Development of the Mile

The Partnerships That Helped Create the Scioto Mile

The $40+ million investment in Scioto Mile represents an unprecedented partnership between the public and private sectors. Only through the cooperative support and funding of many corporate and community sponsors was this amazing project possible.

History of the Riverfront

Our Supportive Community

The City of Columbus partnered with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) to develop and execute the comprehensive project plan and funding strategy. As project developer for the City, CDDC selected MSI, a Columbus-based landscape architecture firm, as the design professionals for the project and Messer Construction Company as construction manager. American Electric Power served as the project’s corporate leader.

Special thanks to these corporate and community leaders for their contributions and support.



Leadership Gifts

($5-10 million)


  • American Electric Power Foundation (sponsoring the Scioto Mile Fountain in Bicentennial Park)
  • City of Columbus
  • Franklin County Board of Commissioners (sponsoring the Performing Arts Pavilion in Bicentennial Park)
  • The State of Ohio


Benefactor Gifts

($2-5 million)


  • Huntington Bancshares, Inc. (sponsoring the Huntington Plaza on the Scioto Mile)
  • Nationwide Insurance (sponsoring the Nationwide Insurance Colonnade on the Scioto Mile)
  • Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation (sponsoring the Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation Balustrade along the Promenade)
  • U.S. Department of Transportation


Sponsor Gifts

($500,000-$1,000,000)


  • Battelle Memorial Institute
  • Columbia Gas of Ohio (sponsoring the Columbia Gas Gardens in Bicentennial Park)
  • The Columbus Foundation (sponsoring the Robert B. Hurst and James W. Overstreet Endowment Funds of the Columbus Foundation Canal on the Scioto Mile)
  • Limited Brands, Inc.
  • The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (sponsoring the Scotts Miracle-Gro Gardens on the Scioto Mile)
  • Time Warner Cable (sponsoring Free Wireless Internet on the Scioto Mile provided by Time Warner Cable Business Class)


Patron Gifts

($100,000 – $500,000)


  • Crane Family Foundation
  • Deloitte (sponsoring the Leaf Benches in Bicentennial Park)
  • Grange Insurance Companies
  • Ingram-White Castle Foundation
  • The JPMorgan Chase Foundation
  • NetJets, Inc. (sponsoring the NetJets Bicycle Racks on the Scioto Mile)
  • OhioHealth
  • U.S. Department of the Interior

Friend Gifts

(Up to $100,000)


  • Abbott Laboratories
  • Bowen Engineering Corporation
  • Cardinal Health, Inc.
  • Industrial Contractors
  • The Joseph A. Jeffrey Endowment Fund of the Columbus Foundation
  • The New Albany Company
  • Sun Technical Services

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To learn more about how the Scioto Mile came together, contact us today!

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