The Capital Line is a transformative investment in Downtown Columbus, designed to create a more vibrant, walkable, and connected Gay Street district. By enhancing the public realm and improving the pedestrian experience, the project will help draw more visitors, increase visibility for businesses, and encourage people to spend more time in the area.

While the project and construction teams are making every effort to minimize the impacts of construction, ensuring pedestrians have access throughout the transformation of Gay Street, we also recognize that construction can present real challenges for the businesses that make this corridor unique.

To help bridge that gap, this rent support grant program was created to provide direct financial support to first-floor storefront businesses along Gay Street with rent expenses during construction. The goal is to ensure businesses can remain open, resilient and well-positioned to benefit from the long-term impact of the Capital Line.

Councilmember Nicholas J. Bankston has spearheaded this effort to provide a one-time grant to help cover eligible business expenses, supporting businesses through construction and setting them up for continued success once the project is complete.