The Plan
ENVISION COLUMBUS is a community-based strategic downtown development plan for Columbus, Indiana.
Download the full plan here: Download
The ENVISION COLUMBUS Downtown Strategic Development Plan will address the traditional commercial area of downtown Columbus, as well as nearby neighborhoods and parks. The 938-acre study area extends from the farmland south of downtown to Donner Park to the north, and from Mill Race and Noblitt Parks on the west to California Street on the east. The plan is an update to the 2005 Downtown Strategic Development Plan, and will establish priorities that will define the downtown area for years to come. ENVISION COLUMBUS Downtown Strategic Development Plan will influence the way residents and visitors alike work, live, shop, and play downtown. It will also strategically study the role and impact of the downtown within the greater community. The plan is intended to result in a downtown that reflects the community’s best attributes and highest ambitions – a downtown that is economically strong, inviting, dynamic, sustainable, attractive, and an appropriate center for a community that is dedicated to excellence and a high quality of life.
Legend
- Townhome Residential Pilot Strategy
- Conference Hotel & Performance Strategy
- Urban Grocer Strategy
- Single Family Residential Strategies
- Donner Park Strategy
- Noblitt Park Improvements
- Mill Race Activation Strategy
- People Trail Connectivity
- Southern Connector Park
- Residential Street / Alley Improvements
- 2nd and 3rd Corridor Improvements
- Jackson Campus Street
- Residential Street / Alley Improvements
1 Townhome Pilot Block
For-sale homes in the “missing middle” price point in Columbus tend to be older and smaller with fewer bedrooms than those in neighboring communities. At the same time, significant landholdings adjacent to the downtown core are underutilized as surface parking. To diversify housing options and provide an attractive model for prospective downtown residents, Envision Columbus has studied whether a missing middle townhome pilot block could densify the near downtown area and increase vibrancy of the urban core.
2 Conference Hotel & Performance - Adaptive Reuse of Crump
Envision Columbus has heard significant demand for activation, performance, and nightlife from downtown residents through public engagement processes. In response to this perceived demand, Landmark Columbus is currently studying the economic and architectural viability of the performing arts in Columbus. Concurrently, potential demand for a conference hotel is being evaluated in a separate planning effort. To leverage these aspirations economically and programmatically, the Envision Columbus team is studying the viability of a flexible, multi-use venue that supports both a conference hotel and performance space with capacity for regional performing arts groups.
3 Urban Grocer
An Urban Grocer has the capacity to increase the vibrancy and density of Downtown Columbus. Envision Columbus imagines this asset situated within the underutilized and vehicular-centric 2nd and 3rd Street corridor and playing a critical role in supporting greater quality of life for downtown and near-downtown residents and employees. The proposed location allows for multi-modal transportation opportunities and promotes access to healthy food while expanding the urban character of Columbus.
Park System - Visioning
Columbus benefits significantly from an extensive park network. Through community engagement processes, Envision Columbus has identified a series of strategies to leverage this asset and increase connectivity, activation, and resiliency within the park network, better serving current and future users. The plan document will outline these key strategies and prospective implementation approaches in conjunction with future development opportunities.
Connectivity System - Visioning
The Envision Columbus plan will include key recommendations for improvements to connectivity systems with consideration for Multi-Modal transit and key re-configurations within the street network to increase pedestrian safety and appeal, reduce congestion and enhance economic development opportunities.
Timeline
The planning process will be successful through frequent collaboration and communication, forming a holistic vision informed by many voices. The six-month process offers opportunities for engagement and collaboration, with three key public meetings.