Taking it to the street
Expect more events to be held in downtown Columbus in the near future.
The Columbus Board of Works recently approved a request by the Columbus Area Visitors’ Center to close Fourth Street on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 10 p.m. from April 2 through Nov. 6.
The one-year pilot program will facilitate numerous 2021 Ethnic Expo events as well as open up the street to foot traffic on non-event weekends.
This isn’t the first time officials have done this, as they also closed the street last summer at the onset of the pandemic to allow visitors to safely gather outdoors
It makes sense to close the street down on the weekends, as it promotes supporting local businesses. And who knows? Maybe a new beloved community tradition will be created thanks to the changes.
Worth the wait
If there’s one virtue that the pandemic has forced us to abide by, it’s patience.
While restrictions are loosening as COVID-19 vaccines become more widely available, continued patience is needed as it pertains to the opening of the Hope Town Square.
The square has been closed since last July after as an extensive $437,500 renovation was completed. Originally, local leaders anticipated it being open this spring.
Instead of an April opening, most of the town council recently indicated they prefer to wait to open the square to ensure newly-sown areas of the park remain off-limits to allow new grass to grow and strengthen. The town is also waiting on the park’s new benches to arrive to be put in place.
Right now, the town council plans on have it at least partially open by May 15 for the popular Smoke on the Square fundraiser.
The council is right to hold off on reopening the park at this time.
Celebrating all cultures
In Columbus, people of all backgrounds and beliefs should feel welcome in the community.
The city council recently supported that notion, as it amended local code to allow residents to use fireworks between the hours of 6 and 10 p.m. the day before, the day of, and the day after Diwali, which is the Hindu festival of lights.
Previously, the city only allowed residents to use consumer fireworks during dates and times allowed by state statute. City council had approved a resolution allowing consumer fireworks on Nov. 13-15 in response to residents’ requests, but that action only pertained to those specific dates and times in the given year.
The council did its residents right by amending the ordinance. Diversity is one of Columbus’ greatest strengths, and it’s important that the city continue to listen to the needs of all its residents.
