Discovery District Placemaking Plan

Discovery District Placemaking Plan

Discovery District SID July 20, 2017

WHO WE ARE The Discovery District Placemaking Plan process was led by the Discovery SID staff and a Steering Committee appointed by the SID, with efforts supported by planning and design consultant MKSK. The Steering Committee met with the planning team every other month for the duration of this 10-month process.

Cleve Ricksecker Executive Director Mark Conte Deputy Director of Research, Planning, & Facilities Cass Freeland Office Administrator/Special Projects

STEERING COMMITTEE

Michelle Chippas Director of Engagement

Jeff Fisher, Columbus College of Art and Design

Shannon Fergus Former Project Manager

Charlie Hansen, Columbus Metropolitan Library

Cathryn Geppert, Discovery District Civic Association

Chris King, Discovery District Resident Matt Miller, Ohio Health

Chris Hermann, AICP, Principal Andrew Overbeck, AICP, Project Manager Luis Huber-Calvo, Project Planner Arin Blair, Project Planner Niels Braam, WayďŹ nding & Environmental Graphic Design

Katharine Moore, Jefferson Center Nancy Recchie, Discovery District Resident Sarah Bongiorno, Columbus State Community College, Creative Campus Representative

Emily Kerstetter, Graphic Designer

Becky West, Columbus Landmarks Foundation

Lindsey Elam, Planning Intern

Mark French, Columbus State Community College

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

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TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

6

WHAT IS PLACEMAKING

7

PLAN PURPOSE

8

THE PLANNING PROCESS

9

STUDY AREA

11

SECTION 2: WHAT WE HEARD

13

STAKEHOLDERS

15

MOBILE WORKSHOPS

16

WEBSITE

24

SECTION 3: “ESSENCE” OF THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT

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SIX THEMES, ONE DISTRICT

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SECTION 3: PLAN FRAMEWORK

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THE FOUR LAYERS

31

LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY

32

LAYER 2: STRUCTURES

36

LAYER 3: SPACES

40

LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS

44

THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

46

SECTION 4: IMPLEMENTATION

50

DISCOVERY CORE: THE DISCOVERY TRAIL PHASE 1

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COST ESTIMATES

62

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY & MATRIX

64

OPPORTUNITY SITES IMPROVEMENT MATRIX & MAP

67

APPENDIX: ALIGNED PLANNING EFFORTS & CREATIVE BRIEF

71

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A VISION FOR PLACEMAKING IN THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT

The Discovery District Placemaking Plan: Relying on the ideas of neighborhood residents, workers, students and visitors, the Discovery District Placemaking Plan creates a vision, defines goals and outlines specific action steps for placemaking opportunities in the Discovery District. This plan reinforces the district’s identity as a neighborhood of arts, culture, growth, and knowledge, guiding improvements over the next ten years.

The “Essence” of the Discovery District: The plan establishes an “Essence” of the Discovery District with six themes that define the identity of the neighborhood. These themes, derived from words submitted by the community when asked to describe the district, supply the underlying foundation from which future placemaking efforts should respond in order to be authentic and reflective of the Discovery District.

The “Essence” of the Discovery District themes are to be used in marketing collateral, grant writing, and other fund raising efforts.

Conceptually, the “essence” themes are to be used as the basis for creative parameters when soliciting artwork for placemaking efforts within the Discovery District.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

THE “ESSENCE” OF THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT IS A PLACE...

...FOR KNOWLEDGE

...FOR CREATIVITY

The Discovery District is a place where people come to advance their education, and is home to some of the city’s most prominent businesses and employers.

Artists, designers, makers, writers, performers and educators converge here to live, breathe, experience, and create art in its many forms.

...FOR DISCOVERY

...FOR TRANSFORMATION

The Discovery District is downtown’s hidden gem. Unknown by many in the Columbus Area, the district is full of surprises that often feel unexplored.

Transformation happens in terms of both the built environment and the people who visit or live in the district.

...FOR DIVERSITY

...WHERE HISTORIC MEETS CONTEMPORARY

The Discovery District is a welcoming place where people from all walks of life can make an impact.

The Discovery District is a place where history merges with state-ofthe-art.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION

DISTRICT-WIDE RECOMMENDATIONS

Organization: Placemaking interventions can occur in a variety of forms, from crosswalks to sculpture, from one-day events to permanent improvements. Respectively, the process of planning, approving and implementing such a variety of improvements varies greatly depending on each type of intervention. The plan responds to this variety of placemaking projects by arranging the recommendations into a framework system based on the types of places and spaces where planned improvements will occur.

Layer Four unifies all layers of placemaking in the district with The Discovery Trail.

Framework for Recommendations: This plan is organized into a Framework consisting of four layers: 1) Right-of-Way, 2) Structures, 3) Spaces, and 4) Connections. For each layer, the plan analyzes existing conditions and identifies opportunity sites for future placemaking, with initial design concepts provided as illustrative examples. Each layer’s analysis lead to a series of recommendations, shown to the right, forming a cohesive, implementable vision for placemaking in the Discovery District.

The Discovery Trail: “Layer 4: Connections” of the Plan Framework specifies a district-wide structure for placemaking—The Discovery Trail. The Discovery Trail integrates framework layers 1 – 3 into a single system for placemaking. Trail development is guided by a concept—”Escaping Elements”—aimed at unifying the district and showcasing its identity as a neighborhood of arts, culture, growth, and knowledge.

Implementation: The Implementation chapter includes conceptual plans for Phase 1 of the Discovery Trail, a matrix of opportunity sites with a menu of suggested improvements, and a matrix of plan recommendations with potential partners and project timeframes.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Engage artists and studios in partnership with the SID and Discovery District institutions and businesses for selection of opportunity sites and future placemaking Identify public and private funding sources Establish a review and maintenance process for public art and installations

LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY 1A. Strengthen Primary and Secondary Corridors to improve the pedestrian experience and develop streetscape reflective of the Discovery District 1B. Highlight and improve key intersections as gateways into the neighborhood

LAYER 2: STRUCTURES 2A. Activate blank facades with arts-focused treatments and installations 2B. Develop a tenanting strategy for underutilized or vacant storefronts

LAYER 3: SPACES 3A. Animate empty spaces through pop-up events, food trucks, and temporary art installations in the short term, and as pocket parks, plazas, or infill development in the long term 3B. Screen surface parking lots in artful, Discovery District ways 3C. Support community-building events through programming for all ages and backgrounds

LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS 4A. Develop a Discovery Trail system that functions in three primary ways: +

Connecting visitors, workers and residents with district destinations

+

Showcasing the district’s existing public art, buildings, spaces and institutions

+

Acting as an intuitive wayfinding strategy that builds on the district’s identity 5

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION 6

BACKGROUND WHAT IS PLACEMAKING? The term “placemaking” originated in the 1960’s with the notion that places should be made for the social interaction of people. It was made popular by the Project for Public Spaces in the mid 1990’s, and has become a widely-supported philosophy in urban planning.

Placemaking is a creative approach to designing cities for people: thinking about how we live and move in spaces, what will excite us and bring us together, and what programs and projects will address our specific needs as residents, workers and visitors. Placemaking capitalizes on a community’s assets, inspiration and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people’s happiness, well-being and attachment to an area.

Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of every community.”

Project for Public Spaces

Strategies for successful creative placemaking activities: Anchoring, activating, fixing, and planning (Bennett, ArtPlace America, 2015) Anchoring refers to when an arts and cultural organization acts as the key institution in a neighborhood, providing community identity and/ or generating area foot traffic and business (Examples: Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus Museum of Art, and Library).

Activating is when communities bring the arts (visual and performing) to public spaces, making public space more attractive, exciting, and safe (Examples: The Topiary, the “ART” gateway sign, festivals like Independents Day, and events like movie night).

Fixing is defined as re-imaging the use of vacant and blighted spaces through arts and design, and how communities use these spaces to connect people to opportunities.

Planning strategies include engaging community stakeholders through the arts and soliciting community input and suggestions in community design.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

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PLAN PURPOSE AN ACTIONABLE VISION FOR PLACEMAKING The purpose of the Discovery District Placemaking Plan is to create a vision, goals and action steps for placemaking opportunities in the Discovery District that are achievable within the short, medium, and long-term. The planning process relied on the ideas of neighborhood residents, workers, business and institutional leaders, students, and visitors in order to create a comprehensive vision for the district. This plan reinforces the district’s identity as a neighborhood of arts, culture and knowledge, and guides future district improvements.

The Discovery District Placemaking Plan... + Provides guidance and context for placemaking efforts within the Discovery District + Identifies strategic placemaking locations + Aligns the goals and programs of existing planning efforts in the Discovery District + Creates a conceptual plan for preferred public, quasi-public, and private spaces + Identifies temporary-, short-, mid-, and long-term opportunities + Creates an implementation schedule and process The projects identified through this plan... + Reinforce the identity of the neighborhood as the Discovery District based upon its “essence” + Help develop a sense of community and attachment + Create neighborhood focal points + Provide visual and physical linkages between existing job centers, attractions and institutions + Spur investment and economic development in the neighborhood + Attract more residents, workers, students and visitors DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

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PROCESS A TEN-MONTH, FOUR-PHASE EFFORT The Discovery District Placemaking plan was a 10-month effort divided into four primary tasks. The team worked in close consultation with SID staff and a Steering Committee of area stakeholders and leadership to lend guidance and expertise throughout the entire plan development.

In Task 1: Discovery, the planning team established a detailed work schedule and subtask list. Base mapping, assessment of existing conditions, photo documentation, and analysis of related planning and development processes gave the team a foundation of knowledge about the Discovery Special Improvement District (Discovery SID, or DSID).

In Task 2: Community Input + Ideation, the team conducted a robust outreach effort: interviewing stakeholders, facilitating eleven mobile workshops with multiple levels of engagement, and utilizing a custom project website.

CREATE VISION

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Task 3: Synthesize Ideas and Define Strategy incorporated all the information and ideas from the planning process into three deliverables: 1) Distillation of the character of the neighborhood—the “Essence” of the Discovery District; 2) Four layers of placemaking framework accompanied by recommendations and potential placemaking locations; and, 3) A conceptual plan for a Discovery District Trail to connect each unique effort across the neighborhood.

In Task 4: Implementation Plan, these concepts were refined into this final document, along with order of magnitude cost assumptions and strategies for implementation to be led by the Discovery SID staff and associated project partners.

DEFINE GOALS

DEVELOP IMPLEMENTATION STEPS

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SCHEDULE A TEN-MONTH, FOUR-PHASE EFFORT 2016 SEP

TASK 1: DISCOVERY (BACKGROUND AND COORDINATION) Work plan and overall timeline of the project Steering Committee formation Project website Stakeholder list Inventory and initial assessment

TASK 2: COMMUNITY INPUT + IDEATION Public workshops Public Engagement Summary Report Initial Discovery District identity summary

TASK 3: SYNTHESIZE IDEAS AND DEFINE STRATEGY

2017 OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

AUG

October 3 Steering Committee Meeting 1 November 14 Steering Committee Meeting 2

7 MONTHS January 30 Steering Committee Meeting 3

March 13 Steering Committee Meeting 4

2 MONTHS May 15 Steering Committee Meeting 5

1 MO.

TASK 4: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

JULY

3 MONTHS

Draft Placemaking Plan Presentation of plan + strategies

Strategy and Implementation Plans for each site Final Placemaking Plan

JUN

May 18 SID Board Meeting

July 20 SID Board Meeting Plan Adoption 10

STUDY AREA THE DISCOVERY SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT The Discovery District is a neighborhood district in the eastern portion of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The Discovery District is named for its blend 315 institutions of of arts organizations, higher education, historic centers and beautiful residences.

