The Lazarus Building:

In 2004, the doors closed in The Lazarus Building, as the retail giant moved from its downtown location. Now, those doors have reopened, as work on the renovation of Phase 1 of The Lazarus Building - the most important green project in the City, and the largest in the Midwest - is complete.

"We not only renovated a historic Columbus landmark, we created space for 1,800 jobs downtown in the most significant "Green" building in the Midwest," said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. "Lazarus is going to be a national model, and should receive Gold Level Certification status through the US Green Council's LEED program."

The Rehab project, led by the Georgetown Group and Turner Construction was budgeted for $61.9 million and has come in under budget. The Project includes the construction of the Galleria and the renovation of office space for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Environment (EPA) Protection Agency. The Ohio EPA is completely moved in to the building and ODJFS began moving employees in January, with the expectation to have everyone in the building by April.

"As the new CEO of CDDC/Capitol South, I'm very excited about the opening of the first phase of the Lazarus Building. I see my job as completing the building and getting additional tenants to sign on and move in." said Guy V. Worley, CEO of the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, owner of The Lazarus Building. "As the first project in the RiverSouth district, it's important that we build on this momentum, especially as we move forward with the residential development phase in this area."

More than 50% of all of the materials removed from the facility were recycled, keeping almost 6 million tons out of the local landfill - the equivalent of almost 3,000 cars.

"Mayor Coleman's vision and our goal at Lazarus will not be achieved with the completion of construction, " said Edgar Lampert, Partner with The Georgetown Company, the developer of The Lazarus Building. "Our larger objective is to enable the residents of Columbus to utilize the Lazarus Building as a 'teaching tool' for school children, other real estate professionals, residents. Through displays, exhibits and tours, we hope to share the lessons of Lazarus, which will be useful in their daily personal and professional lives."

The City of Columbus and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation are helping lead the implementation of the Downtown Business Plan with CDDC and local businesses. 2007 will be the fifth year of the 10-year plan to bring new investment, energy and activity to downtown Columbus. There is a new market for downtown housing - with more than 4,200 housing units opened or opening soon, 2,300 new jobs are moving downtown, North Bank Park has opened, AEP's Foundation and the City have committed $10 million each to the Scioto Mile Parks, and private partners are looking at developing acres of surface parking lots into new housing and retail throughout the district.