Latest rendering of future Bicentennial park.

A mountainous backdrop defines Denver. Historical monuments define Washington. In that same powerful way, the Scioto Mile will soon define Columbus. Its size is formidable, and the project’s purpose has the power to reach well beyond the Mile’s visual impact.

Good news: the 2011 debut of the Scioto Mile has never been closer.

Knuckle Down: Funding Commitments
t’s true that the best things in life are free. The Scioto Mile is shaping up to be a beautiful downtown oasis where visitors can take the opportunity to enjoy the public park, or reflect on the beauty of its surroundings.

In more pragmatic terms, building the oasis itself requires funding. As of December, commitments to the Scioto Mile totaled $43 million. Nearly $38 million was pledged in 2007, followed by well over $5 million more in 2008.

This impressive collection of funds reflects the cooperation and commitment of both the public and private sectors. The American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation and the City of Columbus kicked off the campaign, each pledging $10 million. From there, the momentum continued, as 28 more public and private entities pledged generous donations.

As the project moves into its future of public service, the Scioto Mile Endowment Fund (created through The Columbus Foundation) will fund its maintenance and development. It’s the ongoing financial support of our community that will preserve the park for the next generation. Every little bit counts – today, tomorrow and 100 years from now.

Buckle Down: Groundwork Commitment
It’s a filthy job, but every big construction project starts by digging in the dirt. April 14, 2008 marked the groundbreaking of the Scioto Mile, and unusually cold temperatures. In spite of the bitter breeze, the community came out en mass to support the project. Leaders from American Electric Power (AEP), the City of Columbus and Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) joined partners from the business community and elected officials for the celebratory ceremony.

The community support has continued through Phase I of the construction: road construction. In May of 2008, Civic Center Drive was reduced to one lane of traffic as it converts to a two-way thoroughfare. When it re-opens this summer, it’ll be a completely new street with a whole new attitude. Gone are the days of panicked lane changes and rabid road rage. Its park-side position redefines Civic Center Drive as a scenic route that will soon bear trees, planters, new sidewalks, and on-street parking.

Build It UP
And now in 2009, the process of real creation begins.

As a foundation, we celebrate the city’s past. Too often, the remarkable accomplishments of prior generations are abandoned. Starting early this year, restoration will begin on the historic carved limestone balustrade. It was originally built as part of a floodwall project in the 1920s, but the Scioto Mile will see it restored to its original condition.

From the balustrade to the Promenade . . . this summer the Promenade will take shape as the central unifying component of the Scioto Mile. As a green corridor, it will reclaim the space harvested from the narrowing of Civic Center Drive.

Plans include:

• A canal with water jets to animate the water surface and a continuous stone bench for visitors to sit and dip their feet in the water
• Swinging benches and park benches built into a copper-roofed colonnade
• A street-sized pedestrian pathway
• A six-foot-wide planter with large deciduous shade trees and seasonal flowers
• An additional water feature will crown the centerpiece of the Promenade’s Plaza
• And yes, free outdoor riverfront wi-fi

The popular John W. Galbreath Bicentennial Park will undergo renovations of its own when it closes this summer for the transformation.

• A 15,000 sq. ft. programmable water fountain that can form any imaginable shape with several pools
• Opportunities for kid-friendly interactive water play during the summer
• A central pool with a towering jet of water with special effect lighting for both day and night viewing
• A permanent band shell with a reflective metal exterior and a wood interior to enhance acoustics
• Food is a must in comfortable Columbus; a glass-enclosed café restaurant with outdoor terrace dining will be added – an architectural icon with a view

WATCH IT GO AND GROW . . .
The countdown to the Scioto Mile’s debut is now available online at SciotoMile.com. Our Web site contains project timelines, descriptions of the project elements, future concepts, progress reports, a list of current sponsors, news, and information on how to contribute.

There’s also a chance to participate: a blog and feedback tool allows for the readers to connect with staff about the project and the progress being made.

To accompany the site, CDDC began sending quarterly electronic project updates to stakeholders, leaders, elected officials, project staff, and all who want to be updated on the Scioto Mile. Anyone can sign up for these updates at SciotoMile.com.

Darren Meyer, Project Manager for MSI Design.

The vision for the new-and-improved downtown riverfront didn’t occur overnight. A team of talented planners and designers created the beautiful renderings of what we can expect in 2011 – and Darren Meyer has yet to put the pencil down.

Meyer is a project manager for MSI Design, the company hired by Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) to design the new Scioto Mile. In collaboration with MSI Design project principals and stakeholders, Meyer sets the design direction for the project including the development of initial ideas and design details. In addition, he collaborates with the public, stakeholders, the ownership team, the construction team, sub-consultants, and vendors to keep the project moving forward to a timely and successful completion.

The initial design phase of the Scioto Mile project is underway, which includes the narrowing of Civic Center Drive from four lanes in one direction to a pedestrian-friendly, two-way city street. Upcoming phases will include restoring the historic masonry balustrade and floodwall that form the river’s edge, followed by construction of all the beautification features of the project, such as the café, band shell, park, promenade, and fountains. Renovations are scheduled to be completed in 2011, in time for the city’s bicentennial.

“The process of design is much larger than sitting at a desk preparing illustrations or construction drawings,” said Meyer. “Large public projects have many moving parts and require the designer to wear many different hats. These moving parts and different hats are the source of nearly all of the stress during the project, and all of the satisfaction afterward. The design process involves great faith on the part of the project participants, navigating years of design and construction to move from a project on paper to a park that everyone can enjoy. Strong ideas, clearly communicated, provide the thread that holds the project together.”

According to Meyer, his day-to-day activities focus on being the point person for the work of 18 design and engineering consultants on the project. It also includes conveying these design ideas to the project owners and public, and translating these design ideas into documents that the construction team can bid and build.

“MSI has brought creativity, experience and progressive planning to this project,” said Edward Mendelson, director of construction services, CDDC. “Darren exemplifies MSI’s hard work and has shown nothing but the utmost commitment to seeing the project through to completion.”

Meyer graduated from Ball State University with a degree in landscape architecture. A resident of Columbus and member of the MSI Design team since 1999, he has worked on many projects, including the design of public spaces for the Battelle Memorial Institute, the City of Akron and the Columbus College of Art & Design. Meyer likes to spend time with his wife and son, and also enjoys traveling. That is when he can get away from the design table.