IN PROGRESS

The Riverfront Project has received our IDNR permit and is working with

IDEM and USACE for permitting.

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.

The City has received a permit from the IDNR and the design team is currently working with the USACE and IDEM to obtain the final permits needed to construct the project.

In August, 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!

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.

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 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?

CLICK HERE to view the latest presentation 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

"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

Precedents

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.