The Plan

Downtown Business Plan Brings Life to the Heart of our City

Since the Strategic Business Plan for Downtown's revitalization was launched in April 2002, there have been more than three years of accomplishments and investments. Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman created the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) as the non-profit organization charged with implementing the plan. Today, it is guided by its board of senior business and civic leaders.

Since 2002, there has been $552 million in public and private investment in Downtown's offices, parks, retail, education and more.

The Strategic Business Plan has five action strategies:

• Build more Downtown housing _ the goal is to build 10,000 units by 2012, the city's bicentennial. There are almost 1,000 new units of housing open and nearly 2,700 additional units under construction or in the development pipeline.
  
• Stabilize the office market _ reduce office vacancy rates so they equal national averages by 2012. Downtown office vacancy rates are on the decline and are now lower than in some outlying areas.
  
• Create a riverfront park system called the Scioto Mile _ the northern anchor of the Scioto Mile, North Bank Park, opened in May. Design development for the riverfront park between Battelle and Bicentennial Parks is underway.
  
• Improve parking and the movement of cars, transit and people _ the Cap over I-670 and revamped parking meter times throughout Downtown are recent accomplishments. Coming on the horizon are the new Town and Main Street bridges as well as the rebuilding of the 70-71 interchange through Downtown.
  
• Concentrate new mixed-use development along Gay Street and in the new RiverSouth District _ Gay Street is bustling with new housing, businesses and restaurants between Third and Front Streets. RiverSouth includes the former Lazarus Building and goes south to the county courthouse complex. A master plan for the 25-acre district is under development and will be unveiled later this year.

In partnership with the public and private sector and the community at large, CDDC is committed to returning life to our Downtown. This commitment will benefit all of us, as well as generations to come.

Learn more about CDDC and the Strategic Business Plan to revitalize Downtown at www.downtowncolumbus.com.

North Bank Park Complete

Downtown's newest park - North Bank Park - is now open. At nine acres, the northern anchor of the Scioto Mile features a three-season glass pavilion with a catering kitchen and double fireplaces, a children's fountain, and terraced plaza with spectacular views of the Scioto River and the Downtown skyline. Located adjacent to the Arena and Pen West Districts, the new park extends into the enlarged median between Spring and Long Streets.

The park's bicycle and pedestrian paths connect to the Olentangy and Scioto Trails to the north and to Battelle and Bicentennial Parks and Civic Center Drive to the south.

Scioto Mile Greens Up Riverfront

Stretching from the Arena District on the north to the Whittier Peninsula on the south, the Scioto Mile is a mile-long system of Downtown parks along the Scioto River. It includes places to run, bike, sit, read, eat, see, play, work, think and experience the excitement and energy of Downtown.

The Scioto Mile is a key component of the Strategic Business Plan to revitalize Downtown and transform our city's core by Columbus' bicentennial in 2012. It also will provide a front and back yard for the growing number of Downtown residents.

As an integrated system of bike and pedestrian paths, urban streets and new riverfront parks, the Scioto Mile will bring recreational and economic benefits to Downtown Columbus and bolster development of the new RiverSouth District.

"The Scioto Mile will change the face of Downtown Columbus. Just as hundreds of new residents are adding vibrancy and a 24/7 energy that has not been seen in the heart of the city in a long time; parks add values to properties _ both residential and commercial," said Columbus Downtown Development Corporation President and CEO Lawrence L. Fisher.

Other key elements of the Scioto Mile will include:

• An expanded grand Promenade along a narrowed Civic Center Drive
• A unique river-level park along the eastern edge of the Scioto River
• The renovation of Battelle and Bicentennial Parks
• Green connectors to North Bank Park and the Whittier Peninsula.

The Scioto Mile will include continuous bikepaths, pedestrian walkways and family activities along the river and will "green up" Downtown streets like Gay and Town that lead to the river.

Michael VanValkenburgh, one of the country's foremost landscape architects, is leading its design. Van Valkenburgh served as a jury member in the competition of the World Trade Center Memorial, and his firm recently completed the new Pennsylvania Avenue entry to the White House.

Construction and financing are divided into phases and will occur, as funding becomes available. Columbus Downtown Development Corporation is managing the development and construction of the Scioto Mile. Learn more at www.downtowncolumbus.com.