Columbus Metropolitan Club, Columbus Urban Growth Corporation, Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Ohio Arts Council

With a daytime working population of more than 90,000 people, with an abundance of available land and buildings, and with a cooperative city government that has made urban living a priority, downtown Columbus has all the ingredients for a renaissance in city living.

A recent study shows there is real demand for downtown residential opportunities in Columbus, for apartments, condominiums and townhouses, for renters and for owner-occupants. The key will be to identify and deal with obstacles to development of residential properties to serve that demand, and to induce the private sector to undertake the needed projects. Land or building acquisition problems, code and zoning problems, financing problems, parking problems and others can be disincentives. At the same time, downtown residential projects are being undertaken, sometimes only one or two units at a time, sometimes more.

The private sector is beginning to appreciate the opportunities for downtown residential development. The Columbus Landmarks Foundation, for example, has promoted new and rehabilitated residential units, and members of the development community are starting to join the trend. Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman has put the city's resources to work to encourage further residential development, creating incentives such as assistance in exploring how Article 34 of the building code can make it easier to re-use buildings for housing. The mayor has stated the city's case clearly: "A great city cares about its downtown. Downtown is every neighborhood's neighborhood and the engine that drives the economic success of the entire region. The checkerboard of our downtown contains as many vacant storefronts and surface parking lots as thriving businesses and restaurants. The key to making our downtown vibrant and alive is downtown living. Then commercial, retail and entertainment options will follow."

Next: Make Downtown Convenient, Safe and Livable