Explanation
BACKGROUND: The 2022 Downtown Strategic Plan concepts were prepared by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) and covers the entire Downtown area (I-670 on the north, I-70/71 on the east and south, and the railroad tracks west of the Scioto Peninsula on the west). When complete, the 2022 Downtown Strategic Plan will be an update to and will supersede the 2010 Downtown Strategic Plan. The planning process included data collection and analysis, consensus through community participation, and plan preparation. Internal outreach occurred in concert with a series of public workshops to seek input, gather comments and share the draft document, which will chart the course for the future of Downtown’s priorities.
Emergency action is requested to support the recommendations of the plan.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
Title
A Resolution to accept the 2022 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan concepts as a guide for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements within the boundaries of Downtown Columbus; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan is intended to serve as a vision for future public and private investments in the Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) guided the development of the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan concepts; and
WHEREAS, the CDDC and the City undertook a comprehensive public engagement process that included more than 1,900 community members engaged to-date, including 120 meetings with a variety of Downtown and community stakeholders, including City leaders, elected officials, CDDC Board, community organizations such as the NAACP and the Equity Now Coalition, more than 1,110 online survey respondents and 333 online activity participants; and
WHEREAS, three public workshops were held, with more than 340 people in attendance; and
WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan concepts address equity and inclusion goals, affordable housing strategies, urban mobility suggestions, continued neighborhood development, creating a thriving place to work in a post-COVID environment, and other community priorities; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan will be an update to and supersedes the 2010 Downtown Strategic Plan;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to support the recommendations of the plan; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the 2022 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan concepts are hereby accepted to inform development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements in the boundaries of Downtown.
Section 2. That all City of Columbus departments and divisions are hereby authorized and directed to consult the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan concepts in initiating or reviewing projects within the planning area or adjacent areas and require that such projects generally conform to the plan.
Section 3. That the Department of Development is directed to monitor the use of the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, and to present to City Council any amendments necessary to keep the plan up-to-date.
Section 4. That copies of the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan shall be kept on file in the Department of Development, Planning and Economic Development Divisions, and at the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation.
Section 5. That this resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.