Full Breakdown
Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law Relocates to Downtown Columbus
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Rationale
Ohio State University announced in September that its Moritz College of Law will leave its campus home at Drinko Hall and move to the historic Huntington Bank Building on Capitol Square. The decision follows a discussion that began shortly after Dean Kent Barnett joined the university. City leaders point to a 2024 visit to Phoenix, where Arizona State University’s law school relocation boosted enrollment, as a model for the move. University President Ravi Bellamkonda framed the shift as a “land-grant” gesture, emphasizing stronger ties to the legal, governmental, and business communities that surround the Statehouse, Franklin County Courthouse, and the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Andrew Ginther added that the relocation should encourage graduates to consider public-service careers, noting the city’s revitalization efforts. Huntington Bank’s Sue Zazon called the project vital for preserving local history, while the university has not disclosed final plans for the vacated Drinko Hall.
Data and Project Timeline
- Students and faculty: > 500 students and ~ 100 faculty and staff members.
- Space: Approximately 200,000 sq ft of the 13-story building will be leased for a 30-year term, with an option to purchase later.
- Renovations: Begin in June 2027; classes are slated to start in the Huntington building in fall 2029.
- Location: 17 S. High St., across from the Ohio Statehouse and within walking distance of the county courthouse and federal courthouse.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The block O being on this building will be a special thing,” — State University Ravi Bellamkonda, state university president
- “I want us to be the hub of legal services in Columbus,” — Kent Barnett, of law dean
- “This building is minutes away from leading law firms that recruit our students. It’s literally embedding our students in the city and its fabric,” — State University Ravi Bellamkonda, state university president
- “We wanted these historic buildings to be preserved, reimagined and brought back to life in ways that would serve our community for generations,” — Sue Zazon, of Huntington Bank described the project as vital for preserving local history
- “The future of this city and the future of our downtown has never been brighter. Welcome home, Ohio State, to downtown Columbus.” — Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther