Capital Line to Create Pedestrian and Bike Connectivity Downtown

Columbus, Ohio – The City of Columbus, Edwards Companies and Downtown Columbus, Inc. today announced plans for the Capital Line, an urban pathway through the heart of Columbus. The Capital Line will be exclusive to pedestrians and bikes and will link amenities, greenspaces, job centers, and residential neighborhoods within Downtown Columbus.

A community-generated suggestion championed in the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, this two-mile journey will offer a direct route to some of the city’s most vibrant attractions, extending from the Gay Street District, over the Broad Street Bridge to The Peninsula, to Belle Street, over the Rich Street Bridge, to Rich Street and along Fourth Street, connecting back with Gay Street.  

Connection points along the route are iconic Columbus attractions, including the “Current” sculpture suspended above Gay and High Streets, the Scioto Mile riverfront, National Veterans Memorial & Museum, Columbus Commons, Ohio Statehouse, The Peninsula, Dorrian Green and COSI. In-progress and future developments on the Capital Line include Preston Centre, Preston Park, Madison White-Haines Building, 195 E. Broad, The Continental Centre, and The Peninsula.

The Capital Line will also be dotted by public art, street furniture, lighting and landscaping to further create an exceptional pedestrian experience.

“As so many Columbus success stories are, this is a project made possible by public-private partnership,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “I’m especially proud of how this is being done in direct response to resident feedback. The Capital Line will enhance equity, providing a safe way to walk or bike through our Downtown, and an easily accessible connection to bus transit.”
 

This project, which will take advantage of existing rights-of-way, will be sequenced over the next several years. The initial section will begin on Gay Street, Downtown’s densest residential neighborhood, with design to occur over the next year and construction to begin in 2025. Conceptual renderings will serve as inspiration as a design team is selected and community outreach takes place.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our city – I say that not only as a developer, but as a resident,” said Jeff Edwards, CEO, Edwards Companies. “Connecting the energy of Gay Street to other Downtown areas will elevate not only Columbus’ existing hotspots, but it will spur the development of new ones on the pathway in between. The Capital Line will be a destination in and of itself.”

Similar projects in other cities have spurred hundreds of millions in additional development along their pathways. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, for example, generated an economic impact of $1 billion.

“The Cap Line is one of the most exciting examples of the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan in action,” said Amy Taylor, president, Downtown Columbus, Inc. “This is the kind of project that is befitting of a great city in a growing region. It embodies our ambition to ensure Downtown is for all.” 

Conceptual renderings are here, courtesy Downtown Columbus, Inc.: https://downtowncolumbus.canto.com/b/IAICE

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About the City of Columbus

The City of Columbus is the 14th largest city in the United States, with a population of 907,865 residents. The Columbus economy is balanced with a combination of education, technology, government, research, insurance, and healthcare entities as major employers within the City. Columbus is nationally known for its booming downtown, historic neighborhoods, arts and sporting districts, open attitude, and a noticeably affordable quality of life. Learn more at new.columbus.gov.

About Downtown Columbus, Inc.

Downtown Columbus, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead city-changing projects and collaborations that improve the connectivity, livability and inclusivity of the Downtown Columbus experience. Downtown Columbus, Inc. drives development and progress of the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, working collaboratively across sectors toward the vision for Downtown Columbus to become a neighborhood of connected, people-first urban districts that can be enjoyed by all. Learn more at downtowncolumbus.com.

About Edwards Companies

Edwards Companies is a Columbus-based, privately held and nationally recognized family-owned corporation that acts as a holding company for numerous operating companies engaged in the businesses of mixed-use urban development, multi-family home building and management, student housing building & management, land development & construction, and condominium development. Learn more at www.edwardscompanies.com.