Victorian Village

The District is continually changing and developing, as evidenced by the recent addition of the Columbus Museum of Art’s Walter Wing and Sculpture Garden, the renovation of the Main Library and its connection to Topiary Park, and active planning in the Creative Campus at the northern part of the district.

Arena District

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Fort Hayes

670

King-Lincoln

CAPITAL CROSSROADS SID

et High Stre

The Discovery Special Improvement District (SID) was created by Discovery District property owners in 2007 in order to provide improvement and safety services in the neighborhood. The SID encompasses most, but not all, of the Discovery District and is funded by the property owners. The Discovery District Placemaking Plan focuses on the area within the Discovery SID boundary, but also addresses connections to the surrounding neighborhoods and downtown Columbus.

Short North

Italian Village

71

reet Broad St

DISCOVERY DISTRICT SID Old Towne East

Franklinton Riversouth

70/71

Brewery District

German Village

North 11

DISTRICT ANCHORS

40+

STUDY AREA INSTITUTIONS & ATTRACTIONS 71

L O NG LO N G S T R EE EET BR BR RII D G E K E LTON KE LT ON LT ON HO H O U SE SE FRA AN N KL KLIN AV A VE

T HU H U R BE BER PA P A RK RK

STAT ST S T AT AT E AU A U TO UTO TO

ARKET HILLS M

T O PI TO P I AR A RY RY PA R PA RK K

M O TO T RI R I ST STS I N SU S U RA A NC CE

C R IS CR IST TO O R EY EY

CA C AP PII T TA AL U N I V ER ER RS SII T Y S

Organizations, businesses, and attractions that call the Discovery District home include:

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Columbus Performing Arts Center East Town Street Historic District State Auto Insurance Motorists Insurance SERS

et Gay Stre

FR RA AN N KL K L IN N UN U N IIV NIV V ER E RSI R SI S ITY TY Y

G RAN R AN ANT HO O SP P IT T AL AL

S E RS SE RS

Topiary Park Thurber House Cristo Rey Columbus High School Jefferson Center for the Arts Kelton House Museum and Garden Grant Medical Center Jefferson Avenue Historic District

enue Grant Av

MAIN L I BR BRA AR RY

B A L L E T M ET BA ET

Columbus State Community College Columbus College of Art and Design Franklin University Capital University Law School Columbus Museum of Art Columbus Metropolitan Library— Main Library

70/71

t 4th Stree

treet Mound S

nue land Ave Clevela

Avenue

t eet in Str Main

CO C O LU OLU L U MB MBUS ST TAT ATE AT TE

ngton Washin

t eet Town Str

MUS SE EUM OF ART AR

CC C AD D

670

CO C OL LU U M B US US PE P E RF F. A AR R TS RTS TS CE C EN NT TE ER R

reet Broad St

treet Long Str

Sprin

et g Stre

E F F ER E R SO ON T HU H U R BE B E R J EF CE C E NT NTE ER R HO H OUSE

FOR FO RT T H AY E S

ATTRACTIONS/ INSTITUTIONS

North 12

SECTION 2: WHAT WE HEARD 13

800+

WHAT WE HEARD

RESIDENTS, LEADERS, EMPLOYEES AND VISITORS ENGAGED

PUBLIC OUTREACH: OVERVIEW

The planning process engaged the community in creative, artsoriented ways. These methods made the outreach process an act of placemaking on its own, both gathering data and ideas for the plan, and building awareness and momentum for the neighborhood. Overall, more than 800 residents, visitors, employees, artists, and neighborhood leaders contributed to the creation of the final plan.

425 IN -P E R SON E N GAGEMENT

Placemaking is the act of creating meaningful, memorable places in neighborhoods. Community outreach has the potential to strengthen our attachment to our communities, and is therefore paramount to a successful placemaking effort. This plan included a robust outreach process that included stakeholder interviews, interactive mobile workshops and a custom-built project website.

Interviews conducted by the SID staff in 2010 were also folded into the outreach data to enhance the understanding of the community’s desires and vision for the neighborhood.

+ Stakeholder discussions + Mobile workshops + Postcard exercise

+ Map exercises and GIS analysis + DiscoveryDistrictPlan.com website

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

W EB EN GAGE ME NT

The following pages summarize the outreach elements conducted in 2016/2017 for the creation of this plan, which included:

200 Students 85 Visitors 142 Employees

30

Members of city, business and institutional leadership interviewed

62

Residents engaged in multiple efforts

200 60

According to Creative Placemaking (Schupbach, 2015), “The arts bring diverse people together and give a sense of belonging to community members (bridging social capital).” This planning process used this concept as its guiding force, with activities designed to increase participants’ emotional connection to the Discovery District.

Participants in outreach activities, including:

647 443 1,785 48

Attendees to 2016 SID Annual meeting Executive Interviews in 2010

Website Sessions Users Page Views Surveys Submitted 14

SMALL GROUPS STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH Representative stakeholders from Discovery District institutions, business and user groups were invited to share their vision and ideas for the future of the district. The planning team interviewed these community members in a series of sessions in October and November of 2016. Stakeholders who contributed to the discussion represented a variety of community organizations, including educational institutions, major employers, developers, residents, apartment owners, the City of Columbus, and others.

The full list of stakeholder groups and individuals is listed to the right.

Key Findings: The district needs an identity. The term “Discovery District� is not well-known among those outside the community, and it is unclear where the district begins and ends.

Major points of interest need to be better connected. Visitors are only aware of major destinations, and do not know what else exists or how best to travel from place to place. Grant and Cleveland Avenues act as major connective corridors, but Broad Street is a barrier that divides the area into north and south portions. Visitors, students, workers, and residents need more inviting and safe ways to traverse the district.

There is opportunity to add more elements that identify and unify the district, as well as more diverse spaces (for students and adults as well as families), programming and community events within the district.

The district could use more placemaking, such as little free libraries, branded or decorative crosswalks, streetscape elements that tie into the district brand, food trucks, and parklets and plazas.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

EDUCATION

APARTMENT OWNERS

Columbus State Community College Columbus College of Art & Design Capital University Law Franklin University Cristo Rey Columbus High School

Market Mohawk/New Horizons Loving Realty The Abigail The Seneca Roger C. Perry & Co.

DEVELOPERS

CITY OF COLUMBUS

DeVere Day Companies Edwards Companies Walker Mainframe Celmark Development Group JDS Company

Economic Development Division Planning Division

MAJOR EMPLOYERS State Auto Insurance Motorists Insurance Grant Hospital OPERS SERS

OTHER Discovery District Civic Association Businesses Churches Retailers RESIDENTS 30+ Discovery District Residents 15

MOBILE WORKSHOPS COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Columbus Museum of Art

Throughout October and November of 2016, the planning team conducted a series of eleven interactive community workshops designed to engage as many people as possible who live, work, and play in the Discovery District. The traveling workshops included postcard activities and a series of mobile display exercises. Postcards depicting site improvement opportunities in the district asked participants to creatively express—with art and/or words—how they would enliven a parking garage façade, activate a green space, or hide a surface parking lot. Mobile displays asked the community to show on a map where they believed great spaces already existed, what places they visit and avoid, and where opportunity sites are located in the district.

Several hundred students, employees, and residents participated in the workshops.

Columbus Museum of Art

Columbus College of Art & Design

Columbus College of Art & Design

Columbus Museum of Art Columbus Main Library

Grant Hospital Cristo Rey High School* Motorists Insurance Franklin University

Columbus State Community College

SID Lunch/Dinner

State Auto Insurance

SID Annual Meeting

Capital Law School

Motorists Insurance

*The planning team gave a presentation in a Cristo Rey Faculty Meeting in lieu of conducting a mobile display at the school. The presentation oriented faculty to engage Cristo Rey students in the planning process.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

State Auto Insurance

16

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES MOBILE WORKSHOPS: POSTCARD EXERCISE Participants were invited to take a postcard and start drawing or telling the story of how they would like to see that space and/ or the Discovery District improved. Postcards included images of a parking garage located on E. Town Street, an empty landscape edge on Columbus State Community College’s campus, and a surface parking lot on Washington Avenue. From this exercise, the planning team learned community members would like to see Discovery District streets activated to engage pedestrians, and to see building facades and surface parking lots creatively improved/ screened with vegetation and art.

E Town St. Grant Hospital

P

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

CSCC Lot

Site 3: Rich/Washington Parking Lot

Walnut St.

P

Spring g St.

P

Washington Ave. Ave

Church Alley

Clevel and A ve.

Grant Hospital

Site 2: Cleveland Ave. Greenspace

Grant Ave.

Site 1: Grant Orange Garage

Rich St.

17

KEY FINDINGS MOBILE WORKSHOPS: POSTCARD EXERCISE Ideas for improvement and other comments collected during the postcard exercise included: + Activate the streets for increased walkability, safety, wayďŹ nding, and interest + Improve building facades by adding art or vegetation to blank or uninteresting walls + Create more places for people to eat outside + Improve Topiary Park with elements such as wayďŹ nding improvements, playgrounds, interactive landscapes, and more events + Increase the amount of Public Art, Sculptures, Murals, fountains and painted crosswalks throughout the neighborhood + Add more greenspace and plant variety across the neighborhood + Add places for a variety of community events + Install a blank chalk board wall for interactive placemaking + Creatively screen or line surface parking lots with vegetation and/or art to enhance the pedestrian experience along the public sidewalks + Create more engaging spaces for activity, and separately, spaces for relaxation and respite

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

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OUTREACH ACTIVITIES MOBILE WORKSHOPS: MAP EXERCISES The eleven interactive community workshops included a series of interactive map exercises compiled into two mobile displays.

The interactive maps of the Discovery District area included the following exercises.

Map Exercise 1: Participants were invited to place a sticker on A) the places they love in the district, B) the spaces they think are great, and C) places they regularly visit and places they avoid.

Map Exercise 2: The second map invited participants to indicate opportunity sites—the places they thought have the best potential to host temporary or permanent placemaking elements.

All the data collected in the map activities, from all the interactive workshop locations, were compiled and entered into a geographic information system. This information was used to create heat maps for each of the four map questions. The heat maps use color scales with increasing saturation levels to correspond with the number of times participants selected a particular site on the map.

USE THE STICKERS & TELL US

GREEN: GREAT SPACES YELLOW: PLACES YOU VISIT BLUE: PLACES YOU AVOID

The final heat maps quickly highlight which sites were most frequently selected across all participants, because those places show up with the darkest colors. It is important to note that in the findings, several of the great spaces and places most visited correlate with the places where the planning team conducted these workshops. Since participants in the workshops were often frequent users of these spaces, e.g., students of CCAD and Columbus State, the map questions—primarily the “places you visit” question—will be skewed to some degree toward the places were the workshops were conducted.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

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GREEN: GREAT SPACES

GREAT SPACES

YELLOW: PLACES YOU VISIT BLUE: PLACES YOU AVOID

MOBILE WORKSHOPS: MAP EXERCISE 1A 1

2

3

4

71 et oad Stre Brro

2 6

Avenue eveland Clle

4

ue t n Aven to Washiing 70/71

1 ue rant Aven Gra

3

eet Gay Strre

9

7

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670

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5

et g Stre Sprin

8

eet h Strre 4th

North

The sites most frequently identified as GREAT SPACES were the Columbus Museum of Art, Topiary Park, and the Columbus Metropolitan Library, all of which are located within “the heart” of the Discovery District. Of the spaces identified as “great” by participants, most included some outdoor amenities, such as gardens, landscaped lawns, or courtyards, which are accessible to the public. The District’s most prominent destinations (those drawing from a regional audience), such as the Museum of Art, Topiary Park, and the three college campuses, were top scorers. Destinations that attract residents and workers, such as Franklin Avenue, Thurber Park, and the Hills Market, also made the list. The top nine great spaces identified are: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Topiary Park (99 participants) Columbus Museum of Art (57 participants) Columbus Metropolitan Library (53 participants) Franklin Avenue (20 participants) Columbus State Community College Courtyard (20 participants)

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

6.

