Westerville is putting $30 million into the ground east of Africa Road. Roads, utilities, stormwater, fiber, electric, trail connections. The city is acting as master developer on 88 acres and building out five shovel-ready sites for office, flex-tech, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing tenants.
This isn't a rezoning rumor. Construction on infrastructure started in 2025. This is already happening.
Here's what that means if you live near Africa Road, own on the Polaris corridor, or are trying to decide whether to buy in this part of Westerville.
What the "East of Africa" Project Actually Is
The city, through its economic development arm WICC, purchased about 88 acres just east of Africa Road in 2023. The land sits adjacent to Westar Place business park, near Polaris Parkway.
Think of it as Phase 2 of Westar. Westar Place has already brought thousands of jobs to Westerville, per city economic development figures. East of Africa is designed to extend that corridor east, adding a new generation of employers to the same proven pocket.
The city is controlling the project as master developer, which is unusual for a suburb this size. That means Westerville gets to dictate quality, allowable uses, and long-term planning in ways that most municipalities hand off to private developers.
Where the $30M Is Going
The city is not building the buildings. Private tenants do that. What the $30M buys is the infrastructure that makes private development possible.
Specifically: roads, utilities, stormwater systems, electric, fiber, and regional trail and park connections. When those are in place, five parcels become shovel-ready for Class A office, flex-tech, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing users.
Per marketing materials from CBRE and the city, sites are positioned for Polaris Parkway visibility with regional road connections, not strip retail. The plan includes park-like stormwater features and pedestrian connections, so this is intended to feel like a modern business park with green space, not a concrete warehouse district.
Infrastructure construction started in 2025 and is projected to run through 2025-2026. Private buildings can start going up alongside the roadwork.
Why the City Is Calling This "Generational"
City officials have used that word. The framing is that East of Africa and related City Hall improvements are meant to produce long-lasting job centers that serve Westerville for decades.
The financing backs that up. Westerville carries a AAA bond rating (per city financial disclosures), which let the city finance this at favorable rates. The project cost is real but the city structured it to avoid punishing taxpayers on interest.
Whether you believe the "generational" framing or not, the scope is significant. 88 acres, $30M in public infrastructure, Class A employer targets, and the city in the driver's seat on quality control. That combination is harder to replicate in most Columbus suburbs.
What to Expect in the Short Term Near Africa Road
This is where things get practical for anyone who lives or works in the area.
Expect lane closures, construction traffic, and changing access patterns on Africa Road, Polaris Parkway, and County Line Road during the infrastructure build-out. The city has addressed resident concerns about traffic and wildlife with phased construction and turn-lane modifications, but this area will be disrupted before it improves.
If your commute involves Africa Road, build in extra time through at least 2026.
What It Means for Property Near Africa Road and Westar
As infrastructure goes in and employers start committing to parcels, a few things tend to follow in corridors like this.
Land values in and immediately around the development area typically appreciate as the project de-risks. For housing near the corridor, strong employment anchors create demand from people who want short commutes. Westar Place already draws professionals who live in Westerville and north Columbus. East of Africa is set up to expand that population of potential buyers and renters.
That doesn't mean every home within two miles of Africa Road goes up automatically. Proximity to a construction site is a headwind in the near term. Homes directly adjacent to heavy infrastructure work can sit longer. The upside materializes as the corridor fills.
What I watch for as a signal: the first large employer lease announcements. When a named life sciences or advanced manufacturing tenant commits to one of those five sites, the price sensitivity for nearby housing tends to shift. That's the confirmation that the corridor is delivering on its plan.
If you own near Africa Road or Westar and want to know where your specific address sits relative to that curve, I'll pull the comp history and give you a read on how your location tracks as the corridor builds out. If you're considering buying in this part of Westerville, I can map your options against the project timeline before you commit.
Reach me at 937-239-2919 or book a time at calendly.com/adam-geuy.
Adam Geuy, Realtor - NextHome Experience | ABR, PSA, SRS | License #202000794 Each office is independently owned and operated.