Good morning Columbus. What you need to know — Envision Columbus wants you to sound off; new principal at Smith; you can vote today

Greetings Columbus —

It’s quiz time, Columbus.

Which of the following best describe the main business area of downtown Columbus? Entertaining. Boring. Relaxing. Stressful. Convenient. Safe. Unsafe. (You can pick more than one.)

Which of the following are most needed in the downtown Columbus area? (Pick as many as you like.)

• The renovation of the Crump as an events venue or other community space.
• The construction of an indoor sports facility.
• The construction of a hotel and conference venue.
• Revitalization programs in near-downtown neighborhoods (clean-ups, code enforcement, new housing, etc.)
• An improved People Trail connection between Noblitt and Donner parks.
• A new People Trail along 5th Street connecting Mill Race Park with neighborhoods to the east of downtown.
• A new People Trail connection along the river south of downtown, between Mill Race Park and the Haw Creek Trail.
• The construction of more housing downtown.
• Improvements to the Mill Race Park amphitheater.
• Removal of the existing dam and other improvements to the riverfront.
• More ColumBike bicycle rental locations.
• Changes to 2nd and 3rd Streets that would slow traffic and make walking across these streets easier.
• The renovation and/or expansion of Donner Center.
• None of the above.
• Other.

Envision Columbus, the group trying to figure out the next big steps for downtown, has launched its website. They are focusing on a strategy for these 938 acres in the downtown area —

A big part of their initial effort is to get you to weigh in. They want your ideas, opinions and time, if you are so inclined.

The questions listed above are just three of the asks in a 15-step survey.

You’ll also find an opportunity to write a love letter, break-up letter or both to city leaders. Really, the letters are just ways to get you to think and then share what you like and don’t like and want to see more of in the downtown area.

Casey Voelz, an assistant principal at Parkside Elementary School, will become principal at Smith Elementary, replacing Jay Payne. Wednesday’s Republic.

Beloved choreographer stepping into retirement.
Brian Blair has crafted a lovely feature story about Elizabethtown native Alma Wiley. He writes: People like to believe they can carefully choreograph everything — from what they think to what they do. Alma Wiley humorously surmises that. “We all like to think we’re in control,” said Wiley, who has spent most of the past three decades ploddingly and painstakingly deciding movements for hundreds of dancers. “But my brain is full of madness,” Wiley said at Dancers Studio Inc., which she co-founded and has led as director for 27 years. She laughed easily. Wednesday’s Republic.

Does the early voter get the worm, er, winner?
We are heading to the courthouse today to talk to voters. Today’s the first day you can vote in the May 8 primary. Link here.

Cheers. More beer, wine, food coming to brewery, winery.
Simmons Winery and 450 North Brewing plans a more than $1 million expansion. All the details here.

Today’s Instapic from exhibitcolumbus:  “Modern design has been and continues to be an integral part of Columbus’ community. In its ability to move the modernity of its past forward into a modernity for its future, it offers Docomomo US an example of how design can play a role in preservation and achieve results that can be best called progressive.” — Theodore Prudon, President of Docomomo US (@docomomous). We’re thrilled to partner with Docomomo US to produce the theme of the 2018 National Symposim—Design, Community, and Progressive Preservation. Featuring the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, designed by I.M. Pei in Columbus, Indiana.

Have a great day. Send your story ideas to [email protected].