Michael Stevens is the director of the Columbus Department of Development.
Across the country, downtowns are navigating one of the most significant shifts in the modern economy: how and where people work.
The pandemic accelerated trends that were already changing the role of the traditional office experience in our cities, and Downtown Columbus is adjusting, evolving and growing in response.
Some have recently suggested that Downtown Columbus is without a clear strategy.
The opposite is true.
Downtown’s successes have been buried
In 2022, the city of Columbus and Downtown Columbus, Inc., partnered with thousands of residents, business leaders and community members to create the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, a long-term roadmap for achieving a more connected, inclusive and livable downtown. This plan is driving real action and, more importantly, measurable results.
First, it is important to note that much of the recent conversation has been shaped by the latest “State of Downtown” report, produced by the Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts.
Ironically, while the report itself highlights substantial momentum in key areas — like welcoming more residents, attracting more visitors and advancing billions of dollars in new investments — those successes have been largely buried in recent coverage.
This has resulted in a misleading narrative that overlooks the meaningful progress that is well underway.
We know, however, that specific challenges remain.
We take Downtown’s office vacancy rate seriously. That is why the city and Downtown Columbus, Inc. are actively reviewing and strengthening our programming and policies to better support office-to-residential conversions as well as unlock the value and viability of older buildings.
Downtown has also seen several office relocations and expansions, including Columbus Water and Power’s upcoming move to 37 West Broad Street, Rev1 Ventures’ expansion to the Peninsula early next year, and IBP and Edward Companies’ plans to move their headquarters into Preston Centre. Combined, these deals mean that more than 800 employees will be moving Downtown over the next 12 months.
At the same time, major employers — like AEP, Huntington, Nationwide and the State of Ohio — are bringing employees back to their Downtown offices.
Ultimately, the future of Downtown Columbus is not defined by a single challenge or statistic. It is defined by the people who live here, work here, visit here and invest here. It is defined by the partnerships that power our progress.
And it is shaped by our shared commitment to build a downtown that works for more people, at more times of day and in more ways than ever before.
We are proud of the work that has been done, and we are even more excited about what lies ahead.
Michael Stevens is the director of the Columbus Department of Development.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Downtown Columbus is doing better than headlines make it seem | Opinion
Reporting by Michael Stevens / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
