The 2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan

2010 DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS STRATEGIC PLAN

INTRODUCTION THE 2010 DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS STRATEGIC PLAN ALLOWS EVERYONE FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO RESIDENTS TO BUSINESS LEADERS TO POINT TO ONE VISION AND SAY,

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The 2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan creates an overall vision for downtown that builds on previous planning efforts.

During this process the planning team, led by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, the City of Columbus and MSI Design, conducted an extensive public outreach effort.

Over the course of three town hall meetings and through the use of an interactive web site, more than 1,000 comments were received. The results are 10 Principles, 12 Ideas and 8 Strategies that will guide the revitalization of Downtown Columbus.

10 PRINCIPLES

No plan can gain acceptance without establishing a vision. The 10 Principles narrate the community’s core values and outline the goals for the future of Downtown Columbus. Some of these principles build upon current momentum, such as increasing the amount and variety of downtown housing, maintaining downtown as the employment center of the region, and continuing to foster public and private partnerships.

Other principles are more aspirational. The City needs to embrace transit as a competitive advantage. Arts and culture should be a prominent and visible part of everyday life downtown. Sustainability should be promoted to transform Downtown Columbus into the green capital of the Midwest. These 10 Principles provide a critical framework for this Plan, but they also provide a benchmark for judging success.

12 IDEAS

Innovation requires ideas. Columbus has a strong track record of challenging conventional wisdom—and succeeding. In 1995, who would have believed that the Ohio Penitentiary would be replaced with both a new arena and a new ballpark? Or that it was possible to build restaurants over a highway? In 2002, who would have imagined that Downtown Columbus would have a completely new riverfront park system and more than 2,000 new residents in just eight years? Even in the face of economic challenges, development downtown has continued, exemplified by the dramatic transformation of City Center Mall into Columbus Commons.

In this context, developing a new Creative Campus between Columbus State, Columbus College of Art Design and the Columbus Museum of Art seems possible. Restoring High Street and Broad Street as the most important commercial and civic streets in the City becomes necessary. Improving transportation alternatives is mandatory for the long term economic health of the City. Creating a sustainable urban neighborhood on the Scioto Peninsula is an opportunity that must be seized. The costs of reversing decades of environmental damage along our river corridors become surmountable. In short, we have the capacity and capability to realize these 12 Ideas and more if we decide that we want to achieve them.

8 STRATEGIES

“THIS IS WHAT WE WANT.”

Individual projects alone will not be enough to guide the continued revitalization of Downtown Columbus. Improving transportation alternatives, promoting sustainability, and increasing residential density cannot be solved by singular developments. There are no one-off solutions.

These complicated urban issues require a holistic approach and numerous public policy changes.

The 8 Strategies identify the policy areas that need to be addressed in order for Downtown Columbus to fulfill its potential. Specific action items are proposed to guide urban form, support new arts and culture investments, and enhance neighborhood connections. Properly implemented, these 8 Strategies will shape all future development in Downtown Columbus and ensure the success of the 12 Ideas and others that follow.

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10 PRINCIPLES NO PLAN CAN GAIN ACCEPTANCE WITHOUT ESTABLISHING A VISION.

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CONNECT USES, DISTRICTS AND PEOPLE

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CONTINUE TO DEVELOP SIGNATURE PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES

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MAINTAIN DOWNTOWN’S STATUS AS THE EMPLOYMENT CENTER OF THE REGION

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INVEST IN ARTS AND CULTURE

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EMBRACE TRANSIT AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

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PRIORITIZE SUSTAINABILITY AND THE GREENING OF DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS

04

GUIDE BUILDING FORM, DESIGN AND QUALITY OF THE PUBLIC REALM

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CONTINUE COLLABORATION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS

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INCREASE AMOUNT AND VARIETY OF DOWNTOWN HOUSING

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CELEBRATE THE URBAN EXPERIENCE THAT ONLY EXISTS DOWNTOWN

www.downtowncolumbus.com/plan

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12 IDEAS

INNOVATION REQUIRES IDEAS.

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CREATE NEW SOUTHEAST DOWNTOWN GATEWAYS The Southeast area of Downtown Columbus will be transformed by the I-70/71 Innerbelt project, creating two new gateway opportunities into downtown.