7.

8.

9.

Columbus College of Art & Design’s quad (19 participants) Franklin University Quad (18 participants) Thurber Park (16 participants) Hills Market (9 participants)

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GREEN: GREAT SPACES

PLACES YOU VISIT

YELLOW: PLACES YOU VISIT BLUE: PLACES YOU AVOID

MOBILE WORKSHOPS: MAP EXERCISE 1B 1

2

3

4

et oad Sttre Brro

9

70/71

3

1 6

enue Grrant Av

2

Avenue eveland Clle

7

ue ton Aven to Washiing

reet Gay Stre

5

eet trre Town Str

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eet Long Sttrrre

4

et g Stre Sprin

71

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reet tre th Str 4th

North

The sites most frequently identified as PLACES PARTICIPANTS VISIT were the same that were identified as great spaces, Columbus Museum of Art, Topiary Park, and Columbus Metropolitan Library. Unlike the “Great Spaces” question, participants were not asked to use a value judgment, and instead provide insight into how they actually use the district. Though the data may be skewed in favor of the locations in which the planning team conducted these mobile engagement sessions, the overall pattern suggests that people who come to the district do so to visit a single destination. As seen in the list below, places that were most visited are largely green spaces, institutional campuses, and job centers. One can also see the importance of the Hills Market to the district. The nine most visited places identified are: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Columbus Museum of Art (59 participants) Columbus Metropolitan Library (44 participants) Topiary Park (42 participants) Columbus State Community College courtyard (21 participants) Grant Medical Center (20 participants)

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

6.

7.

8.

9.

Columbus College of Art & Design’s quad (19 participants) Hills Market (14 participants) Franklin University (14 participants) Franklin Avenue (13 participants)

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GREEN: GREAT SPACES

PLACES YOU AVOID

YELLOW: PLACES YOU VISIT BLUE: PLACES YOU AVOID

MOBILE WORKSHOPS: MAP EXERCISE 1C 1

2

3

4

71

670

et oad Sttre Bro

eet Long Str

et g Stre Sprin

6

9

8

ue ton Aven to Washiing 70/71

5 d Avenue Clevelan

ue ant Aven Grra

2

reet Gay Stre

1

eet tre Town Str

3

4

7

reet th Stre 4th

North

The sites most frequently identified as PLACES PARTICIPANTS AVOID were the Cleveland Avenue and 670 areas, the area near Faith Mission, and various areas surrounding Grant Medical Center. Participants identified other areas that they avoid and discussed the following reasons with the planning team: feeling unsafe, places that feel isolated, surface parking lots because of traffic or because they feel isolated, poor streetscape, traffic and vehicle speed, lack of things to see or do, and vacant storefronts. Grant Medical Center was identified because of frequent traffic around the hospital, general discomfort when walking among patients, and general attitude that they have no reason to visit.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Area near Faith Mission (19 participants) Grant Medical Center (17 participants) Cleveland Avenue, particularly near 670 (13 participants) Grant Avenue & Main Street (10 participants) Surface parking lots (8 participants) Thurber Park (7 participants)

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

7. Franklin University (7 participants) 8. Surface parking lots (7 participants) 9. Franklin Avenue (2 participants)

22

RED: OPPORTUNITY SITES*

OPPORUNITY SITES

*WHAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY SITE? It’s any site that you think has the potential to host placemaking elements. These may be of a temporary or permanent nature.

MOBILE WORKSHOPS: MAP EXERCISE 2 1

2

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670

4 2

10

d Avenue Cllevelan

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ue ton Aven to Washiing 70/71

1

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ue ant Aven Grra

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eet Gay Strre

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8 reet Town Sttrre

eet Long Strre

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et g Stre Sprin

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et oad Sttre Brro

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eet th Stre 4th

North

The SITES IDENTIFIED WITH THE MOST POTENTIAL TO HOST PLACEMAKING elements were Columbus College of Art & Design, Topiary Park, and Columbus Metropolitan Library. This finding suggests that the places participants think are currently the best in the district are also where they would like to see more focused efforts and improvements—or it could be that they are the places respondents already associated with art.

Another interesting finding from this activity is that many of the sites identified as the best opportunities for placemaking were also those places that people said they avoid, such as the areas including The Roosevelt, Grant Medical Center, and Thurber Park. This suggests that participants, even when they are currently avoiding some places, see opportunities for improvement across the neighborhood.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Topiary Park (66 participants) Columbus College of Art & Design (38 participants) Columbus Metropolitan Library (34 participants) Columbus Museum of Art (29 participants) Columbus State Community College near central campus buildings (26 participants)

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Grant Medical Center (25 participants) Surface parking lots (22 participants) Franklin University (21 participants) Thurber Park (21 participants) Cleveland Avenue around CSCC campus (11 participants) The Roosevelt area (9 participants)

23

WEBSITE DISCOVERYDISTRICTPLAN.COM The planning team built a custom website for the Discovery SID Placemaking Plan. The website functioned in several ways to ensure the success of the plan. Key features of the site included: + Defining the Discovery District activity + Defining the Discovery District interactive word cloud featuring all activity results

647

443

1,785

48

SESSIONS

USERS

PAGE VIEWS

SURVEYS

A session is each separate period time a user is actively engaged with the website

Users that have had at least one session within the selected date range

Total number of pages viewed.

Repeated views of a single page are counted.

Comments users posted to Questions on site.

+ News articles featuring project milestones and promoting outreach opportunities + Participant survey + Contact Us feature for direct questions and comments + Sign up for Project Updates form used to enhance outreach email list + All documents produced through the planning process + Team information and FAQs + Crowdsource Story Map feature that encouraged participants to add their favorite places in the District to the map Over the course of the project, the website attracted 647 sessions by 443 unique users, for a total of 1,785 page views. The website allowed the plan to be accessible to everyone in the community and ensure they could engage with the plan throughout the entire process.

The “Defining the Discovery District” activity was integral to shaping the character for placemaking—the “Essence” of the Discovery District—featured in section three of the plan.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

24

SECTION 3: THE “ESSENCE” OF THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT 25

DISTRICT “ESSENCE” HOW THE “ESSENCE” WAS BORN Through our website, we asked visitors to participate in the following exercise: Describe the Discovery District in 5 Words The activity quickly became the most popular website feature, receiving more than one hundred definitions of the Discovery District using 90 nouns and adjectives. The planning team categorized and refined these words, which are shown in their entirety to the right, into six succinct categories, shown in the graphic below. With guidance from the Steering Committee, the planning team categorized and refined these words into six definitions, forming the “Essence” of the Discovery District.

EDUCATION

HISTORIC AND MODERN

CREATIVITY I ASSOCIATE THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT WITH...

DIVERSITY

DISCOVERY

TRANSFORMATION

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Budding

Anchor

Inspiration

Creative

Accessible

Friendly

Inventive

Inspiring

Fun

Innovative

Community

Educational

Academic

Edgy

Evolving

Educational/Education

Historic

Underutilized Gem

Students

Pedestrian Friendly

Artistic

Learning

Interactive

Safe

Growth

Artistic

Forward

Dynamic

Unique

Unconventional

Culture

History/Historic

Education

Professional

Neighborhood

Academic

Curious

Sprawling

Red

Urban

Creative

Learning

Parking

Work

Growing

Changing

Underrated

Safe

Diverse

About Community

Conveniently Located

Welcoming

Interesting

Quiet

Professional

Involved

Friendly

Asphalt

Unsafe (At Night)

Cultural

Choppy

Need More Activity

Knowledge

Relaxing

The New SoHo

Arts Institutions

Green

Artsy/Art

Gardens

Community

Walkable

Potentially High Rise

Gritty

Welcoming

Enchanting

Dynamism

Fun

Progressive

Undervalued

Creative

Energetic

Eclectic

Bleak

Appreciated

26

DISTRICT “ESSENCE” SIX THEMES, ONE DISTRICT The “Essence” of the Discovery District establishes an overall context for placemaking.

The six “Essence” statements define the identity of the SID neighborhood in succinct messages that tell a compelling, consistent story about what makes the Discovery District in Columbus a unique, special place.

Community outreach in the planning process indicated the neighborhood does not currently have a strong identity—it feels disconnected.

However, in all the words and phrases we collected through plan outreach, strong themes of neighborhood identity emerged.

Each of the six Discovery District character themes have been crafted to reflect with precision the essence of the neighborhood through the eyes of everyone who lives in, works in, cares about, and visits it.

Further, the “Essence” phrases act as key messages highlighting the strengths of the district. They are intended as tools to be used to describe the district in all relevant marketing and outreach efforts. Such uses can include event promotion, grant applications, requests for proposals for public art or special projects, and capital funding strategies.

A PLACE FOR KNOWLEDGE A PLACE WHERE HISTORIC MEETS CONTEMPORARY

A PLACE FOR CREATIVITY THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT IS...

A PLACE FOR DISCOVERY

A PLACE FOR DIVERSITY

A PLACE FOR TRANSFORMATION

To the right are the six themes that define the “Essence” of the Discovery District:

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

27

THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT IS A PLACE FOR...

...KNOWLEDGE

...CREATIVITY

...DISCOVERY

Home to four colleges/universities, two high schools, the library, museums, and a learning hospital, the Discovery District is a place where people come to advance their education. The district is also home to some of the city’s most prominent and innovative businesses and employers.

The Columbus Museum of Art, CCAD, Columbus Performing Arts Theater, Thurber House and Topiary Park embrace the arts and showcase it to the community as part of their DNA. Artists, designers, makers, writers, performers and educators converge here to live, breathe, experience, and create art in its many forms.

The Discovery District is downtown’s hidden gem. Unknown by many in the Columbus Area, the district is full of surprises that often feel unexplored. Sometimes gritty, but often wonderful, its streets and alleys connect picturesque campus and park settings with dense urban environments.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

28

THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT IS A PLACE FOR...

...FOR TRANSFORMATION

...FOR DIVERSITY

...WHERE HISTORIC MEETS CONTEMPORARY

Transformation happens in terms of both the built environment and the people who visit or live in the district. Along the district’s edges, new development is leading the way toward a changing urban landscape. Within the district, institutions are enriching minds and spirits, and expanding opportunities, while tranquil spaces invite respite and reflection.

Anchored by its rich history, but with an eye on the future, the Discovery District is a welcoming place where people from all walks of life can make an impact. Students, visitors and long-time residents bring a unique sense of energy and diversity to this community.

There is history here to be celebrated—and new chapters to be written. The Discovery District is a place where history merges with state-of-the-art. Historic homes and churches alongside newly-built residences and modern academic buildings distinguish the neighborhood’s charm and unique character.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

29

SECTION 4: PLAN FRAMEWORK 30

PLAN FRAMEWORK

1

RI G H T-O F -WAY

2

S T R U CT U R E S

THE FOUR LAYERS LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY LAYER 2: STRUCTURES LAYER 3: SPACES LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS

This plan divides its placemaking analysis and recommendations into four layers: Right-of-Way, Structures, Spaces, and Connections. This framework allows for an analysis that isolates the most relevant factors when considering opportunities and strategies for placemaking in the Discovery District. Placemaking elements can occur in a variety of locations within the public realm, from crosswalks to building storefronts and everywhere in between. Thus, there is a considerable amount of overlap among the layers. The plan addresses this overlay with Layer 4: Connections. Layer 4 addresses district-level placemaking, such as physical pedestrian connections that occur within both the Right-of-Way and privately-owned spaces.

