Work on further development of the downtown riverfront in Columbus continues after the city council gave its initial approval for the city’s Redevelopment Commission to spend nearly half-a-million dollars to create design development plans, largely for the area between the Second and Third Street bridges. Heather Pope, the city’s director of redevelopment, explains that the past four administrations have talked about developing the riverfront, but work began in earnest by the redevelopment commission in January of 2017.
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Pope says that it was made clear that the community view riverfront development as an important part of improving the quality of life for residents of Columbus.
Pope explains that the plan calls for the removal of the low-head dam and the addition of other amenities.
Money for the project would come from revenue in the city’s tax increment financing district — a portion of property taxes paid by owners in the district that are scooped up by the commission for development.
City Council members approved the ordinance unanimously. It is scheduled to come before the council for final approval on March 20th.