The reconnection of Mound and Fulton streets will create redevelopment opportunities.

Grant Hospital

Economic Development potential is estimated at $9 Million in annual tax revenue.

There are opportunities to create iconic gateways into downtown.

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Children’s Hospital

LEGEND gateway opportunity

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ENCOURAGE INFILL HOUSING AROUND TOPIARY PARK Surrounded on two sides by surface parking, Topiary Park has the potential to be a catalyst for residential redevelopment of these underutilized parcels.

By replacing surface parking lots with a new parking structure, residential infill will be possible surrounding this unique park space.

Motorists Insurance

Additional housing will strengthen the existing neighborhood and provide the residents needed to support retail uses that are currently lacking.

Topiary Park

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2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan

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12 IDEAS 03

ESTABLISH THE CREATIVE CAMPUS Through collaboration, the Creative Campus connects business, institutional and educational campuses to create a cohesive neighborhood.

By planning jointly, property owners have the ability to repurpose surface parking lots and create an interconnected and active campus.

Neighborhood Launch

Developing a shared parking garage to meet immediate needs frees up surface parking lots to be revitalized with open space and mixed use development that creates a vibrant, urban atmosphere.

Streetscape improvements will enhance connectivity and link the Creative Campus to the rest of downtown and the King Lincoln District.

Art Museum

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State Auto

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Columbus State

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REDEFINE BROAD STREET AS THE CIVIC SPINE OF THE CITY Once a grand thoroughfare, Broad Street today is designed to accommodate automobiles at the expense of pedestrians.

A narrower Broad Street could still serve automobile needs and the repurposed traffic lanes could be transformed into a linear park of usable green space for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Activating the streetscape and encouraging pedestrian activity will increase property values.

Added green space could be designed to manage stormwater, making Broad Street the most sustainable street in the Midwest.

EXISTING

PROPOSED www.downtowncolumbus.com/plan

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12 IDEAS 05

RESTORE HIGH STREET AS DOWNTOWN’S COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR

High Street, once a vibrant retail corridor, today functions as a bus transit mall that prevents on-street parking, creates bus congestion, and blocks retail storefronts.

By reducing bus traffic on High Street, on-street parking can be reintroduced to stimulate ground floor retail.

A rejuvenated streetscape will attract redevelopment and pedestrian activity.

Retail and streetscape enhancements are additive to the City’s Mile On High Incentive Program.

EXISTING

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REPLACE HIGH STREET TRANSIT MALL WITH A DOWNTOWN TRANSIT CENTER Following the model of dozens of downtowns, a transit center will allow for centrally-located, convenient transfers and serve as a boost to economic development.

A downtown transit center would provide a safe, weather-protected transfer location and reduce the concentration of buses on High Street.

Reconfiguring bus transit in downtown would be a catalyst for redevelopment, especially on High Street.

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PROPOSED

2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan

12 IDEAS 07

INVESTIGATE THE CREATION OF A MULTI-MODAL STATION Improved local, regional and national rail connectivity is important for the future of Downtown Columbus and central Ohio as a whole.

The site between the Ohio Center and the Greater Columbus Convention Center could be a hub for national, regional and local rail transportation. This location directly connects the Convention Center with the statewide population.

Rail development could be a catalyst for downtown redevelopment.

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DEVELOP A DOWNTOWN BIKE STATION

A bike station would further encourage and promote cycling as an alternative to automobile transportation for both residents and visitors.

Encourages bicycle commuting by providing needed facilities.

Could provide bike rental services for residents and visitors.

Enhances transportation alternatives.

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BUILD A DOWNTOWN FIELD HOUSE A dedicated sports facility adjacent to the Greater Columbus Convention Center would expand both sports and convention business opportunities.

Increases capacity to host sports events and boosts the downtown and local economy.

Provides sports facilities and amenities for downtown office workers and residents.

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12 IDEAS 10

CONNECT THE ARENA DISTRICT TO THE SCIOTO PENINSULA A pedestrian bridge would link two activity centers and provide an opportunity to enhance downtown’s skyline.

Creates a linkage between the Arena District and the Scioto Peninsula making it easier to walk between activity centers such as COSI and Huntington Park.

Arena District

Provides needed pedestrian and bicycle connections along the riverfront.

Opportunity to add a unique and iconic structure to the downtown skyline.