Recommendations for placemaking can have a large number of potential actors, review organizations, and guidelines. The four framework layers are organized by level and type of approvals each project implemented will be subject to. For instance, a painted crosswalk occurs in the right-of-way, and may be subject to streetscape guidelines by the city and state DOT. On the other hand, a mural on a privately-owned building facade involves property owners, resident associations, and perhaps review entities. The analysis that leads to identifying these placemaking opportunities is equally diverse.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Streets, Streetscape, Sidewalks, Alleys, Intersections, Lighting

Buildings, Parking Garages/ Decks, Walls

3

4

S PAC E S

Parks, Open Space, Surface Lots, “Leftover Ground�

CON N E CT I ON S

District Identity, Physical Connections

31

LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY

27%

EXISTING CONDITIONS EXISTING RIGHT-OF-WAY

t eet Long Str

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The Right-of-Way includes road pavement, sidewalks, streetscape elements, lighting, lawns, and medians. Most visitors will experience the district from the right-of-way, often making first impressions about the quality of the area from the condition of the roads and sidewalks.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

t

4th Stree

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78 ACRES OF THE DISTRICT’S 291 ACRES ARE IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY

North 32

RECOMMENDATIONS LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY The Discovery District has strong East-West connectivity through Spring Street, Long Street, Broad Street, and Town Street. These roads make it convenient to move from King-Lincoln and Olde Towne East to the Downtown Core and Riversouth. The convenience is currently geared toward automobile drivers, though recent improvements to Spring, Long, and Mound Streets have added bike lanes and in the case of Mound Street, improved the streetscape.

North-South connectivity remains fractured through the district, with most streets not running through the entire district boundary.

At its edges, Interstates 70/71, 71, and 670 make it challenging to move between the Discovery District and its North/South neighbors of German Village and Fort Hayes. Within the district, Broad Street was noted by both stakeholders and residents as a major North/ South Divide, due to both long pedestrian crossing distances, as well as a lack of left turns.

The district is its most walkable at its core, especially near campuses north of Broad Street. Other walkable nodes, such as Franklin Avenue and the intersection of Grant and Long, remain disconnected, with many residents expressing that they would rather drive what they consider to be walkable distances. The following Right-of-Way recommendations, shown below, thus focus on improving walkability on major corridors, and drawing in people from significant intersections to bridge the North-South divide.

1A

Strengthen Primary and Secondary Corridors to improve the pedestrian experience and develop sreetscape reflective of the Discovery District

1B

Highlight and improve key intersections as gateways into the neighborhood

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Precedent Examples for “Right-of-Way” Placemaking Strategies

33

OPPORTUNITIES

1 - Broad Street Primary Corridor

7 - Broad/Grant Opportunity Intersection

2 - Grant Avenue Primary Corridor

8 - Broad/Washington Opportunity Intersection

3 - Washington Avenue Primary Corridor

9 - Grant/Town Opportunity Intersection

4 - Spring Street Secondary Corridor

10 - Grant/Main Opportunity Intersection

5 - Town Street Secondary Corridor

11 - Library Park Opportunity Corridor

LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY

6 - Lester Drive Secondary Corridor

OPPORTUNITY CORRIDORS & INTERSECTIONS

71

6 Primary Corridor Secondary Corridor

rive Lester D

Secondary Corridor (Planned) Opportunity Intersections

11

1

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ark Library P

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4

70/71

3

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Sprin

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5

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d Avenue Clevelan

2

9

10

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

t

4th Stree

Mound S

As seen in the graphic, Broad Street, Grant Avenue and Washington Avenue are Primary Corridors that have the potential to become deďŹ ning features of the district. Broad Street acts a major north-south divide within the district, and was often identiďŹ ed as a challenge to walkability. Grant Avenue is a north-south connector, though residents and visitors noted poor streetscape conditions and a lack of pedestrian amenities. An initial concept of a typical design treatment for each opportunity intersection is depicted on the next page. While the image features Broad Street at Grant, the illustrated concept could be adapted for all opportunity intersections.

eet Main Str

670

treet

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North 34

OPPORTUNITY INTERSECTION LAYER 1: BROAD STREET & GRANT AVENUE OPPORTUNITY

ENHANCE STREETSCAPE WITH TREES

DECORATIVE MAST ARMS

DISTRICT-THEMED SCULPTURE INTERSECTION ART

ARTISTIC CROSSWALKS BUMP-OUTS

The intersection of Broad Street and Grant Avenue is a right-ofway opportunity site due to its prominence, and the fact that it connects college campuses in the northern part of the district with amenities and destinations found in the southern portion. Existing crosswalks, which currently serve as an essential function in the downtown area, can be improved and bump outs can be added to shorten pedestrian crossing distances. These improvements

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

would enliven the pedestrian experience, calm traffic, and create safer streets by making crosswalks more visible to drivers. The initial design concept for the Broad and Grant intersection includes enhanced streetscapes with trees, district themed murals, decorative mast arms, artistic crosswalks, and intersection art that ties the intersection into the district theme and the neighborhood’s existing character.

35

LAYER 2: STRUCTURES EXISTING CONDITIONS EXISTING UNDERUTILIZED STOREFRONTS & BLANK FACADES

71

Vacant Storefronts Underutilized Storefronts

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n Avenue

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Sprin

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Blank Facades

70/71

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DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

treet t

4th Stree

Mound S

Though home to remarkable architecture, the Discovery District also includes buildings that are either vacant, in disrepair, or do not fully engage the street. The graphic above overlays the “Places People Avoid” heat map with empty storefronts and blank facades. The map shows that people tend to avoid places that have a high concentration of empty structures, many of which front Grant and Cleveland Avenue.

eet Main Str

670

ee Town Str

t

d Avenue Clevelan

North 36

RECOMMENDATIONS LAYER 2: STRUCTURES A walkable street must be more than a lively streetscape. The engagement process revealed that many visitors, such as students, do not venture out into much of the district because of a perceived lack of activity and energy. Empty or inactive storefronts, as well as blank facades, add to this perception and deter people from walking through the district and discovering its many hidden gems.

A long-term tenanting strategy that retains and nurtures local businesses will, with time, bring back life to some of these vacant buildings. In the shorter term, these empty structures or facades can be activated with temporary solutions, such as pop-up retail, artistic displays, and interactive installations, as seen in the examples to the right. These temporary solutions bring life back to the street, and are an opportunity to showcase what makes the Discovery District unique. Partnerships with local artists, CCAD, and the Museum of Art can expand the reach of art in the district, and connect local artists with funding and support.

Recommendations for structures are as follows:

2A

Activate blank facades with arts-focused treatments and installations

2B

Develop a tenanting strategy for underutilized or vacant storefronts

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Precedent Examples for “Structures� Placemaking Strategies

37

OPPORTUNITIES

BLANK FACADES

STOREFRONTS

1 - State Auto Building Facade

4 - Building at Cleveland/Naghten

2 - Motorists Parking Garage Facade

5 - Long Street Buildings

3 - Grant Orange Garage

6 - Seneca Building Storefront 7 - Building at Oak/Washington

LAYER 2: STRUCTURES

8 - German Village Music Haus

OPPORTUNITY STOREFRONTS AND BLANK FACADES

71

Opportunity Storefronts

Oak Stre

1

d Avenue Clevelan

4

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to Washing

7

70/71

2

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Sprin

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Opportunity Blank Facades

8 3

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6

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

treet t

4th Stree

Mound S

The Motorists Garage and the Grant Hospital Orange Garage were identified as opportunity sites, since their facades are currently nondescript and present a large “canvas” for an artistic intervention.

Vacant or underutilized storefronts identified as opportunity sites were generally in intersections with high visibility, or along an Opportunity Corridor, such as Grant Avenue or Washington Avenue. An initial design concept for the Grant “Orange” Garage is depicted in the following page, as a representative example of a facade treatment that can be applied elsewhere in the district.

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North 38

OPPORTUNITY SITE LAYER 2: GRANT HOSPITAL “ORANGE” GARAGE OPPORTUNITY

MURAL OR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE

ENHANCED STREETSCAPE

IMPROVED CROSSING

The Grant garage is an opportunity site because of its location at the corner of Grant Avenue and Town Street. Grant’s “Orange” garage (Grant Hospital parking garages are labeled with colors) is a large, rectangular facade framed by the concrete of its structure.

This space could be used as a canvas for artistic improvements that act not only as a wayfinding element for visitors and patients to the hospital, but also as public art to be enjoyed by the

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

community. Consider if an art piece or architectural improvement was chosen for this site that 1) was predominantly orange 2) featured a well-known doctor/nurse character or scene from literature. This type of improvement would subtly promote Grant Hospital, the Library, and the Museum of Art all in one. Other opportunities for placemaking here include prominent crosswalk details to make walking in front of the entrance safer and street trees to enhance walkability.

39

LAYER 3: SPACES

PROPOSED/UNDER CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENTS 1 - Motorists Residential

4 - Oak Street Residential

2 - Motorists Residential Future Phases

5 - Town Street Residential

3 - Residential Mid-Rise

6 - Social Justice Park

EXISTING CONDITIONS EXISTING PARKING LOTS, DEVELOPMENT SITES & PARKS/OPEN SPACE

71

26%

Surface Parking Lot Park/Open Space

treet Long Str

ton ingto Washin

2

Avenue 70/71

3 MUS SE EUM OF ART AR

6 CC C CCAD C AD AD

1

reet Broad St

C OLU OL LU UMB BU US S TAT T AT TE

76 ACRES OF THE DISTRICT’S 291 ACRES ARE PAVED PARKING LOTS

T HU H U RBER R BE ER PA A RK RK

et Gay Stre

FO OR RT T H A Y ES ES

Sprin

et g Stre

Proposed/Under Construction Development

TO O PI PIA AR RY RY P A RK PA R

MA AII N L I BR BRA AR RY

enue Grant Av

Clev Cle Cl evel ela ela an nd Av A en enue

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

5

t 4th Stree

treet Mound S

Parking lots, shown in gray in the map above, are found in all corners of the district and generally occupy large swaths of land. The plethora of parking lots disrupt walkability, and create an environment in which automobiles dominate the landscape. Though redevelopment of some parking lots is being planned south of Broad Street, the campus areas north of Broad showcase parking at the outer edges and occupy entire blocks.

F R ANKLIN FR AN A ANK N KL K L IIN N U NIVERSITY UN N IVER I V ER IV E SI SIT TY Y

t eet in Str Main

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GRA GR AN NT HOS HO SP P ITAL IT TA AL L

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North 40

RECOMMENDATIONS LAYER 3: SPACES Due to the sheer number of surface parking lots, many visitors to the Discovery District perceive it to be a “parking crater” rather than a vibrant urban neighborhood. Since many of these lots are privately owned, or crucial to business and institutional operations, their redevelopment remains challenging and likely piecemeal. As a result, temporary solutions focusing on placemaking are a suitable alternative that preserve parking in the short term, while prioritizing district identity, the pedestrian environment, and building a sense of community. As seen in the images to the right, these solutions include pop up parks, event programming, food trucks, and parking lot screening.

