(COLUMBUS, JULY 19) – The Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts (SIDs) announced a campaign to welcome the Central Ohio community back downtown. The success of the campaign will be critical to local businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic.
“Our message is simple – Downtown is open!” said Marc Conte, Acting Executive Director of Downtown Columbus Special Improvement Districts. “The center of this great city has always been alive, vibrant and full of hidden surprises. And despite the pandemic, 25 projects worth $221 million were completed in 2020 and another 32 projects valued at $1 billion are under construction. This area is humming again, and we want people to come back to the center of the city to dine, play, explore and rediscover the charms of Downtown Columbus.”
The Welcome Back Downtown campaign hub can be viewed online at https://downtowncolumbus.com/downtownisopen/. Supporters can engage with social media, receive a weekly e-newsletter with business features and specials and watch the “It’s Been a Minute” bi-monthly video series.
The Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts an association of commercial and residential property owners, has been working overtime to get Downtown ready to welcome back employees, residents, and visitors to downtown Columbus.
The SIDs’ mission is to make Downtown the best place in the state to live, work and visit — focusing on safety, cleaning, and beautification, as well as homeless outreach and economic research. SID’s on-the-scene ambassadors patrol the streets, escort people to their cars, give directions and recommendations to tourists, top off overflowing trash cans, pick-up litter, green up the streets with fall and spring planting and provide a reassuring presence in Downtown Columbus.
Among the many events taking place Downtown this summer:
- Picnic with the Pops is performing at Columbus Commons through July 31.
- Fitness classes, sponsored by UnitedHealthcare have returned to Columbus Commons. These popular, no-cost classes will be held on Wednesdays, with Hip Hop at 5:15 p.m. and Yoga at 6:30 p.m.
- The Columbus Museum of Art once again offers BAM Thursdays. Stop by to enjoy amazing art, music, and fresh libations. The event runs from 5-9 p.m. And, on the first Thursday of the month, enjoy a featured live artist from 6-8 p.m.
- The Moonlight Market and the Sunlight Market take place on Gay Street monthly into October, offering food, fun, and entertainment from pop-up vendors, brick and mortar businesses, and entertainers.
- The Pearl Market brings Ohio-fresh produce, farm products and artisan-made goods to Downtown every Friday through Oct. 15.
- CAPA is kicking off its 52nd Summer Movie Series. The series of classic films and cult favorites will run July 22-August 29 at the Ohio Theatre, and feature 21 films.
Aside from special events, Downtown is brimming daily with restaurants, happy hour, coffee shops, parks, art, periodic food truck events, live music at the Columbus Commons, and countless other events.
“Despite growing up on the North side and raising a family in Grandview, I am proud to call myself a downtown business owner and resident,” said Megan Dempsey, owner of Dempsey’s Food & Spirits and The Jury Room Tavern. “I feel as safe as I did living in these other neighborhoods, and the Special Improvement District plays a big part in that feeling of safety, as well as just making downtown an all-around wonderful place to call home. Everything I need is right here, and I’m so excited that my neighborhood is coming back to life.”
The campaign is being funded by the Capital Crossroads & Discovery Special Improvement Districts, the City of Columbus, and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation.
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For More Information, Contact:
Sarah Irvin Clark, 614.296.4057
