UPDATED April 15, 2025
Dawes Landscape – Phase I
UNDERWAY
The Port Authority plan crafted with Dawes Arboretum for an upgrade to Base Campus landscaping is underway. Meadow creation, wildflower plantings, and additional plant material is being installed in Spring 2025 by contractor, Grace Landscapes. Under a Port Authority-held nursery license, the first phase of Ohio native plantings arrived from Acorn Farms and have been planted. This continues to move the campus to a more thoughtful, planned landscaping approach. Find a one-pager describing the project. Find an excerpt of the Dawes plans online. The theme: Visit a little piece of Dawes every day.
Sign Refurbishing
UNDERWAY
A 2024 evaluation of the Base Campus signage determined that all campus signs require refurbishment. This project includes repainting existing signs and updating the lettering on directional signs. Gray directional and entrance signs are being updated by Kessler Signs in Spring 2025. Street directional and the main Base Campus entrance sign off of Irving Wick are in design phase now.
STEMFlex Way Roadway Project
COMPLETE
This project consisted of the construction of approximately 570 feet of roadway and the installation of approximately 616 feet of water main with a fire hydrant. The roadway project also included the removal of additional asphalt west of the project site in two locations. Brennstuhl Construction started September 4, 2024 and completed the construction project in March 2025. The roadway has been dedicated to the City of Newark as a public street named STEMFlex Way.
New Autonomous Mowers
UNDERWAY
The Port Authority first used autonomous mowers as a demonstration project in 2021. Next generation mowers have been acquired. A solar-powered autonomous mower is now maintaining the same east side piece that the previous two mowers maintained. A second mower is planned to be deployed in a visible, grassy location on the west side.
Northwest Parking Lot
PLANNING STAGE
With increased employment, the northwest parking area (aka “The Pit”) of the Base Campus has seen more use than in recent years. The Port Authority is investing in a parking lot repaving project this Summer.
Horton Building Updates
UNDERWAY
In it’s 14th year since opening in 2011, the Horton Building is due for some update. A second floor lighting update has been contracted for with Salyer Electric with work starting once the fixtures have been received. A masonry repair project is also planned. HVAC updates are expected to be out to bids this Spring which, depending on supply chain functioning, could see installation as late as the first part of 2026.
Post 3 Roof Project
PLANNING STAGE
Roof replacement projects are an almost annual appearance on the Boeing Building and 2025 is no exception. A replacement to the roof in the Post 3 area is planned in 2025.
Lift Stations Updates
PLANNING STAGE
Both the City of Heath and Port Authority plan updates/upgrades to the Base Campus’ sanitary sewer lift stations. The campus’ primary lift station on the northwest side of the Base Campus and owned by Heath’s utility department will be updated this year by Heath. The east side lift station serving the Radiac Lab is slated for Port Authority update this year also.
Buildings 811 and 831 Updates
UNDERWAY
Two vacant buildings are for lease on the Port Authority Base Campus and have been the site of updates. Lighting and flooring improvements were undertaken in both buildings along with the remodeling of the office spaces.
Dawes Landscape – Phase II & III
DESIGN STAGE
The Port Authority collaboration with Dawes Arboretum is continuing with design for Phase II and III underway. Work is expected to start in Fall 2025. These phases will see an upgrade to landscaping in the remainder areas of the Base Campus and extend to the South Campus. This continues to move the campus to a more thoughtful, planned landscaping approach. Find a one-pager describing the project. Visit a little piece of Dawes every day.