General recommendations for spaces are as follows:

3A

Animate empty spaces through pop-up events, food trucks, and temporary art installations in the short term, and as pocket parks, plazas, or infill development in the long term

3B

Screen surface parking lots in artful, Discovery District ways

3C

Support community-building events through programming for all ages and backgrounds

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Precedent Examples for “Spaces” Placemaking Strategies

41

OPPORTUNITY SITES

OPPORTUNITY SITES

1 - Open Space Near Thurber Park

4 - Lot at Washington/Town

2 - State Auto Lot Broad Street Frontage

5 - Grant Surface Lot

3 - Topiary Park Programming Strategy

6 - Grant Open Space Frontage

LAYER 3: SPACES

7 - Lot by Faith Mission

EXISTING PARKING LOTS, DEVELOPMENT SITES & PARKS/OPEN SPACE

71

Opportunity Site Park/Open Space

eet Long Str

1

T O PI TO P I AR ARY Y P A RK PA R

MUS SE EUM OF ART AR

Cleveland Avenue

MA AII N L I BR BRA AR RY

5

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6

Mound S

treet t

4th Stree

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et Gay Stre

With two exceptions, opportunity sites for spaces are located south of Broad Street, and include parking lots, street frontages, and vacant lots. Public engagement participants noted that Topiary Park, though a “great space,” needed programming that attracted all ages, including young adults. This plan thus recommends that a programming strategy be developed for the park to expand its offerings. Parking lots and vacant lots were selected as potential activation sites, in which screening, pop up events, and food truck gatherings could occur. An initial design concept is depicted for the Grant open space frontage in the following page. This design is representative of how other opportunity sites can be activated in the district.

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DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

70/71

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CC C CCAD C AD AD

670

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Proposed/Under Construction Development

North 42

OPPORTUNITY SITE LAYER 3: GRANT OPEN SPACE FRONTAGE OPPORTUNITY

PEDESTRIAN STREET LIGHTS THEMED SCULPTURE/ SEATING AREA

PARKING BUFFER REMOVE FENCE

IMPROVED CROSSINGS IMPROVED STREETSCAPE

The Grant Greenspace opportunity site is located just north of Grant Hospital on Grant Avenue. This site is ideal for placemaking improvements because of its potential to be an amenity for pedestrians in the neighborhood, library visitors, patients and visitors to the hospital as well as its visibility to vehicles. In the initial design concept, a literary themed sculpture promotes the library, adds to the neighborhood’s public art, and provides shade

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

and seating for visitors. Wayfinding and signage for the hospital is respected and remains untouched. The fence has been removed, so this mini-park is inviting to passersby, and a buffer ensures safety from vehicles in the attached lot. In addition to general streetscape enhancements, crosswalk improvements enhance the walkability of Grant Avenue.

43

LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS 1

EXISTING CONDITIONS

2

EXISTING PEDESTRIAN PATHS & PUBLIC ART

3

71

29

Park/Open Space Existing Pedestrian Path

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

et

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Oak Stre

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S ERS SE E RS RS

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The Discovery District is home to some of downtown’s most striking works of public art, from Topiary Park to CCAD’s many sculptures and murals. These works, some prominent and others hidden gems, are themselves a destination and are recognized with two City of Columbus Art Walks within the district.

Pedestrian movement occurs mostly through sidewalks along streets, though two mid-block paths, one by Thurber Park and another by the Kelton House, provide alternate routes filled with public art, shading, and pedestrian amenities.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

enue Grant Av

GRA GR AN NT HOS HO SP P ITAL IT TA AL L

F R ANKLIN FR AN A ANK N KL K L IIN N U NIVERSITY UN N IVER I V ER IV E SI SIT TY Y

treet

CC CA AD D

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FO OR RT T H A Y ES ES

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MUS SE E EU UM OF AR A RT

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C O LU CO LU M B U S S TAT T ATE AT E AT

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T H U R BE BER PA P AR RK K

North 44

CONNECTIONS EXISTING CONDITIONS The Discovery District lives and breathes art. The district is a place where students, artists, and art patrons come together to celebrate creativity and showcase their talent. Area institutions, such as CCAD, Columbus State, and the Museum of Art, prove their commitment to the arts with works of public art sprinkled through their campuses. Nevertheless, much of the district’s art remains undiscovered by most Columbus residents. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

Some of the most successful works of public art in the district are those that are integrated with their surrounding urban fabric and context. For instance, the path connecting Gay Street with Thurber Park moves pedestrians through red “gates” intermingled with trees and benches. Though this path takes place mostly within a parking lot, the experience resembles that of a linear park in which art is treated as both an object, and as wayfinding. This form of showcasing art, while increasing pedestrian connections, is one that is worthy of expansion.

From the early stages of the planning process, stakeholders and public engagement participants expressed that the Discovery District lacked a cohesive identity. The district is home to large institutions, employers and many regional attractions, yet many people felt like Columbus residents had never heard of the Discovery District. The large number of institutions presents a challenge in creating a cohesive look, as each campus has its own color scheme and branding. Residents and stakeholders also expressed that walking through the district is often not an enjoyable activity, and there are many gaps between the district’s walkable nodes.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Precedent Examples for “Connections” Placemaking Strategies

45

RECOMMENDATION LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS – THE DISCOVERY TRAIL: A DISTRICT-WIDE PLACEMAKING SYSTEM The plan thus recommends that a trail network be implemented throughout the district. The Discovery Trail will connect institutions, showcase the district’s art, and provide a framework and canvas for future works of art that build on the Discovery District’s identity. The Discovery Trail is designed to connect residents and visitors to the district’s many attractions and destinations, by celebrating the district’s diversity. It combines Layers 1 – 3 into a district-wide system for placemaking. The recommendation for connections therefore includes:

4A

Develop a Discovery Trail system that functions in three primary ways: + Connecting visitors, workers and residents with district destinations + Showcasing the district’s existing public art, buildings, spaces and institutions + Acting as an intuitive wayfinding strategy that builds on the district’s identity

THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

46

THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

1 - Discovery Core Loop

5 - Olde Town East Connector

2 - Thurber Park to Library Leg

6 - Fort Hayes Connector

3 - Columbus State to Franklin University Leg

7 - Long Street Connector

4 - King-Lincoln Connector

9 - German Village Connector

LAYER 4: THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT TRAIL SYSTEM MAP

Phase 2: Arts & Culture Connectors

6

C OLU OL LU UMB BU US S TAT T AT TE

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Cleveland Avenue

40+ ATTRACTIONS/ INSTITUTIONS

et

THURB BER BE ER PA R PA RK K

4

Phase 3: Neighborhood Connectors

71 K E LT KE LT ON N H O US HOUS HO USE

Oak Stre

Phase 1: Discovery Core

5

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ST TA AT TE TE AU A UT TO O

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CC CA AD D

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DISCOVERY TRAIL PROPOSED ROUTE

8 - Riverfront Connector

TO T O PI P I ARY ARY AR PA P A RK K

MAIN L I B R AR AR RY Y

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9

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

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The Discovery Trail provides a comprehensive network of pedestrian connections that showcase art, connect institutions, and move visitors, residents, and employees through the district.

The trail is recommended to be implemented in three phases, starting at the core of the district and radiating outward toward the edges, eventually connecting to nearby neighborhoods.

et Gay Stre

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F R ANKL FR AN AN NKL K L IIN KL N UNIVERSI UN U N IV I V ER E RS R RSI SII TY S TY

North 47

CONNECTING THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT CROSS-POLLINATING WITH “ESCAPING ELEMENTS” ALONG THE DISCOVERY TRAIL The Discovery Trail is designed to connect the district by celebrating the district’s diverse attractions and destinations. The goal is to create and reinforce physical and emotional connections to local art and institutions by connecting messages and experiences to that art and to those institutions.

The concept of “Escaping Elements” was developed to ensure the Discovery Trail not only has a strong, unifying theme, but also contains the flexibility to be highly customizable. The concept unifies the district by promoting and celebrating all partner institutions and neighborhood gems. Each placemaking element should represent something “escaping” from an institution, be it knowledge, individuals, art, poetry, or etc. What has “escaped” should inform or otherwise engage the viewer and should offer insight into the institution represented by the feature.

The Discovery Trail builds on this concept, and uses it as an organizing element. The result is a trail that derives inspiration for the public art it showcases from elsewhere in the district.

For instance, a new sculpture at Thurber Park along the trail can feature elements from a painting at the Columbus Museum of Art. In a similar fashion, stories and patterns can “escape” the Main Library, and make their way through the trail into other portions of the Discovery District.

The root of this concept is already a prominent feature in the Discovery District, in the form of the Topiary Garden at Deaf School Park. In such, characters from the painting “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” by Georges Seurat, have “escaped” the painting, and are transformed into topiaries set in a lush park environment.

Topiary Garden offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves within a painting, experiencing its subject in a new context.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

TOPIARY GARDEN IS THE DISTRICT’S FIRST DISPLAY OF ESCAPING ART

Concept Guidelines: + Each District Anchor institution should be explicitly represented in a single trail feature (with the exception of the Library and Museum of Art, which could arguably be connected to any improvement). + These representative features should be located along trail routes that lead to that institution and at least 200 feet away from the institution. Locations out of sight from the institution they represent are preferred. + Each segment of Discovery Trail should include at least one wayfinding element. Locations at trail path turns and in close proximity to anchor institutions are preferred. + Each representative trail feature should be developed in close consultation with SID staff and in partnership with the representative institutions.

48

CONNECTING THE DISCOVERY DISTRICT AN EXAMPLE OF CROSS-POLLINATING WITH “ESCAPING ELEMENTS” ALONG THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

n Avenue

to Washing

CCAD

Cleveland Avenue

LIBRARY ELEMENTS ESCAPE TO TOPIARY PARK

M AI N L I BRARY

et Gay Stre

670

G RANT HO SP ITAL

CAPITAL UNIVERSITY ALUMNI WORK ESCAPES TO GRANT HOSPITAL

eet Town Str

CAPI TAL U NI V ERSI T Y L AW SCHO O L

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

TO PI ARY PARK

t

4th Stree

70/71

WHAT CAN BE HIGHLIGHTED FROM THE LIBRARY? Examples include: Distinctive Library architecture details nue ant Avetile (ex. pattern), GrLobby most popular/checked-out books, library programs, stories written by patrons, etc. This broad spectrum of possibilities should be considered for each identified Discovery District place.

treet Mound S

M U SEU M O F ART

Oak Stre

STUDENT AND ALUMNI WORK ESCAPE TO THURBER PARK

ARTWORK FROM MUSEUM ESCAPES TO TOPIARY PARK

et

T HU RBER PARK

eet Broad Str

eet Long Str

et g Stre Sprin

Examples include: James Thurber cartoons, recent speaker series, collection highlights, Thurber Prize winners, resident writers, etc. This broad spectrum of possibilities should be considered for each identified Discovery District place.

71

THURBER ELEMENTS ESCAPE TO CCAD

eet Main Str

WHAT CAN BE HIGHLIGHTED FROM THE THURBER HOUSE?

North 49

SECTION 5: IMPLEMENTATION 50

IMPLEMENTATION INTRODUCTION The recommendations outlined in the Plan Framework chapter strive to provide foundational elements that contribute to the character and place of the Discovery District, both as temporary and permanent solutions.

CONTENTS PRIORITY IMPLEMENTATION: DISCOVERY CORE PHASE 1 Introducing the Discovery Core

Permanent additions to the district include streetscape improvements, public art pieces, and ultimately the buildout of pocket parks and plazas, or private development. Other interventions may take a temporary form, such as pop up events, temporary activation of vacant lots, and pop up retail. These interventions add interest and excitement to the district while building community awareness and resident pride.

