Downtown Columbus, Ohio
Downtown Columbus | ||
---|---|---|
City Columbus | | |
Population (2019)[1] | ||
• Total | 9,270 | |
Website | downtowncolumbus |
Downtown Columbus is the
The state capitol, the
Downtown has many neighborhoods or districts, but it can be separated into three main areas: the
Almost 90,000 people are employed downtown, and more than 33,000 students attend school at one of the many institutions of higher education located there.[2] As of 2022, Downtown is home to about 11,200 residents.[1]
History
The city of Columbus began development in 1812[3] with the purpose of being the state's new capital. Originally laid out by Lucas Sullivant as the town of Franklinton, the original settlement lay west of the Scioto River. However, Sullivant laid out plans to expand east of the river for what is now downtown Columbus.[4] Development began quickly and by 1814 significant buildings included a penitentiary, the first school, the statehouse, the first newspaper, and the first church. By 1816, Columbus was incorporated as an official town, and in 1824 Columbus became the official seat of the county and elected its first mayor, John Brooks, in 1834 after being elevated to "city" status.[5] The city of Columbus has spread out and around from the original 10 acres (4.0 ha; 0.040 km2) plot surrounding the Statehouse, making downtown the literal center of the city. Another pivotal element of downtown Columbus is the Scioto River, which snakes directly through downtown. The downtown of Columbus has changed roles since its founding, going from a government center, to an industrial and commercial center, to what it currently is as the major commercial hub of central Ohio.[6] The first modern skyscraper to adorn downtown Columbus' skyline is LeVeque Tower, built in 1927.[7] Many other high rises and skyscrapers have been added since the LeVeque Tower, fitting a variety of uses from commercial to residential.
Urban renewal
In the early 1950s, major cities began revitalization projects of slums and blighted areas in their communities. Assisted by federal and state funding, these were intended to clear major slums in an effort to revitalize that area for the overall welfare of the city. In January 1952, the Department of Development for the city of Columbus began commissioning task forces in an effort for urban renewal in the blighted areas. The efforts of these task forces are evident in numerous older communities and districts, including Market Mohawk and German Village.[8]
Geography
Columbus' location was chosen based on its central location within the state of Ohio along with the confluence of the
Arena District
The Arena District sits on the northwest side of downtown Columbus, with its borders roughly being
Discovery District
The Discovery District is the eastern district of downtown Columbus. Interstate 670 borders it to the North while Interstate 71, Fulton Street, and Fifth Street borders it to the East, South, and West, respectively. Within the Discovery District are buildings of culture, art, design, and education. The Columbus Metropolitan Library's Main Library and the Columbus Museum of Art are both located within the district. Also, there are numerous educational options within this district. Columbus State Community College is a two-year associates-degree institution located in the Discovery District with an enrollment of just under 25,000 students.[14] Also located in the district are the Columbus College of Art and Design, which was founded in 1879 as the Columbus Art School and enrolls roughly 1,300 students,[15][16] and the Capital University Law School. The ABA-accredited law school is a branch of Capital University in Bexley, Ohio.[17] Within the Discovery District is The Discovery Special Improvement District. The goal of this private-sector corporation, that encompasses a 37 square block area, is to improve the safety and image for the Discovery District neighborhood.[18]
River South District
The River South District is the southwest area of downtown Columbus along the Scioto River that is surrounded by Town Street to the North, Mound Street to the South, The Scioto River to the West, and Wall Street to the East. One of the main attractions of the River South District is a 7 acres (2.8 ha; 0.028 km2) green space called Columbus Commons. Columbus Commons was built over the former site of City Center Mall in 2010 and includes within it the outdoor venue Bicentennial Pavilion.[19] Another area of interest is the Scioto Mile which is a network of parks and trails that follow the riverfront of the Scioto River. Attractions along the Scioto Mile include Bicentennial Park and the River South Art Walk.[20]
Uptown District
The Uptown District, also known as the High Street Corridor, runs along High Street from Town Street in the south to the Greater Columbus Convention Center in the North. The Ohio Statehouse resides in the Uptown District, as well as a series of bars and restaurants to the north along Park Street. The Uptown District is also home to the Ohio Theatre, the Palace Theatre, and the Trinity Episcopal Church. LeVeque Tower, Columbus' first skyscraper, also resides in the Uptown District, west of the Ohio Statehouse and on the banks of the Scioto River.
