Business owners along State Street hope to see more growth and development after an investment of more than $4 million by the city to revitalize the area.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. today on the Haw Creek bridge to mark the completion of the first two phases of the State Street bridge and corridor project.
Among improvements that have been made so far as part of the broader State Street Revitalization Project are two green spaces, new sidewalks, a multi-use trail and other features.
The city hopes those improvements will result in State Street becoming a more popular destination for residents and visitors while creating additional business growth, said Heather Pope, city redevelopment director.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
The State Street project, launched July 1, 2014, as part of the city’s comprehensive plan, is an attempt to revitalize the area and to better connect the east side of Columbus with downtown, Pope said.
Initial work on the State Street project resulted in improvements being made to the bridge, which now features red railings on both sides, along with red vertical elements that are illuminated at night.
Funding came from the city’s Central Tax Increment Financing District.
Lights have been added to the State Street corridor, with six-foot sidewalks on the south side of the road. A 10-foot, multi-use trail has been added on the north side of the bridge that extends to Maple Street.
“It’s a safe and attractive area,” Pope said. “It’s really to draw people to east Columbus.”
Decorative panels that feature Paul Rand’s whimsical Dancing C’s design, first introduced in Columbus in 1974 and used primarily in the downtown area, were added along State Street.
Pedestrians will also find decorative crosswalks that include different colors of Dancing C’s that were added during the project’s most recent phase.
In addition, two public green spaces at Stadler Drive and at Indiana Avenue and State Street have been installed that feature brick pavers, puzzle benches and landscaping.
The green space at Indiana Avenue will be dedicated June 23 in memory of Sgt. Jonathon Hunter, a 2011 Columbus East High School graduate who was killed while serving in Afghanistan last summer.
Business reaction
Rikki Hege, owner of Salon 1750 east of the bridge, has eagerly watched changes along the State Street corridor take shape.
Hege, who relocated her business to 1750 State St. from National Road last year, said the aesthetic design has created a more welcoming atmosphere that ties in with downtown Columbus.
Like others, she hopes the improvements will attract additional businesses to State Street.
“Everything’s been so cleaned up,” Hege said. “I think it will make it a prosperous side of town again.”
Lilli Fawbush, co-owner of Window World at 1636 State St., also east of the bridge, said improvements made by the city along the State Street corridor may motivate existing business operators to improve their own properties.
Fawbush said she has seen some nearby homes being renovated.
“It makes it more interesting and gives it more pride,” Fawbush said.
What’s next
Preliminary work is underway on Phase 2B of the State Street Revitalization Project, which will link the trail and sidewalk to downtown Columbus. That phase will involve improvements along Third Street onto California Street and up Fifth Street that will connect to Mill Race Park.
No cost estimate or timeline has been established yet for Phase 2B, but engineering plans are currently being developed by United Consulting of Indianapolis. Initial plans for the upcoming phase call for an 8-foot trail on the north side of the Third Street corridor until the intersection of California and Third streets and will then head north on Fifth Street, Pope said.
Landscape architect Rundell Ernstberger Associates is designing plans for the upcoming phase that will involve a look at the entire Fifth Street corridor.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”State Street Revitalization Project” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Phase I
- Improvements to the Haw Creek Bridge, which features red vertical elements that are lit at night.
- Six-foot sidewalks on the south side of State Street and a 10-foot, multi-use trail on the north side of the bridge to Mapleton Street.
- Trees and benches on sides on the north side of the bridge.
Phase 2B
- Decorative Dancing C panels installed along State Street corridor.
- Two public green spaces featuring benches, landscaping and brick pavers.
- Decorative crosswalks with different colors of the Dancing C’s installed at McKinley Avenue, Pence Calla Street, Dahn Street and Indiana Avenue.
- Piano key crosswalks on the south side of State Street at Stadler Drive and Hege Avenue, in addition to Red, Hinman, Beatty and Jones streets.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: State Street bridge and corridor project ribbon-cutting
When: 4 p.m. today
Where: Gateway node on the north side of the bridge
More information: Visit columbus.in.gov/redevelopment/state-street-corridor-project/
[sc:pullout-text-end]