Core: Phase 1A Map

The plan weaves all of these efforts into a cohesive story, through the physical manifestation of a district-wide trail network, named the Discovery Trail. The trail tells a story about the district’s identity, and encourages visitors, employees, students, and residents to discover what makes the Discovery District a vibrant and unique Columbus neighborhood.

ORDER OF MAGNITUDE COST ESTIMATES

The success of this plan will be built on strong and collaborative partnerships between the SID and the Discovery District community.

These relationships will allow for a productive environment in which placemaking doesn’t just happen, but flourishes. District-wide recommendations designed to enhance these partnerships are as follows:

STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Engage artists and studios in partnership with the SID and Discovery District institutions and businesses for selection of opportunity sites and future placemaking Identify public and private funding sources Establish a review and maintenance process for public art installations DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Core: Phase 1B Map “Escaping Elements” Concept Illustrated Discovery Core Diagrams and Renderings

Implementation Matrix

TARGET LOCATIONS Menu of Improvements Matrix Placemaking Opportunity Sites Amalgamated Map Design Brief

51

DISCOVERY CORE THE DISCOVERY TRAIL PHASE 1 71

Phase 1B: Franklin University to Museum Distance: 0.6 miles, 13 minute walk.

About: With four major attractions and destinations, including CCAD, Capital University Law School, and Grant Hospital, the length of this trail connects a high concentration of students, faculty, businesses, employees, and visitors.

te Long Str

et

TO T OP PIIA AR ARY RY PAR PARK P PA AR RK K MU M US SE EUM UM OF O F AR RT T

CR C RIIS ST TO O RE R EY

MO M OT TO OR RIIS ST TS

FIIR FIRS F RS ST CO C ON NG NGRE GR REGA RE EG GA AT TIIO ON NA AL L& SO S OC CIAL CI IA AL L JU US ST TIIC CE E PA ARK AR RK

LIBR LI L IB BR RA AR RY

HIL HI H IL LL LS MA M AR RKET RK KE ET T

CA C AP PIITA TAL T AL U U..

FRAN FR F RA AN NK KL LIIN N U. GR G RA AN NT HO H OS SP PIIT TA AL L

PHASE 1B

treet Town Str

d Avenue Clevelan enue Grant Av

et Oak Stre

CC C CA AD D

reet Broad St

Distance: 0.5 miles, 10 minute walk.

About: With six major attractions and destinations, including The Columbus Museum of Art, Topiary Park, and the Downtown Main Library, the length of this trail connects a high concentration of residents, visitors, employees, and events.

n Ave.

to to Washing

BR B RO OA AD S STRE ST TR RE EE ET T ME M ET THOD TH HODIST OD O DIIST IS ST

et Gay Stre

Phase 1A Pilot Project: Museum to Library via Washington Ave.

PHASE 1A STA ST S TAT ATE A AUTO AU UT TO O

t ing Stree Sprin

The Discovery Core Loop is recommended as the first phase of implementation for the Discovery Trail because of its potential to positively impact a wide range of users in a small amount of space with minimal improvements. The loop creates an artfilled walkable path connecting the Columbus Museum of Art, State Auto, Motorists Insurance, Topiary Park, the Main Library, Grant Hospital, and CCAD. At its intersections with Broad Street, the Discovery Loop has the potential to energize two prominent gateways into the District, helping bridge what participants in this planning process identified as a North-South divide. Phase 1 is recommended to be implemented in two subphases: 1A and 1B. Phase 1A, connecting the Museum to the Library, is recommended as a pilot program that demonstrates the trail’s components in an area with high foot traffic. Phase 1B, connecting CCAD with Grant Hospital, completes the loop and connects all aforementioned institutions.

treet 4th Str

North DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

52

500+

1000+ 200+ 3500

CORE: PHASE 1A

EMPLOYEES

FUTURE RESIDENTS

AVERAGE DAILY VISITORS

RESIDENTS

THE DISCOVERY TRAIL CORE M O TO MO O RI R I ST STS R STS RE E SI S DENT D E NT DE N T IA IAL DE D E VE V E LO L OPM PM P ME EN N T FU UT TU UR RE E PH HA AS SE ES

MO M O TO T O RII S ST TS TS IIN NS SU U RANC RA A NC NCE

treet Broad Str

treet 9th Str

Phase 1A Opportunities:

W

WayямБnding Signage

+ Washington Ave. has the potential to be re-imagined as a walkable artery.

S

District-Themed Sculpture

C

Crosswalk Treatment

M

Mural

+ Variety of public and private entities for potential partnerships in implementation.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

E

Pop-up Event Space (such as Food Trucks)

treet Town Str

S

TO T O PI P AR A Y PA A RK RK

W C R IS CR I S TO ISTO T O R EY EY HII GH H H S CH C H OO OL

ark Library P E ROUTE ALTERNAT

MU US SE E UM M O F A RT OF T

NTIAL RESIDE E 1 S T S I R MOTO PHAS PMENT D E V E LO

BR B R OA O A D ST S TR TR RE EE ET T U N IIT UN TE ED D M E TH ME THO OD D IS ST

W

+ Opportunity sites for all 4 layers of placemaking framework strategies.

C

M

C

C treet Gay Str

C

E

S

et Oak Stre

S T AT ST STAT AT E A U TO AU T

ue ton Aven ingto Washin

M A IN MA N LII BR L B AR RY

W

enue Grant Av

North 53

400

1600+ 1000+

CORE: PHASE 1B

STUDENTS

AVERAGE DAILY PATIENTS

EMPLOYEES

6

LOCAL BUSINESSES

THE DISCOVERY TRAIL CORE W Phase 1B Opportunities:

Avenue

+ Grant Avenue is identified as a Primary Corridor in the Plan Framework section of this document.

MU U SE E UM M OF F AR RT T

+ Length of trail leg contains opportunity sites for all 4 layers of placemaking framework strategies.

E

+ The Completion of Phase 1B closes the loop for a distinct, central core for the Discovery Trail System. t 9th Stree FII RS F RS ST T CO ON NG G RE R E GA G A TI T I ON TION ONAL N AL AL CHU CH H UR U R CH CH

COLU CO O LU U MB MBU US S COL CO LL L EG E G E OF O F A RT T A N D DE AN D E SI S I GN SIGN GN

t 9th Stree

W

Wayfinding Signage

M

Mural

S

District-Themed Sculpture

E

C

Pop-up Event Space (such as Food Trucks)

Crosswalk Treatment

FU U TU TUR RE E SO S O CII A AL L JUS JU STI ST TICE P A RK PA RK

E C C AD CC AD

E ROUTE ALTERNAT

et Oak Stre

C

d Avenue Clevelan

treet Broad Str

M

S

t eet Town Str

treet Gay Str

ton ngto Washin

MA M A IN N LII B BR RA AR RY

C CCA CCAD CC AD D

W

C C AD CC CCAD D

enue Grant Av

C

M

C

C HILL H HI I LL LLS M A RK MA KE ET T

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

E M SE S E RS S

C A PI CA P T TA A L LA AW SC S C HO H O OL L

M S GR G R AN ANT HO H O SP S P IIT T AL AL

North 54

CORE: PHASE 1 “ESCAPING ELEMENTS” ILLUSTRATED TOPIARY GARDEN IS THE DISTRICT’S FIRST DISPLAY OF ESCAPING ART

As mentioned in the Frameword section, the concept of “Escaping Elements” was developed to ensure the Discovery Trail not only has a strong, unifying theme, but also contains the flexibility to be highly customizable.

MUSEUM ARTWORK ESCAPES TO WASHINGTON AVENUE

n Ave.

+ The trailhead begins in Topiary Garden, where characters from the painting “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” by Georges Seurat, have been transformed into topiaries.

d Avenue Clevelan

et

eet Town Str

CHARACTERS FROM TOPIARY PARK ESCAPE TO LIBRARY

et Gay Stre

treet Spring S

Placemaking improvements may vary greatly in implementation from these initial designs. Guidelines for following the “Escaping Elements” concepts are found on page 49.

enue Grant Av

MAIN LIB RARY

+ Crosswalk treatments are derived from the pattern of the floor in the library, another connection. + A mural and crosswalk treatment are derived from the work of Roy Lichtenstein, a graduate from The Ohio State University, who’s work has been featured in the museum.

TOP IARY PARK

Oak Stre

M USEUM OF ART

et

eet Long Str

to Washing

+ The figures from the painting are seen again, having transformed back into art in sculpture or mural, represented in motion on their way back to the museum. + A mural is depicted activating a currently blank facade. The artwork features typography, again combining representative features of the Museum of Art and the Main Library.

LITERATURE/STORIES FROM LIBRARY ESCAPE TO TOPIARY PARK

e Broad Str

In the following pages, the concept is illustrated in diagrams and design concept renderings for the implementation of Phase 1A of the Discovery Trail. The concept elements connect the Museum of Art with the Library and Topiary Park in several ways.

t

4th Stree

North DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

55

DISCOVERY TRAILHEAD DISCOVERY TRAIL CORE – TOPIARY PARK “TRAILHEAD”

GATEWAY SCULPTURE

MURAL DEPICTING MOVEMENT NORTH

TRAIL WAYFINDING

DISTRICT-THEMED SCULPTURE PAINTED DETAILS TO HIGHLIGHT PATH DIRECTION

This Discovery Trail “trailhead” initial design concept shows the Escaping Art trail concept in action. This view is looking out from the massive windows inside the library, a view looked upon by an average of 2,200 visitors per day. Murals and sculptures attract visitors to the library and Topiary Garden to explore. The sculpture in the diagram is a figure from the Seurat painting, also a topiary

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

in the garden, who has returned to a frame and pointed back toward the art museum. Wayfinding signage and a gateway structure mark the Discovery Trail and lead visitors on the three-minute walk to the Museum of Art. Simple improvements, such as painted details, add to the visual appeal and depict movement north, encouraging the community to continue along the path and discover more.

56

OPPORTUNITY SITES DISCOVERY TRAIL CORE PHASE 1A LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY

Improvements within the rightof-way include artistic/painted crosswalks, and intersection treatments that provide gateway features into the neighborhood, such as sculptures and streetscape enhancements.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

LAYER 2: STRUCTURES

Structures can be activated with pop-up retail in existing storefronts, murals along the sides of buildings, and facade treatments to parking garages that add life to formerly blank walls.

LAYER 3: SPACES

The activation of sites near the trail can be temporary in nature, as a partnership between the SID and parking lot landowners. Lowusage timeframes for these lots, such as weekends or holidays, can be transformed into popup food truck halls, markets, or other events.

LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS

Tying the previous 3 layers together, both physically and thematically, is the Discovery Trail itself. Through signage, wayďŹ nding, and placemaking elements, the trail can become a seamless pedestrian connector that showcases both art and the district itself.

