Scioto Mile

Imagine thousands of visitors and locals enjoying a grand promenade and a stunning, fountain-laden park, café and stone-paved plaza outfitted with free Wi-Fi.

That’s the dream behind the Scioto Mile, a signature riverfront park that will be located in the heart of downtown Columbus. Stretching from the Arena District to Whittier Peninsula, Scioto Mile is an extraordinary park designed for everyday use and enjoyment.

The Plan
Construction is set to begin in 2008 with completion in late 2011 — just in time for the City’s bicentennial celebration in 2012.

When completed, Scioto Mile will connect downtown with the Scioto River, creating a green corridor and completely transforming the area along Civic Center Drive from Broad Street through Bicentennial Park.

As part of the project, Civic Center Drive will be narrowed to two lanes from four, as well as converted from one-way traffic to two-way in an effort to make the Promenade safer and more accessible to visitors.

The Promenade
The grand Promenade will stretch along Civic Center Drive from Broad Street to Rich Street, connecting Battelle and Bicentennial Parks. The historic balustrade will be restored to its original condition and a continuous stone bench will be installed along a four foot-wide linear water canal featuring a series of water jets designed to animate the water’s surface.

A stone colonnade with swinging benches, traditional park benches, and card and chess tables will add both beauty and function to the space.

In the center of the Promenade will be a stunning plaza area with plenty of seating and an interactive water feature. The entire area will be designated a free Wi-Fi zone, offering a little work and a little play every day.

The Park
As part of the Scioto Mile initiative, Bicentennial Park also will undergo a renovation of its own. The signature piece for the Park will be a stunning 15,000-square-foot water feature with water halos and multiple fountains of varying heights.

In addition, the Park will receive a permanent stage/band shell constructed with a reflective metal exterior and wood interior to enhance sound acoustics. A glass-etched café restaurant with outdoor terrace dining overlooking the Park will serve as an architectural icon along the Riverfront.

The Partnerships
The $38 million investment in the Scioto Mile project is an unprecedented, 50/50 partnership between the public and private sectors.

Of course, the development of Scioto Mile would be impossible without the generous support and funding of many corporate and community sponsors including:

American Electric Power 

City of Columbus 

Franklin County Board of Commissioners
Battelle
Huntington Bancshares 

Nationwide Insurance 

State of Ohio 

Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation
Columbia Gas 

The Columbus Foundation 
Limited Brands
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company 

Anonymous Donors 

Crane Family Foundation 

Grange Insurance 

Ingram-White Castle Foundation

NetJets, Inc.
JP Morgan Chase 

Bowen Engineering Corporation 

Cardinal Health
Joseph A. Jeffrey Endowment Fund of The Columbus Foundation
New Albany Company

Industrial Contractors 

Sun Technical Services

For more information, visit the Scioto Mile Web site.