Is Cbus the new Amsterdam? Two-mile urban pathway planned for Downtown
First, Ohio legalizes weed, and now, Columbus’ downtown could transition to a pedestrian and biking paradise. Are we turning into our own little Amsterdam?!
In a gigantic step towards a more pedestrian friendly Downtown, The City of Columbus, Edwards Companies, and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation announced today their plans for a new “urban pathway” through the heart of Downtown Columbus, called The Capital Line.
The Capital Line will be centered around pedestrians and biking, with paths lined by greenspaces, new small businesses, and residential neighborhoods, according to the press release.
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The renderings are reminiscent of the large plazas you’d see in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Rome, and would essentially be the first of its kind in Columbus. Similar projects in other American cities have spurred hundreds of millions in additional development along their pathways, like The Belt in Atlanta, and The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which generated an economic impact of $1 billion.
The planned two-mile route offers direct access to Gay Street, the Broad Street Bridge, the Peninsula, Belle Street, Rich Street, Fourth Street, the Scioto Mile Riverfront, COSI, plus other vibrant attractions and areas of Downtown. Check out the map below.
This city center will also feature public art, street furniture, special lighting, and curated landscaping.
“As so many Columbus success stories are, this is a project made possible by public-private partnership,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “I’m especially proud of how this is being done in direct response to resident feedback. The Capital Line will enhance equity and community pride, providing a safe way to walk or bike through our Downtown and an easily accessible connection to transit.”
The project will be sequenced over the next several years, starting construction and design on Gay Street in 2025. The design team will be selected this spring.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our city – I say that not only as a developer, but as a Downtown resident,” said Jeff Edwards, CEO of Edwards Companies. “Connecting the energy of Gay Street to other Downtown areas will elevate not only Columbus’ existing assets, but it will spur the development of new ones on the pathway in between, including a curated set of art and experiences that identify and celebrate Columbus’ history. The Capital Line will be a destination in and of itself.”
As our city continues to grow exponentially, it’s exciting to see pedestrians and small businesses kept in mind. After all, Shakespeare said it best: “What is the city but the people?”
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