57

WASHINGTON AVENUE DISCOVERY TRAIL CORE PHASE 1A WASHINGTON AVENUE LOOKING NORTH - EXISTING

POTENTIAL FACADE TREATMENT VACANT FACADE

POTENTIAL MURAL

EXISTING CROSSINGS DISCOVERY TRAIL

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

POTENTIAL STOREFRONT

58

WASHINGTON AVENUE DISCOVERY TRAIL CORE PHASE 1A WASHINGTON AVENUE LOOKING NORTH - POTENTIAL

GRAPHIC / TYPOGRAPHY INSPIRED MURAL FOR LIBRARY + MUSEUM CONNECTION

OHIO STATE ALUMNI—ROY LICHTENSTEIN INTERPRETIVE PAINTING + DOG ESCAPED FROM TOPIARY

FIGURES ESCAPED FROM THE PARK AND HEADED TO THE MUSEUM

LICHTENSTEIN INTERPRETIVE CROSSWALK TEMPORARY STORE FRONT FOR POP-UP RETAIL

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

59

WASHINGTON AVENUE DISCOVERY TRAIL CORE PHASE 1A WASHINGTON AVENUE AT OAK STREET - EXISTING

POTENTIAL GARAGE FACADE TREATMENT

SIGNATURE INTERSECTION POTENTIAL TEMPORARY ACTIVATION SITE

EXISTING CROSSWALK

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

60

WASHINGTON AVENUE DISCOVERY TRAIL CORE PHASE 1A WASHINGTON AVENUE AT OAK STREET - POTENTIAL

GRAPHIC / TYPOGRAPHY INSPIRED MURAL FOR LIBRARY + MUSEUM CONNECTION

BOOK SPINE MURAL FOR LIBRARY CONNECTION SIGNATURE INTERSECTION TREATMENT AT BROAD

FOOD TRUCK COURT

LIBRARY ENTRANCEWAY FLOOR MOSAIC INTERPRETIVE CROSSWALK

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

61

ORDER OF MAGNITUDE COST COST ESTIMATES AND LIFE EXPECTANCY OF PLACEMAKING OPPORTUNITY RECOMMENDATIONS The following order of magnitude costs provide a guideline for future placemaking interventions in the Discovery District, specifically those introduced in the Discovery Trail. Though the costs for placemaking elements fluctuate in accordance to each individual project, these numbers are intended to be a starting point in determining necessary funding levels and the feasibility of proposals submitted for review.

The costs shown below and in the following page are based upon industry standards, and represent labor and material units only. These cost estimates do not encompass the full cost of any given improvement. Soft costs (such as design work), existing conditions, contingency and inflation are not reflected in these units.

MURALS, SCULPTURE AND WAYFINDING

MURAL: VINYL

MURAL: HAND PAINTED

(PRINTED BANNER OR ADHESIVE)

$2 - $8

$25

PER SQ. FOOT

PER SQ. FOOT

+ $7,000 - $8,000 INSTALLATION

15 YEAR LIFE EXPECTANCY

5 - 7 YEAR LIFE EXPECTANCY

ALUMINUM PANEL SCULPTURE

WAYFINDING SIGNAGE

$1,250 - $1,800

$1,800 - $3,500

PER SCULPTURE

PER SIGN

ARTISTIC CROSSWALK OPTIONS

BRICK CROSSWALK

STAMPED CONCRETE

PAINTED CROSSWALK

EPOXY CROSSWALK

TAPE CROSSWALK

$18 - $22

$12

$0.03 - $0.10

$0.20 - $0.30

$1.50 - $2.65

PER SQ. FOOT

PER SQ. FOOT

PER LINEAR FOOT

PER LINEAR FOOT

PER LINEAR FOOT

50 YEAR LIFE

30 YEAR LIFE

9 - 36 MONTH LIFE

4 YEAR LIFE

3 - 5 YEAR LIFE

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

62

ORDER OF MAGNITUDE COST COST ESTIMATES AND LIFE EXPECTANCY OF PLACEMAKING OPPORTUNITY RECOMMENDATIONS STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS

DECORATIVE MAST ARMS

DECORATIVE PEDESTRIAN-SCALE LIGHTS

DECORATIVE FENCE

BOLLARDS

$5,500 - $6,500

$5,500 - $12,500

$190 - $250

$1,200 - $1,500

EACH

EACH

PER LINEAR FOOT

EACH

STREET TREES

ORNAMENTAL TREES

CURB EXTENSION

$600 - $800

$400

$12,500 - $15,000

EACH

EACH

EACH

CURB EXTENSION COMPONENTS AND SIDEWALKS

CONCRETE PAVING

BRICK PAVING

GRANITE ROADWAY CURB

FLUSH GRANITE BANDS

$8

$20

$100

$175

PER SQ. FOOT

PER SQ. FOOT

PER LINEAR FOOT

PER LINEAR FOOT

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

63

STRATEGY FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION The matrix in the following pages summarizes the recommendations outlined in this document, expanding on each with potential actors and a suggested implementation timeframe. This matrix should be considered a dynamic tool to be further refined and modified by the Discovery SID (DSID) as funding becomes available, or new/unforeseen opportunities alter priorities. As well, new projects that were not considered as part of this plan may be enabled by a fast-paced downtown development market. The recommendations are organized in the following categories: District wide These recommendations are organizational in nature, and meant to enhance the SID’s existing relationships with neighborhood partners, including residents, artists, institutions, and businesses.

The proposed recommendations address funding, partnerships, and a review process for new public art and placemaking interventions in the district.

Layer 1: Right-of-Way Recommendations for placemaking occurring in the right-ofway emphasize pedestrian-scale improvements to the district’s streets and intersections. Identifying primary and secondary corridors ensures that future placemaking happens along streets that district residents and stakeholders have identified as having opportunity. In addition, highlighting intersections creates gateways into the district, and helps bridge a north-south divide along Broad Street.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Layer 2: Structures Recommendations for structures focus on activating inactive, vacant, or underutilized buildings. For blank walls, like those along parking garages, the plan recommends treating these as large canvases for murals or artistic interventions. Underutilized storefronts are recommended to be activated with pop-up retail and other temporary uses, until permanent tenants are found. The success of these recommendations is dependant on strong and lasting partnerships between the SID and building owners, existing businesses, and district institutions.

Layer 3: Spaces Placemaking for spaces is recommended through temporary to semi-permanent improvements to spaces that currently interrupt walkability, such as parking lots and vacant lots. Through artistic screening, pop up events, and community-building programming, these lots can become temporarily transformed into gathering places where the community comes together.

Layer 4: Connections Recommended through this plan is a “Discovery Trail” that combines the concepts explored in the right-of-way, structures, and spaces framework layers. The trail sets a phased approach for implementing these improvements, ensuring that placemaking does not occur in isolation, and is instead part of a larger story.

64

IMPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDATIONS, POTENTIAL ACTORS, AND TIMEFRAME ID

RECOMMENDATIONS

POTENTIAL ACTORS

TIMEFRAME (YEARS)

0 -1 1-3 3-5

5+

DISTRICT -WIDE RECOMMENDATIONS Engage artists and studios in partnership with the SID and Discovery District institutions and businesses for selection of opportunity sites and future placemaking

DSID, local artists, Columbus Museum of Art, CCAD

Immediate

Identify public and private funding sources

DSID, City of Columbus, district institutions

Immediate

Establish a review and maintenance process for public art installations

DSID, City of Columbus, resident associations

Short

LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY 1A

Strengthen Primary and Secondary Corridors to improve the pedestrian experience and develop sreetscape reflective of the Discovery District

DSID, ODOT, City of Columbus

Long

1B

Highlight and improve key intersections as gateways into the neighborhood

DSID, ODOT, City of Columbus

Immediate to Medium

LAYER 2: STRUCTURES 2A

Activate blank facades with arts-focused treatments and installations

DSID, landowners, local artists, resident associations

Immediate

2B

Develop a tenanting strategy for underutilized or vacant storefronts

DSID, landowners, local artists, district institutions

Short

LAYER 3: SPACES 3A

Animate empty spaces through pop-up events, food trucks, and temporary art installations in the short term, DSID, City of Columbus, local artists and as pocket parks, plazas, or infill development in the long term

Immediate

3B

Screen surface parking lots in artful, Discovery District ways

DSID, landowners, local artists

Short

3C

Support community-building events through programming for all ages and backgrounds

DSID, City of Columbus, Friends of Topiary Park, resident associations, local businesses

Immediate

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

65

IMPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDATIONS, POTENTIAL ACTORS, AND TIMEFRAME ID

RECOMMENDATIONS

POTENTIAL ACTORS

TIMEFRAME (YEARS)

0 -1 1-3 3-5

5+

LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS Develop a Discovery Trail system that functions in three primary ways:

Discovery Trail Phase 1A

+ Connecting visitors, workers and residents Discovery Trail Phase 1B with district destinations 4A

+ Showcasing the district’s existing public art, buildings, spaces and Discovery Trail Phase 2 institutions + Acting as an intuitive wayfinding strategy that builds on the district’s identity

Discovery Trail Phase 3

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

DSID, City of Columbus, ODOT, Friends of Topiary Park, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus Museum of Immediate Art, Motorists Insurance, State Auto, other landowners DSID, City of Columbus, ODOT, Columbus Museum of Art, CCAD, Creative Campus, SERS, Capital Law Short School, Grant Hospital, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Gladden Social Justice Park, other landowners DSID, City of Columbus, ODOT, COTA, Columbus State, Franklin University, Kelton House, Thurber House, Franklin Avenue residents, resident associations, other landowners

Medium

DSID, Capital Crossroads SID, City of Columbus, ODOT, COTA, Near East Area Commission, resident associations

Long

66

TARGET LOCATIONS SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY SITES The matrix in the following pages lists all opportunity sites for placemaking in the Discovery District as outlined in the plan. Each site is numbered according to its mention in the plan framework and is accompanied by a menu of the types of improvements that are best suited for that site. A corresponding map shows the location of each site, labeled by the ID found in the matrix.

Each site location The Discovery Trail is designed to be modular, fully customizable and opportunity based. This matrix of opportunity sites and corresponding map are intended to be used to select target sites for implementing the Discovery Trail in partnership with district anchor institutions.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

67

IMPROVEMENTS MENU OPPORTUNITY SITES SUMMARY The following matrix includes all placemaking opportunity sites featured in the plan, organized by framework layer. Each site is identified by its layer number and its corresponding number in the opportunity site maps in the previous pages. The Opportunity sites are organized by details describing their placemaking framework layer, category of ownership, and potential improvements. A corresponding map follows the matrix with each site labeled by layer and ID number.

The ID column is color-coordinated the legend on page 70 to indicate the type of Right-of-Way, Structures, Spaces, and Connections shown on the map.

