City, AEP contributions provide welcome jump start for Scioto Mile.

EDITORIAL
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

A partnership between City Hall and one of Columbus’ premier corporate citizens produced great news last week: a start toward a link in Downtown’s necklace of riverfront parks.

The city and American Electric Power each have pledged $10 million to create the Scioto Mile, a promenade from Broad Street to Rich Street.

Mayor Michael B. Coleman revealed the park idea as part of a Downtown plan announced in 2002, but a lackluster economy and tight city budgets left the plan on the shelf.

Now that the city has some room in the capital budget, the Scioto Mile is an excellent choice for support.

Civic Center Drive long has been Downtown’s home for popular riverfront events, including the Columbus Arts Festival and Jazz & Rib Fest. Transforming the street by lining it with a 30-footwide walkway and trees, dotted with sculptures and wetlands, will enhance those experiences.

Adding restaurants and other amenities could bring new life to the riverfront from Battelle to Bicentennial parks in the times between special events.

Although the city and AEP pledges will provide enough money to get started, backers of the project aren’t done fundraising. Even with $2.2 million in federal money and $1 million from the state, they need $15 million more to meet the project’s $38.2 million cost.

AEP and any other corporate donors who sign on will be making an outstanding investment in Columbus’ quality of life.