Exciting News!
The Riverfront Project has received our IDNR permit and will be filing with IDEM and USACE yet this year.
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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 have worked with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife to review the plans and recommendations for redevelopment of a tremendous community asset. Those plans made a priority of protecting our environment, ensuring safety in all aspects, being fiscally responsible and continuing Columbus' history and legacy of architectural quality and innovation throughout all design aspects.
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Please note that we have also presented the proposed improvements to representatives of Congressmen Pence and Governor Holcomb, who support the many benefits of the Riverfront project. We will make updates to this website to keep you informed as the project moves forward.
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?
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
"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
"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
"Communities across Indiana and the US are looking to their riverfronts as assets for spurring economic growth. Riverfront development is increasingly seen as means of attracting dollars and activity to underutilized areas. Columbus is poised to join the growing number of cities investing in downtown waterways as means of shaping development, enhancing livability, increasing property values, and promoting health and fitness."
- Karen Niverson
Executive Director
Columbus Indiana Area Visitors Center
"The Columbus Riverfront Project attempts to give all those that visit the river those opportunities: to watch, interact and be near the river. Cities across the nation understand the importance of waterfront development and the City of Columbus is beginning to understand the importance as well."
- Tony Moravec
"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.
White River,
Indiana
Project Team:
Mayor Jim Lienhoop
Director of Redevelopment Heather Pope
Columbus Redevelopment Commission
Sarah Cannon, President
Al Roszczyk, Vice President
Don Trapp, Secretary
Kyle Hendricks
Kenny Whipker
Stan Gamso
Jeff Caldwell, BCSC Representative
Columbus
City Council
Tom Dell, President
Jerone Wood
Elaine Hilber
David Bush
Frank Miller
Tim Shuffett
Grace Kestler, At-Large
