Downtown Columbus is everyone’s neighborhood, and safety is the foundation of a thriving urban core that is welcoming and accessible to all. When people feel secure walking our streets, patronizing our businesses, and enjoying our public spaces, Downtown flourishes.
Services provided by Special Improvement Districts (SIDs) play a crucial role in ensuring Downtown Columbus is clean and safe — especially as our resident, visitor and worker populations grow.
The services provided by the Special Improvement Districts are transitioning to be managed by Downtown Columbus, Inc. (DCI). The transition will be complete by the end of the year.
Throughout the transition, services will continue without interruption. The same trusted ambassadors, security teams, and homeless outreach coordinators that have served Downtown for years will continue providing the essential services that help keep Downtown clean and safe.
SID services that help keep Downtown clean and safe are provided by companies that contract with the Capital Crossroads and Discovery District SIDs. Services in both districts will continue. Safer Downtown, an initiative led by Downtown Columbus, Inc., will manage these contracts in the future.
This transition is underway and will be completed by November 1 2025.
You will not experience any lapse in services during the transition process.
Managed by Downtown Columbus, Inc., Safer Downtown is driven by a coalition of public and private sector partners to ensure Downtown Columbus remains safe as it grows.
Launched in 2024, Safer Downtown has led the continued expansion of a network of Downtown security cameras and opened the Safer Downtown Command Center to monitor camera feeds 24/7. Safer Downtown partners meet regularly to share safety updates, review data and advance Downtown safety improvements.
As part of its work, Safer Downtown will now also oversee the administration and coordination of SID services across both Downtown SID districts, ensuring seamless integration of safety and cleanliness operations throughout Downtown Columbus.
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. DCI has led successful development projects and initiatives for nearly 20 years, and the organization drives the development and progress of the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan.
Just a few examples of DCI’s current work include oversight of the Capital Line development, management of Columbus Commons and numerous downtown events, and leadership of Safer Downtown.
DCI is the only organization in the Columbus Region exclusively focused on ensuring the vitality of Downtown Columbus.
DCI brings over 15 years of proven experience managing security and cleanliness services across Downtown, including major venues like Columbus Commons, Scioto Mile, and the Peninsula, as well as hundreds of events. This extensive operational expertise has already demonstrated success through the Safer Downtown initiative.
Beyond direct SID services, DCI provides significant added value to Safer Downtown and properties within SID boundaries through resources funded independently of SID assessments. These include:
This comprehensive approach ensures property owners receive not only the core SID services they pay for, but also benefit from DCI’s broader Downtown-focused resources and organizational capacity at no additional cost.
As Downtown grows to accommodate 40,000 residents and 120,000 workers by 2040, we need a unified and comprehensive approach to ensure downtown safety, cleanliness, and homeless outreach.
The integration of SID services into Safer Downtown within DCI allows for more cost-effective and efficient service delivery.
There will not be a formal assessment in 2026. Funding for that year will be provided by voluntary contributions from participating property owners and the City of Columbus.
We will engage property owners this fall to discuss and shape the new assessment structure that will begin in 2027, with a focus on funding clean and safe initiatives.
As a part of this process, DCI is committed to seeking cost savings wherever possible.
SID assessment dollars are used exclusively for services within SID boundaries.
The Capital Crossroads SID assessment funds:
The Discovery District SID assessment funds:
Properties within SID boundaries also benefit from DCI-provided resources at no additional cost, including:
Service levels will remain the same or improve.
The current boundaries of the SIDs will remain the same, with potential opportunities to expand the boundaries by including additional properties that could benefit from and contribute to services.
No. The decision to discontinue offering C-Pass after December 31, 2025, was made by the SID in December 2024. This change is unrelated to the current transition of SID services. Contact Aslyne Rodriguez, Senior Director of Community Relations and Strategic Partnerships at COTA, at [email protected] with questions about transit programs.
Service continuity is our top priority. If you experience any service issues during the transition, please call the Safer Downtown Command Center at 614-227-3788. We are committed to seamless service delivery.
Call Robin Davis, executive director, Safer Downtown at 614-787-2703 with questions about the transition or future assessments.
Call the Safer Downtown Command Center at 614-227-3788 for help with SID services.
We are working to expand services to include customer service and wayfinding assistance provided by ambassadors at no additional cost.
Call Robin Davis at 614-787-2703 with questions about the transition or future assessments.
Call the Safer Downtown Command Center at 614-227-3788 for help with SID services.
Downtown Columbus Inc. is a private, non-profit development corporation with a mission to lead city-changing projects in the heart of Ohio’s capital city. Downtown Columbus Inc. was created in 2002 to implement the Downtown Strategic Plan.
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