Today's Update: Construction News
September 3, 2026
Dear Student Life team,
You’ve heard the phrase “a step at a time.” Today, we took a major step forward in our commitment to providing the iconic Buckeye residential experience for our students.
Ohio State’s Board of Trustees this afternoon approved two significant projects. The first was approval for funding to add air conditioning to Baker Hall. The work will also include electrical infrastructure upgrades including electrical panels, switchboards and electrical outlets for the AC units. The money approved today will advance design work this academic year, and the actual construction will take place in the summer of 2027 to minimize disruption to students and operations at Baker.
The Board today also gave the green light for funding the renovation of Drackett and Taylor Towers, as well as the sunsetting of Jones Tower. This approval came after our previously approved design phase.
As a reminder, the vision for this project is to expand space for group activities as well as individual study and meetings. Residential floors will be renovated, including lounges on every floor that will introduce natural light into the corridor. Student rooms and furniture will be updated throughout both buildings. In addition, new plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems, sprinkler/fire safety equipment and other building systems will be upgraded. The project also includes relocating Taylor Tower’s main entrance to the ground level. Lastly, we will also be able to connect Taylor and Drackett Towers to the East Regional Chilled Water Plant by installing new taps to the existing piping system located within the North Residential District.
Taylor and Drackett Towers will be available for students at the start of autumn semester 2028.
I am Scarlet and Grateful to the members of the Board of Trustees for supporting this extremely important project and for your support of the path ahead!
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University