Our River…
Our Riverfront

Exciting News!

Indiana DNR Permit
IDEM Permit
US Army Corp. of Engineers Permit
Bid it and Build it!

Project Summary:

During construction, the Riverfront Project will support approximately 89 jobs, infuse $1.6 million dollars into the local economy and create approximately $280,000 in state and local tax revenue.

In 2022, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has determined that the Columbus Riverfront Project (“Our River….Our Riverfront”) is eligible for Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) funding. Funding will be awarded in the amount of $600,000 to support Columbus’ vision to create an iconic riverfront experience that improves safety through connectivity and access, ecology, repair eroding banks, and expand usable greenspace and workforce development efforts.

The IEDC, in conjunction with Ernst and Young, have reviewed the Columbus Riverfront proposal prepared through collaboration between South Central Indiana Talent Region, SIHCDC, Columbus Redevelopment, The Columbus Park Foundation, ARa and additional contributors. We are very excited to receive READI state funding support, which will help drive the riverfront revitalization to come!

Additionally, the City recently received a $1.7 million grant from Next Level Trails to assist with constructing the project and is actively pursuing other grants as well.

We have been diligently working to ensure public input on all plans to refocus attention on our Riverfront. We realize that this is “our” River and that the future of our community will continue to be tied to innovation and creativity. Having a vibrant Riverfront that is developed based upon considerable community and public input is important to the future of Columbus.

We will continue to make updates to this website to keep you informed as the project moves forward.

Check out this great article on our riverfront by aim indiana online publication

Columbus Riverfront

Please take a few minutes to review this short video that outlines plans for
Our River … Our Riverfront Project.

Why do we want to Reimagine our Riverfront?

View the latest presentation on the riverfront

View an Economic Impact Study on the Riverfront

What the Community is Saying

“Our extensive trail network not only is important to the vitality of our community, but it serves as a catalyst to development and environmental preservation which makes our community an attractive place to live, work and play. The Riverfront trail is the missing link in our downtown that is needed to safely connect users to Mill Race Park and the eastern and western segments of the trail network.”
Angela C. Force

“The riverfront trail will give bicyclists and pedestrians improved access and connectivity, between the north side of the city and the downtown area. This project would positively impact all who live and work in Columbus as well as the many visitors who come each year.”
Cindy Frey
President, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

“We are very supportive of the riverfront project because of all the many ways this project will afford more opportunities for area residents to live an active lifestyle.”
Elizabeth S. Morris, LCSW
Director of Community Health Partnerships

“An active riverfront area will add to the allure of our city and will help attract more skilled workers needed to fill future jobs. Most importantly, a redesigned riverfront will give our citizens safe access to a natural resource that is currently underutilized”
Kyle Hendricks

Riverfront Redevelopment in the Midwest

Redeveloped Riverfronts are creating valuable assets and driving economic development for communities across the Midwest. Click on the cities below to see some of the exciting ways communities have revitalized their riverfronts into beautiful parks and greenways that are reconnecting people to their rivers and waterways.

Project Team

Mayor Mary Ferdon

Director of Redevelopment Heather Pope

Columbus Redevelopment Commission

Al Roszcsyk, President
Kyle Hendricks, Vice President
Trena Carter, Secretary
Shannon McDonald, Member
Cynthia Boll, Member
Jason Major, BCSC Liaison
Grace Kestler, City Council Liaison