is a transformational project for the city,” says Meadows. “To attract workforce talent, you need to have work-life amenities onsite, and this is something we lacked in our community.”
“We’re thrilled to support this impressive project,” says Finance Authority President Patty Huddle. “I’ve known and worked with Steve Wathen for more than 20 years. Equity had a specific vision for this area and it’s great to see this project become real.”
The development’s timing coincides with meaningful changes in Hilliard’s governance structure. “The change to a city manager form of government has been crucial,” Wathen notes. “We have a great city council in Hilliard, with people who want to see the community advance, and they’re all in lockstep. These are very forward-thinking people who want to do great things for the community.”
Support from the Finance Authority
The Finance Authority issued $26.8 million in special obligation revenue bonds for related public infrastructure improvements, including construction of two large public parking structures. This type of support has become increasingly important for mixed-use developments in the region.
“The Finance Authority has earned their reputation in central Ohio as a critical player in getting mixed-use projects off the ground,” says Meadows. “Parking structures are incredibly expensive, and engaging port authorities to finance and own a public parking garage is a way to take the debt off the books of the developer and local government.”
The project uses three Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts to support the public infrastructure: the SOMA TIF, the TruePointe TIF, and an additional TIF from a nearby development on Edwards Farm Drive. This complex financing structure reflects the sophisticated approach needed to bring large-scale, mixed-use developments to fruition.
“For developers that haven’t used them, Finance Authority programs, whether it’s PACE Financing or their bond fund, are crucial,” Meadows notes. “Patty and her team are sophisticated, they know what they’re doing, and they can really help get a project off the ground.”
Community Integration
A key feature of the development is its meshing with existing infrastructure and neighborhoods. The project capitalizes on investments made by the city 15-20 years ago, including multi-use paths on both sides of Truman Boulevard. These pathways will connect TruePointe to several established residential areas, allowing residents to walk or bike to the new amenities.
“We were fortunate that when planning Trueman Boulevard decades ago, we included multi-use paths on both sides that connect into those neighborhoods,” Meadows explains. This infrastructure will prove particularly valuable for employees at ADS, who will be able to walk or bike between the company’s new headquarters and their recently opened $55 million R&D Center across I-270.
“By keeping ADS in Hilliard, the project also helps preserve a big part of the tax base for the city of Hilliard,” says Wathen. “It’s great to see them continue to grow here.” The company is Hilliard’s largest private employer.
Two Phases of Development
The project will be completed in two phases. The first phase, which includes the ADS headquarters, apartments, and initial retail spaces, should be completed by the end of Q1 2026. The second phase will begin after ADS fully relocates from its current headquarters, incorporating that 32,000 sf property into the broader TruePointe development. This phased approach will help transform Trueman Boulevard from a fast-moving four-lane road into a more urban, walkable corridor.
For Equity, which has its headquarters adjacent to the development site, the project holds special significance. The company’s deep roots in the area have informed their understanding of the community’s needs and potential. “Our company is a corporate citizen in Hilliard, and our family lives here” says Wathen, “Being a good community steward is very important to us.” Equity owns and occupies the former Red Roof Inns headquarters, which it shares with several other business tenants. It has eight offices in five states.
When complete, TruePointe will create a new urban center for Hilliard, providing the amenities needed to attract and retain both businesses and workforce talent. The development exemplifies how public-private partnerships, facilitated by organizations like the Finance Authority, can transform communities and create sustainable, walkable environments that serve both residents and businesses. By integrating with existing infrastructure and neighborhoods while bringing new amenities to the area, TruePointe represents a thoughtful approach to urban development that builds on the past while creating new opportunities for the future.