ID

OPPORTUNITY

FRAMEWORK LAYER

OWNERSHIP

POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS

LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY 1.1

Broad Street primary corridor

Right-Of-Way, Spaces

Public

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding

1.2

Grant Avenue primary corridor

Right-Of-Way, Spaces

Public, Private

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding, Activate Spaces

1.3

Washington Avenue primary corridor

Right-Of-Way, Spaces

Public

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding

1.4

Spring Street secondary corridor

Right-Of-Way, Spaces

Public

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding

1.5

Town Street secondary corridor

Right-Of-Way, Spaces

Public

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding

1.6

Lester Drive secondary corridor

Right-Of-Way, Spaces, Structures

Public

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding

1.7

Broad/Grant opportunity intersection

Right-Of-Way, Structures

Public, Private

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding, Murals On Opportunity Facades

1.8

Broad/Washington opportunity intersection

Right-Of-Way, Structures

Public, Private

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding, Murals On Opportunity Facades

1.9

Grant/Town opportunity intersection

Right-Of-Way, Structures

Public, Private

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding, Murals On Opportunity Facades

1.10

Grant/Main opportunity intersection

Right-Of-Way, Structures

Public, Private

Streetscape, Public Art, Wayfinding, Murals On Opportunity Facades

1.11

Library Park

Right-Of-Way, Structures

Public, Private

Overhead Treatments, Wayfinding

LAYER 2: STRUCTURES 2.1

State Auto Building Facade

Structures: Facade

Private

Mural

2.2

Motorists Parking Garage Facade

Structures: Facade

Private

Mural

2.3

Grant Orange Garage

Structures: Facade

Private

Mural, Architectural Design Improvement, Wayfinding

2.4

Building at Cleveland/Naghten

Structures: Storefront

Private

Mural/Gateway Treatment, Pop-Up Retail

2.5

Long Street Buildings

Structures: Storefront

Private

Mural, Wayfinding, Gateway Treatment

2.6

Seneca Building Storefront

Structures: Storefront

Private

Mural, Pop-Up Retail

2.7

Building at Oak/Washington

Structures: Storefront

Private

Mural Facing South, Mural Facing West, Pop-Up Retail

2.8

German Village Music Haus

Structures: Storefront

Private

Mural, Events

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

68

IMPROVEMENTS MENU OPPORTUNITY SITES SUMMARY ID

OPPORTUNITY

FRAMEWORK LAYER

OWNERSHIP

POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS

LAYER 3: SPACES 3.1

Open Space Near Thurber Park

Spaces

Private

Events. Public Art

3.2

State Auto Lot Broad Street Frontage

Spaces

Private

Events. Public Art, Screening

3.3

Topiary Park Programming Strategy

Spaces

City

Events. Discovery Trail Head Art and Wayfinding

3.4

Lot at Washington/Town

Spaces

Private

Events. Public Art, Screening

3.5

Grant Surface Lot

Spaces

Private

Events. Public Art, Screening

3.6

Grant Open Space Frontage

Spaces

Private

Seating. Wayfinding, Public Art

3.7

Lot by Faith Mission

Spaces

Private

Events. Public Art, Coordinate with Planned Park

LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS 4.1

Discovery Core Loop

Connections: Phase 1

Multiple

Wayfinding, Layer 1 - 3 Treatments

4.2

Thurber Park to Library Leg

Connections: Phase 2

Multiple

Wayfinding, Layer 1 - 3 Treatments

4.3

Columbus State to Franklin University Leg

Connections: Phase 3

Multiple

Wayfinding, Layer 1 - 3 Treatments

4.4

King-Lincoln Connector

Connections: Phase 4

Multiple

Wayfinding, Gateway Treatments

4.5

Olde Town East Connector

Connections: Phase 4

Multiple

Wayfinding, Gateway Treatments

4.6

Fort Hayes Connector

Connections: Phase 4

Multiple

Wayfinding, Gateway Treatments

4.7

Long Street Connector

Connections: Phase 4

Multiple

Wayfinding, Gateway Treatments

4.8

Riverfront Connector

Connections: Phase 4

Multiple

Wayfinding, Gateway Treatments

4.9

German Village Connector

Connections: Phase 4

Multiple

Wayfinding, Gateway Treatments

EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS Potential improvements should draw their inspiration from the Discovery District itself, and be a unique reflection of the district’s character.

Examples are listed on the right:

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Crosswalks/murals deriving patters from distinctive architectural features (ex: stained glass from churches)

Artwork that re-interprets the “Red Gates”

Garage Facades painted with artwork created by CCAD students

Wayfinding that shows historical photography of present location

Sculpture of Topiaries “escaping” from Topiary Park

Sculpture of Thurber’s glasses Art scavenger hunt along Discovery Trail Kinetic art that changes with wind patterns

69

LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY

OPPORTUNITY SITES

LAYER 2: STRUCTURES LAYER 3: SPACES LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS

PLACEMAKING FRAMEWORK COMPOSITE MAP OPPORTUNITY SITES

4.5

71

1.6

rive Lester D

1.5

4.4

4.2 2.1

2.7

1.8

2.2 1.11

treet Broad Str nue land Ave levela Cle 2.5

1.9

eet Town Str

treet

4.8

1.1

4.7

LAYER 2: STRUCTURES Opportunity Facade

LAYER 4: CONNECTIONS Discovery Trail Route

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

t

4th Stree

Mound S

et Gay Stre

LAYER 3: SPACES Opportunity Site

Opportunity Storefront

4.9 1.10

3.6

3.7

Secondary Corridor Opportunity Intersections

enue Grant Av

1.7

LAYER 1: RIGHT-OF-WAY Primary Corridor

2.8

2.3

2.6

1.2

670

4.1

3.5

4.3 2.4

3.3

eet Main Str

4.6

70/71

3.2

1.3

1.4

e on Avenu ngtto Washiin

3.4

rk brary Pa Liib

et g Stre Sprin

eet Long Str

3.1

North 70

IMPLEMENTATION

1

A BO U T TH E D I S C OV E RY S I D

2

PROJECT PARTNERS

DESIGN BRIEF As this plan gets implemented, the SID will have a strengthened relationship with the district’s artists, institutions, and businesses.

These individuals and organizations will seek to build on the Discovery District’s momentum by collaborating on visions and ideas for opportunity sites. As these ideas transition into actual projects, a design review process will benefit both the SID, and the project’s proponents. To ensure success, this process must aim to be transparent, easy to follow, and collaborative. As part of this design review, this plan recommends a Design Brief be used as an application toward receiving funding and/or approval, and as a detailed account of project parameters when soliciting artist to complete projects.

The Design Brief, a sample of which is shown to the right and included in this plan in the appendix, is a 5-page document to be filled by both the SID and the anchor institution it is working in partnership with for the specified project.

About the SID, what makes it unique, placemaking in the district, about the trail

3

Contact, describe your business/entity, what makes your organization unique, existing brand guidelines

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Part 1: About the Discovery SID, provides an overview of the Discovery District, and the general design and placemaking parameters found in the district.

Part 2: Project Partners, asks project partners to provide information about their organization, including any existing brand guidelines, and parameters for representative elements to be featured in the project.

Part 3: About The Project, describes the project parameters in detail, including site considerations and ownership, schedule, and budget, as guidelines for the artists and designers who will create the project.

Project location, ownership information, site selection reasoning, design constraints, audience, measures of success, approval process, schedule, budget

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

71

APPENDIX: ALIGNED PLANNING EFFORTS & CREATIVE BRIEF 72

ADVANCING PLANS ADVANCING & ALIGNING PREVIOUS PLAN EFFORTS It is imperative that placemaking interventions in the Discovery District build on the success of current and recent projects, and align with the goals set by previous planning efforts. These plans suggest where redevelopment in the district is likely to happen, and therefore provide a blueprint for where placemaking can be strategically targeted in order to have the most effect. Though this plan does not fully address improvements outside of the scope of placemaking, such as traffic-calming, streetscape materiality/ fixtures, and transit improvements, it does recommend that any future placemaking be complementary to other efforts underway.

Improvements to Broad Street, a major East-West corridor in this district, are of upmost importance and should be aligned with the Implementation of the Discovery Trail at the intersections with Washington Avenue and Grant Avenue.

Planning efforts in Downtown Columbus and the Discovery District have sought to capitalize on the area’s assets and improve its public realm. The 2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan recommended an improved streetscape on Broad Street that brought back its character as a tree-lined walkable street. The 2010 plan also recognized Topiary Park and the southeast downtown area as ripe for redevelopment. Two subsequent planning efforts, the Southeast Gateway Framework Plan and the Topiary Park Neighborhood Planning, reached similar conclusions and provided illustrative examples of how redevelopment in this section of downtown could occur. Current and recent projects, such as the Creative Campus Gay Street Connector and the CMAX BRT, will provide high-quality improvements to the right-of-way, enhancing walkability in the neighborhood, and reinforcing the Discovery District’s existing activity nodes. Overlap with the Discovery Trail is expected in these areas, and trail implementation should be coordinated so efforts are complementary.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

Topiary Park Neighborhood Planning

2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan

COMBINED GOALS OF DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLANS: Make Broad Street less of a physical divide to the district and downtown.

Improve pedestrian connectivity/environment.

Link activity centers within the District.

Encourage infill of surface parking lots with contributing development.

Provide transit circulation within the district.

Support and encourage neighborhood service retail.

73

ADVANCING PLANS ADVANCING & ALIGNING PREVIOUS PLAN EFFORTS

1 - Broad Street Streetscape

5 - CCAD Framework Plan

2 - Creative Campus Gay Street Connector

6 - 70/71 Innerbelt Project

3 - CMAX Bus Rapid Transit

7 - Southeast Gateway Framework Plan

4 - Columbus State Master Plan

8 - Topiary Park Neighborhood Planning

71

eet Long Str

1

enue Grant Av

8

As seen in the map, much of the Discovery District’s footprint has been subject to previous planning efforts. Campus master planning was completed for both Columbus State and CCAD, with current projects underway. For instance, Columbus State is currently developing plans for a school of culinary and hospitality management and streetscape improvements are being implemented for streets north of Broad. A vision for Broad Street was explored in the 2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, re-imagining this corridor as a walkable tree-lined street. The improvements to 70/71 continue to reshape downtown’s edges, and enhance its connections to nearby neighborhoods.

DISCOVERY DISTRICT PLACEMAKING PLAN

treet

5

t

4th Stree

Mound S

Cleveland Avenue

eet Main Str

670

eet Town Str

et Gay Stre

2

CMAX BRT

70/71

n Avenue

4

3

6

7

to Washing eet Broad Str

Sprin

et g Stre

PLAN ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER GOALS & PLANS

North 74

Creative Design Brief Discovery District Placemaking Plan Project: Date:

Section 1: About the Discovery Special Improvement District Contact Name and Email ....................

Entity Name ..........................................

Discovery Special Improvement District

About the DSID Organization

District Name........................................

Discovery Special Improvement District

What makes the District unique

Placemaking in the Discovery District (plan attached)

About the Discovery District Trail (map attached)

Existing brand guidelines in place ...

No

Yes (attached if yes)

Project Parameters (general, high level overview, see Section 3: Project for full details) May include: Types of Artwork Work within “Escaping Elements” concept Work within “Essence” of Discovery District Location/Proximity to other placemaking elements

Page #

Creative Design Brief Discovery District Placemaking Plan Project: Date:

Section 2: Project Partners Partner # Contact Name and Email ....................

Entity or Business Name ....................

Describe your business/entity

What makes your business/entity unique

Existing brand guidelines in place

No

Yes (attached if yes)

Project parameters from partner perspective (general, high level comments, see Section 3: Project for full details)

Page #

Creative Design Brief Discovery District Placemaking Plan Project: Date:

Section 2: Project Partners Partner # Contact Name and Email ....................

Entity or Business Name ....................

Describe your business/entity

What makes your business/entity unique

Existing brand guidelines in place

No

Yes (attached if yes)

Project parameters from partner perspective (general, high level comments, see Section 3: Project for full details)

Page #

Creative Design Brief Discovery District Placemaking Plan Project: Date:

Section 2: Project Partners Partner # Contact Name and Email ....................

Entity or Business Name ....................

Describe your business/entity

What makes your business/entity unique

Existing brand guidelines in place

No

Yes (attached if yes)

Project parameters from partner perspective (general, high level comments, see Section 3: Project for full details)

Page #

Creative Design Brief Discovery District Placemaking Plan Project: Date:

Section 3: About the Project Project location / address

Ownership information Public or Private Primary contact information: Name Address

Importance of / reason for site selection

Site speciďŹ c design constraints

Page #

Creative Design Brief Discovery District Placemaking Plan Project: Date:

Section 3: About the Project Project parameters May include: Technique/medium Scale/size Orientation of Artwork Color Other limitations/controls

What problem is the project solving

Who is the audience

Concept precedents

Project tone/feeling

How the project partners will measure success

Page #

Creative Design Brief Discovery District Placemaking Plan Project: Date:

Section 3: About the Project Describe the approval process

List all due dates for project

Budget

Managment/Maintenance/Other Notes

Planning and Initial Design ............

$

Approvals and ReďŹ nement ............

$

Construction / Implementation .....

$

Management / Maintenance ..........

$

Total ....................................................

$

Page #