Veterans Memorial

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BROAD ST

COSI

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CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCIOTO PENINSULA A revitalized Scioto Peninsula could become a new gateway to downtown and help to catalyze redevelopment on the west side of the Scioto River.

Completes public park space on both sides of the Scioto River.

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BROAD ST

Turns COSI inside out to add to the visitor experience, increase attendance and embrace the riverfront.

COSI

Sustainable Neighborhood

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2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan

12 IDEAS 12

TRANSFORM THE SCIOTO-OLENTANGY GREENWAY CORRIDOR Although we have successful riverfront parks, we have not yet taken the steps necessary to clean our rivers, repair environmental damage, or make them usable for recreation.

By removing the Main Street low-head dam, which is not needed for flood protection or utilities, 45 new acres of green space would be created in Downtown Columbus.

With the planned removal of the 5th Avenue low-head dam, this creates a stronger greenway connection to Ohio State University.

Removal of additional low-head dams above 5th Avenue would realize a 16.5 mile recreational and environmentally restored river corridor linking two Metro Parks and connecting neighborhoods to Downtown Columbus.

Makes the City’s $2.5 billion Wet Weather Management Plan Investment apparent by restoring use and access to the river corridors.

EXISTING

PROPOSED www.downtowncolumbus.com/plan

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8 STRATEGIES

INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS ALONE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO GUIDE THE CONTINUED REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS.

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01 Establish MINIMUM DENSITY, HEIGHT, AND DESIGN STANDARDS for downtown development.

Create a hierarchical STREET NETWORK that enables and facilitates multiple modes of transportation.

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02 Improve transportation infrastructure and EXPAND MOBILITY OPTIONS to provide alternatives to automobile travel.

03 Develop a MULTIFACETED PLAN to enhance transportation, construct garages, and improve management of downtown parking.

04 Increase the amount and CONNECTIVITY of urban green space in Downtown Columbus.

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2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan

Establish downtown as the GREEN CAPITAL of the Midwest by prioritizing environmental sustainability.

Multi-Modal Station

07 Invest in arts and cultural institutions, venues and organizations to ensure downtown’s place as the CREATIVE HUB of central Ohio.

08 CONNECT USES, DISTRICTS AND PEOPLE throughout downtown and with adjacent neighborhoods.

IMPLEMENTATION

A GUIDE FOR PUTTING OUR 12 IDEAS INTO ACTION.

12 IDEAS

Potential ote t a Lead ea

Potential ote t a Actors cto s

Timeframe

01

Create New Southeast Downtown Gateways

CDDC, Property Owners, Institutions, ODOT, City, Discovery District SID

CDDC

5-10 Years

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Encourage Infill Housing Around Topiary Park

CDDC, City, Property Owners, Discovery District SID

CDDC

1-5 Years

03

Establish the Creative Campus

CDDC, City, CCAD, CSCC, CMA, State Auto, Property Owners, ODOT, Discovery District SID

CDDC, Institutions

1-10 Years

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Redefine Broad Street as the Civic Spine of the City

CDDC, City, ODOT, Capital Crossroads SID, Discovery District SID

City, CDDC

3-5 Years

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Restore High Street as Downtown’s Commercial Corridor

CDDC, City, COTA, Capital Crossroads SID

City, CDDC

3-10 Years

06

Replace High Street Transit Mall with a Downtown Transit Center

CDDC, City, COTA

City, CDDC, COTA

3-5 Years

07

Investigate the Creation of a Multi-Modal Station

City, ODOT, FCCFA, COTA

City, ODOT

5-10 Years

08

Develop a Downtown Bike Station

City, Capital Crossroads SID

City

1-5 Years

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Build a Downtown Field House

FCCFA, GCSC, City, Capital Crossroads SID

FCCFA, GCSC

3-10 Years

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Connect the Arena District to the Scioto Peninsula

City

City

1-5 Years

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Continue to Develop the Scioto Peninsula

CDDC, City, COSI, Franklin County, Private Developers

CDDC, City

1-10 Years

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Transform the Scioto-Olentangy Greenway Corridor

CDDC, City, Army Corps, OEPA, OSU, Metro Parks, ODNR, MORPC, Stakeholders

CDDC, City

3-10 Years

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www.downtowncolumbus.com/plan