Miranova Place District
Miranova Place is located within the southwestern corner of downtown. It is bordered by the Scioto River to the north and west, Interstate 70 to the south, and South Civic Center Drive to the east.[21] Within it lies two major features, the Miranova Condominiums and the Miranova Corporate Tower. The condominiums are a 26-floor residential unit, finished in 2000.[22] The Miranova Corporate Tower is a 12-floor corporate office space that was finished in 2001.[23] The buildings designs reflect a modern architecture meant to serve as a bookend for downtown before it reached the Scioto River and I-70.[24] The buildings are owned by developer Ron Pizutti, and serve currently as his headquarters.
Market-Mohawk District
The Market-Mohawk District is located in the southeastern section of downtown and is bordered to the north irregularly by Chapel, Town, and Main Streets, Livingston Avenue to the South, South Parsons Avenue to the East, and to the west South Third Street. The Market-Mohawk District was originally a residential area of single family homes that became a mixed-land-use area as the city grew. With the unprecedented growth, Market-Mohawk became overpopulated and grew into what city officials considered a slum.
Today the district is still home to Franklin University and the Market-Mohawk apartment building, the
The Market-Mohawk Center was listed on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.[28] The brick and concrete building was built in 1970 in the New Formalist style. The period-specific building was listed as it reflects the time and trend of urban redevelopment.[27]
Park Street District
Park Street District, including the North Market Historic District, sits in the northernmost part of downtown Columbus. Sitting just north of the Arena District, it is bounded by Goodale Avenue to the north, Vine Street to the south, high street to the east, and Neil Avenue to the west. The area retains numerous physical characteristics from the early twentieth century when it served as a wholesale and manufacturing focal point just north of the Columbus Union Station. In 1980, revitalization focused on becoming an exciting area, restaurant, and entertainment center. It features North Market, the only continued market of the four originals in Columbus.[29] Numerous restaurants and bars extend off of Park Street, as well as offices and retail options in the area. Its name is derived from the Park Street that dissects the district.[30]
Fort Hayes
The
Civic Center
The Civic Center is part of the central hub of the city, encapsulating the homes of the city government. It is bounded to the north by Long Street, to the south by Broad Street, the east by Front Street, and the Scioto River to the west. Home to numerous city government buildings, the unprecedented growth of Columbus lead to a much needed expansion of the cities civic center. The city began renting office spaces, and started to plan for additions to increase the multitude of work spaces. The site encompasses 5.75 acres (2.33 ha; 0.0233 km2) of land in the western part of downtown. The space there is home to numerous important infrastructures, including
Demographics
According to the 2019 estimates there are a total of 18,660 people living in the 43215 zip code (which includes the downtown area as well as East Franklinton), up 46% from the 2010 census.[34]
Structures and landmarks
Ohio Statehouse
The construction of The Ohio Statehouse began in 1839 and would end in 1861. The building was designed in the Greek-Revival style by a group of architects, the most prominent of whom was Ohio-born Nathan B. Kelley. The Statehouse was built largely using Columbus Limestone taken from the banks of the Scioto River. The Statehouse was declared a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior.[35]
Ohio Judicial Center
Now known as the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, the Ohio State Office Building was built in 1933 and has housed several departments of government throughout the years. Since 2004 it has been the location of the Ohio Supreme Court. The building is located on Front Street and features several murals, bronze plaques, and statues which depict the history of Ohio.[36]
Scioto Mile
Columbus's main riverfront parks are collectively known as the Scioto Mile. The nine parks along the Scioto River connect parts of the Scioto Greenway Trail with downtown.[37]
The Scioto Mile's main west bank park, Genoa Park, is a 2.07 acres (0.84 ha; 0.0084 km2) park located on Broad Street. Features include a riverfront amphitheater that holds events and concerts, Greenway Trail access, and a walking trail. The park is also in close proximity to the science entertainment center known as COSI. The Park opened in 1999 and is also home to the Columbus Police Memorial.[38]
The McFerson Commons, in the Arena District, is a 2.21 acres (0.89 ha; 0.0089 km2) park that was developed after the demolition of the Ohio State Penitentiary. The park is named after the Nationwide Insurance CEO from 1992 to 2000, Dimon R. McFerson. The focal point of the park is the arch that was recovered from the Columbus Union Station after its demolition in 1979.[39]
Historic districts
Downtown Columbus has numerous historic districts, some on the
Economy
There are several large businesses and organizations that operate out of downtown Columbus. Companies such as
Entertainment
