Rebirth of Arts District slated during High Street makeover

Columbus is pumping loads of money into a plan that will improving High St. and with it, the Arts District.

The $25 million project is called the High Street Streetscape Improvements Project and it will widen sidewalks, beef up street landscape, and upgrade lighting among other things. The main objective is to improve safety and walkability. The improvements will span from Vine St. to Ninth Ave.

As part of this, the city is implementing a separate arts plan to beautify the project. Whoever is hired in this role will have a budget of an additional $420,000 with which they will “creatively shape an art vision for the project area by identifying locations and approaches for integrated and site specific artworks.” The focus for this project will be anchored between Goodale St. and Ninth Ave.

Proposals for the art aspect of the project are due May 31. Once a selection is made, they will have until November to come up with a plan.

A few of the stakeholders involved in this project include The Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Greater Columbus Convention Center and the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, and The Short North Alliance.

“The public art plan will allow for the Short North community to come together and share ideas for how we can more openly and visibly showcase art and artists in our public spaces,” said Betsy Pandora, Executive Director of the Short North Alliance.

The Request for Proposal created the by City of Columbus is 15 pages long and is full of more information about this plan. Check it out here.

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