History of the Riverfront

Throughout the years, improving the Riverfront between the 2nd and 3rd Street bridges has been a community priority due to the safety implications of the existing conditions. Specifically, the Our River… Our Riverfront project addresses several safety components: removal of the failing low head dam, providing a safe pedestrian route, removing barriers to emergency personnel access – to name a few. The project also serves to repair and prevent against further erosion, providing stabilization against what is currently a potential delisted superfund site exposure. Through mitigating preexisting conditions and creating a waterfront attraction, this project is intended to enhance quality of life for Columbus residents, while attracting new visitors to the area.

This has taken shape in many forms and through many administrations. The Stewart Administration recognized the issues with the riverfront and identified trail connectivity barriers through the Focus 2000 Study. Then, the Vision 2020 Plan identified a redeveloped riverfront. Mayor Armstrong worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and a team comprised of Strand and Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf to develop a conceptual design for the riverfront addressing the safety concerns of the failing dam and the trail connectivity. Mayor Brown worked with a consultant United Engineering to develop a conceptual design for an elevated trail to connect the People Trail along the riverfront. Then, the Parks Department hired Blue Marble Design to develop a concept for the trail connection as well. Most recently Mayor Lienhoop engaged Hitchcock Design Group to develop a comprehensive master plan for this area of the riverfront. The Ferdon Administration has begun to imagine a Riverfront Redesign – one that addresses the safety concerns of the failing low head dam and trail connection, but also considers a revised project scope and budget.

Citizens Committee Goals

• 10’-12’ Multi-use trail on the east bank of the river that connects to other pathways and trails in the vicinity.
• River overlook areas
• Low-maintenance materials, including those that will withstand flooding
• Lighting to promote safety
• Removal of low-head dam
• Repair of the erosion on the west bank of the river due to the low head dam and protection of both banks from future erosion

Evolution of the Design

The most recent riverfront design concept was bid in 2024, following a period of value engineering within the permitted project scope. Because bids came in higher than anticipated, a “Riverfront Task Force” was assembled to discuss the future of the Riverfront Project. This team, comprised of community leaders, City Council, Redevelopment and the Administration, ultimately recommended the consideration of scope modifications to bring down project costs.

Specifically, the proposed modifications were related to the removal of the in-river recreation and fish passage rock riffle structures incorporated in the original riverfront concept. This required a significant redesign of the project, prompting revised permitting submissions and a revised design and re-engineering service proposal. Hitchcock Design Group was engaged to redesign the Riverfront in early 2025 and EDCO General Contractors was engaged to begin site preparation for the west bank access. The final iteration of the project will still feature the trail connection located lower along the bank, the amphitheater/gathering space, removal of the dangerous low head dam, bank stabilization, and emergency vehicle access to the river as originally proposed – however, it will no longer feature the in river rock riffle fish passage or recreation component.

Timeline: