Local residents will begin narrowing down choices for the city’s new strategic plan at the next Envision Columbus meeting.
The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington St., and is expected to last about two hours.
Earlier this spring, in a previous meeting led by DAVID RUBIN Land Collective of Philadelphia, residents voted for their preferences of what they would like to see in Columbus in the areas of connectivity, activation, resiliency, livability, recreation and culture.
At the April meeting, participants voted for their top three choices, whether it be for more recreational activities, more public performance opportunities or a hotel conference center downtown, among others.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Individuals who attend Wednesday’s meeting will be asked to prioritize their choices, which will be used to develop the plan, said Jon Van Wagoner, project manager with the firm.
The plan encompasses a geographical area bounded by 22nd Street on the north, the Flatrock and the East Fork White rivers on the west, the confluence of the East Fork White River and Haw Creek on the south and California Street on the east.
Van Wagoner said DAVID RUBIN Land Collective will present a summary of an online survey that has already generated 1,400 responses.
“Many people are interested in increased opportunities for performances and other programs,” Van Wagoner said.
There is also a desire for a grocery store or market close to downtown and an increased trail connection to the existing People Trail system, Van Wagoner said. Feedback has also indicated that people would like to see more and different recreational opportunities, he said.
Those who attend Wednesday’s meeting may be asked for specifics about their preferences, Van Wagoner said. That might involve those who want more entertainment or public performances talking about what types of programming they want to see, he said.
A new survey will be developed following the meeting based on what the firm has heard so far, Van Wagoner said.
Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop said Wednesday’s meeting is a chance for the public to provide feedback on future planning for the city.
Envision Columbus will replace the city’s 2005 strategic plan, which was known as Vision 20/20.
“Part of what we want to do is freshen the plan to reflect current desires and that’s what we’re about now with Envision Columbus,” Lienhoop said. “I’m hopeful that we get a good crowd and get some good dialogue,” he said.
Focus groups made up of business leaders and young professionals in Columbus have met with city officials to get a better sense of what they would like to see, said Tracy Souza, president and CEO of the Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.
Among the priorities coming out of those discussions have been suggestions to make downtown Columbus more livable for young professionals and young families.
Many of the participants have said they wish to live within walking distance of the downtown area, Souza said.
Other ideas from the focus groups include finding a creative and flexible reuse of the now-closed Crump Theater, one of six projects that will be considered during Wednesday’s meeting. Other projects include the possibility of an urban grocery store and a conference center and hotel, uses currently being evaluated by the city to be located in the area of Second and Lafayette streets.
A third public session for Envision Columbus is planned July 9 with a plan expected to be completed Sept. 1.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: Envision Columbus public meeting
Where: Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington St.
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Community engagement numbers” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
An online survey designed to get public feedback to help develop the Columbus Downtown Strategic Development plan has generated 1,400 responses. The current survey will be available until mid-June.
More information: To offer public input toward Envision Columbus, visit envisioncolumbus.org and click on “Be Part of the Vision.”
[sc:pullout-text-end]