Downtown Columbus has a wide range of entertainment options to choose from, ranging from bars, restaurants, sporting events, concerts, and even theaters. Outside of the concert venues such as Nationwide Arena and the LC Pavilion in the Arena District, downtown Columbus is home to the
Infrastructure
Transportation
The main form of public transportation is the
Food access
Downtown Columbus lacks a major commercial grocery store. Food insecurity is high for Downtown, rated as one of five zip codes with very low food security in Columbus.[42] The Hills Market, an independent grocery for local and organic foods, is the only grocery in Downtown Columbus.[43]
References
- ^ a b Ferenchek, Mark (February 23, 2022). "Downtown Columbus population now more than 11,000, but will office market rebound?". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ Newpoff, Laura (December 16, 2013). "Who brings the most people into downtown Columbus?". Columbus Business First. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
- ^ Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, Downtown Columbus, Inc., p. 15
- ^ History of Columbus Archived May 11, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Touring Ohio. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
- ^ Columbus, Ohio. Ohio History Central. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
- ^ Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, Downtown Columbus, Inc., p. 17
- ^ Carrie Ghose (July 7, 2008). "Will Columbus ever get another skyscraper?". Columbus Business First. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
- ^ Colwell, W. A.; Phelan, Patrick (1964). A Brief Explanation of the Program of Urban Renewal. Columbus, Ohio: City Hall Annex.
- ^ "Columbus: Geography and Climate". Columbus: Geography and Climate. Advameg, Inc., 2009. Web. 2 December 2014.
- ^ "Interstate 70." AAroads Interstate Guide. Retrieved May 25, 2015
- ^ "Arena Information: Quick Facts". Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
- ^ Huntington Park Archived December 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Downtown Columbus. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ a b Lifestyle Communities Pavilion. Promowest. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ "Fast Facts". Columbus State Community College. CSCC, n.d. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ Accreditation & Affiliation. CCAD. n.d. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ Columbus College of Art & Design. Ohio History Central. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ "Our History". Capital University Law School. n.d. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ "Discovery District." :: Discovery Special Improvement District. Discovery District Development Corp., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.
- ^ "History". Columbus Commons. n.d. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ "The Scioto Mile" Archived 2015-12-26 at the Wayback Machine. Scioto Mile River Front Park – Downtown Columbus Events and Activities. N.p., n.d. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ "Tax Increment Finance Areas" (PDF). Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ "Miranova Condominiums". SkyscraperPage.com. Skyscraper Source Media. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ "Miranova Corporate Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Skyscraper Source Media. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ Snyder, Jack. "City Center Land May Be Sold". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ Jacobson, Alver H (1954). Blight Survey of the Market Mohawk Area. Columbus, Ohio: Urban Redevelopment Authority.
- ^ Plan for Downtown Columbus, City of Columbus Department of Development, June 1978
- ^ a b c "Columbus Register of Historic Properties Registration Form". City of Columbus. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
- ^ The Arena District, A Neighborhood 170 Years in the Making. Columbus, Ohio: Nationwide Realty Investors. 2006.
- ^ Carver, Lin (1982). 1. North Market Area Redevelopment Opportunities. Columbus, Ohio: Department of Development.
- ^ a b Henderson, Andrew (2002). Forgotten Columbus. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing.
- ^ Fort Hayes History. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2012, from Our History
- ^ Columbus Civic Center. Columbus Ohio: Downtown Action Committee. 1974.
- ^ Columbus, OH 43215 ZIP Code Profile Retrieved August 11, 2019
- ^ The Ohio Statehouse. Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
- ^ "A History of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center". The Supreme Court of Ohio & The Ohio Judicial System. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ "FAQ | Downtown Columbus Park Rules & Information". Scioto Mile. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
- ^ "Genoa Park and Riverfront Amphitheater" Archived December 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. The Scioto Mile. City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014. <>.
- ^ McFerson Park. City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
- ^ "About the Dispatch." Dispatch.com. The Columbus Dispatch, n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2014.
- ^ Columbus Metro Bike Map.
- ^ "Study Says Food Insecurity in Columbus Much Worse Than Previously Thought". 5 February 2018.
- ^ "More than 20 Canton homes without power".
External links
- Downtown Columbus, Ohio travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Official website