Interpretation of the boundaries of the district are evolving[1] as the neighboring blocks around the original 75-acre (300,000 m2) site have seen additional commercial and residential development.

[4] By the 1910s it was a light manufacturing hub home to Pabst Brewing Co., Ohio Casket Co., Stuart Lamneck Co. and the Columbus Auto Brass Co.

[3] Three successive railroad hubs, named Union Station, existed on the site, with the first being built in 1850 at High Street and Nationwide Blvd.

Following the closure of the Ohio Penitentiary the land was owned by the City of Columbus and it courted various firms and investors for redevelopment plans.

At the time of the project in 1996 then City Councilman Michael B. Coleman, who was later the mayor of Columbus, said that the Ohio Penitentiary site is the “most important and potentially most valuable single site in downtown Columbus.”[7] After proposals were reviewed, the City Council approved the redevelopment proposal from Nationwide Realty Investors (NRI) and sold the company the 23-acres of land for $11.7 million.

[10][11] In 2009, there had been a proposal to construct the Hollywood Casino Columbus in the Arena District on the site of a former tool factory next to Huntington Park, estimated to cost $250 million including 5,000 slot machines and table games, but was met with opposition from landlords in the Arena District.

[12] In 2021, Lower.com Field, a soccer-specific stadium that is the home of the Columbus Crew, was built on the site and will be the anchor of the Astor Park neighborhood, which is currently under construction.

The expanded boundaries include Huntington Park, the Lifestyles Community Pavilion and Buggyworks to the west, and Nationwide's corporate headquarters to the east.

Generally, when walking west of High Street the land falls away towards the Olentangy River, and the grade is significant, especially alongside Nationwide Arena.

These events include: The Arnold Sports Festival, Jazz & Rib Fest, Columbus Blue Jackets hockey games and concerts.

There is also a pedestrian walkway and footbridge that extends from Battelle Plaza at the east side of Nationwide Arena to Vine Street where there are numerous bars and restaurants, and access to parking garages.

[20] It has also hosted NCAA Men's[21] and Women's[22] Basketball National Championship Regional games, NCAA Men's Ice Hockey games,[23] Ohio State University Fall Semester Convocation,[24] performance events and concerts ranging from Taylor Swift[25] to Disney on Ice.

It provides access to the Ohio Health Ice Haus,[33] the practice facility of the Columbus Blue Jackets and several local high school teams, and the Big Lots!

It hosts lines prior to Blue Jackets games for the Student Ticket Rush[35] and the Huntington Green Seats[36] promotions.

Production at the Columbus Buggy Co. peaked in the 1890s, but faltered due to the invention and adoption of the automobile, as well as substantial damage from the Great Flood of 1913.

The cannon is fired when the Blue Jackets enter the arena, score a goal and win a game, followed by the chorus of “The Whip” by band Locksley.

[40] Two similar Napoleon cannons are a short walk away at the Ohio Statehouse where they can be found “…standing in silent guard,” of the Capitol.

The Clippers have been the minor league team for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians.

These events include the Arnold Sports Festival, Jazz & Rib Fest, Columbus Blue Jackets hockey games, marathons and triathlons.