The City of Columbus has created the website for Columbus 2012, which is the citywide improvement project that Mayor Coleman touched on in the State of the City address this past spring.  Not much on the website yet, but you can start sending suggestions.  Some general timelines on the project is noted.

 

www.columbus2012.org

City counting down to 2012 bicentennial

Monday,  July 23, 2007 - 3:36 PM

By Robert Vitale, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Columbus kicked off planning this afternoon for its 200th birthday, a celebration Mayor Michael B. Coleman said will follow a 4½-year effort to improve virtually every aspect of life in the city. 

 

At a news conference outside City Hall, Coleman named 31 members of a newly created 2012 Commission, which will host meetings in every part of Columbus before issuing a bicentennial blueprint next May.

 

City officials then plan to ask voters to approve a bond package in November 2008 to fund the projects aimed at improving neighborhoods, transportation, safety and other areas by the 2012 bicentennial.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2007/07/23/bicentennial.html

200 years young

January 24, 2008

By Brittany Kress, Columbus Alive

 

Columbus will be 200 years old in 2012, but it will hardly be past its prime.  Instead, city officials hope it will be a well-oiled machine.  Local leaders are in the driver's seat, but — unlike most behind the wheel — they want to hear from the backseat drivers.

 

The leaders that form the 2012 Bicentennial Commission are inviting everyone who's just been along for the ride to a Citizen Summit next week to get their suggested goals for 2012 and beyond.

 

READ MORE:  http://www.columbusalive.com/?sec=upfront&story=alive/2008/0124/u-unedited.html

 

10,000 desires recorded for city

More bicentennial proposals sought

Monday,  January 28, 2008 - 3:09 AM

By Robert Vitale

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

We want bike paths.  We want health care.  We want people to like us.

 

Like kids before Christmas, residents of Columbus have put together quite a wish list for the city in the year since Mayor Michael B. Coleman called for a billion-dollar-plus improvement effort leading up to the 2012 bicentennial.

 

They've shared more than 10,000 ideas online, on paper and on camera.  On Tuesday, Coleman and a commission he appointed to write the bicentennial blueprint will host an everyone's-invited town hall meeting at the Greater Columbus Convention Center to gather more.

 

After all the ideas are distilled into a manageable to-do list, voters will decide in November whether they want to pay for it all through a bond issue likely to top $1 billion.

 

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/01/28/200ideas.ART_ART_01-28-08_B1_MO96C2V.html?sid=101

 

Nice on-the-spot report from Noozer in the Transportation Forum about the 2012 Bicentennial meeting...

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,7751.450.html (reply #475)

 

Quote from Noozer

Re: Downtown Columbus Streetcars

« Reply #475 on: January 31, 2008, 06:15:04 AM »

 

Here's some detail on the numbers and results from the Citizen Summit:

 

Citizens voiced loud and clear the need for transportation choices including light rail. When citizens voted on options for what it is we want most for Columbus, or what will help make Columbus great, or what is it that's holding us back from being great - improved public transportation, transportation options and light rail was voted in equal to or well above other choices.   

 

Even in response to a question on how to preserve/protect the natural environment, "reducing car use" was voted the best way by 44%, with 'recycling' trailing with 26%, 'green technologies' with 25%, 'green spaces' with 8%, and 'protection of waterways' with 4%.

 

On the question of what makes neighborhoods great:  walkability and transit came out on top.

 

On the question of how to improve sporting and recreation, walking and biking trails garnered 33% of the votes. 

 

On the question directly relating to transportation, 'options related to rail' earned 45% of the votes: 'public transportation' 25%, 'improved bus' and 'more bike and pedestrian options' each received 12%, 'education' on transportation issues 5%, and 'information on carpooling' 2%. 

 

Even on a question that had received the most equally balanced responses - (economics and what areas would most help Columbus become competitive): 'investing in downtown' and 'emerging transportation' choices hailed 22% each, 'support small business' garnered 20%, 'factories' (I believe) earned 19% and 'education' earned 18%.

 

The only question that had the response option 'all of the above' was  "what would make the best downtown?"  And, the highest of the individual responses, which held 15%, was 'connect downtown with neighborhoods'.

 

One question was regarding the bicentennial celebration itself:  28% of the citizens felt the bicentennial should celebrate the legacy of the future; while the second and third place suggestions were by  'investing in the arts' (21%) and with a 'large celebration' (18%)

 

Three questions were asked before and at the end of the event (I'm not phrasing them exact since I don't have the questions in front of me). 

I believe the responses I recorded (below) were from the end of the meeting responses:

 

What is the most important aspect of Columbus in it becoming a great city?

17% diversity

17% business growth/job creation

17% public transportation

15% our neighborhoods

13% downtown

  8% arts and culture

  7% education

  4% safety and crime

  2% health care

  1% other

 

What's holding us back from being a great city?

24% transportation issues

21% apathy

19% self esteem

17% public education needs

  6% jobs

  1% other

12% crime

 

What will you treasure most about Columbus now/in 10 years?

29% hometown feel

21% people

19% neighborhoods

11% diversity

  8% low lost of living

  7% historical and cultural resources

  5% OSU

  2% other

 

So a big message was: Invest in transportation and use the bicentennial celebration as a legacy to that commitment.

Reported at columbusretrometro.com:

 

http://columbusretrometro.typepad.com/columbus_retrometro/2008/02/columbus-bicent.html

Columbus Bicentennial Dream It Do It 2012 Neighborhood Meetings

Posted by Paul Bonneville on February 13, 2008

 

Mayor Michael B. Coleman's Dream It Do It Bicentennial 2012 Commission wants to hear from you.  The five meetings listed below are the last chance to give your input on how to make Columbus a leading 21st century city.  It was clear from the Citizen Summit that neighborhoods are critical to the success of this city so come out and tell the 2012 commission:

 

What will make our neighborhoods great?

 

The year 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the City of Columbus.  To prepare for the bicentennial, Mayor Coleman has launched the visioning process “Dream It. Do It.” to enhance the quality of life throughout Columbus.

 

The project is led by the Columbus 2012 Bicentennial Commission which has heard from thousands of residents about what it takes to make Columbus a leading 21st Century city.  Now the City wants to learn about your neighborhood.

 

You can make your voice heard by attending the Neighborhood Meeting closest to you:

 

Northwest Columbus

Tuesday, February 19 (6–8:30pm) Centennial High School (1441 Bethel Road, Columbus, OH 43220)

 

East Columbus

Tuesday, February 19 (6–8:30pm) Eastmoor High School (417 Weyant, Columbus, OH 43227)

 

Northeast Columbus

Thursday, February 21 (6–8:30pm) Mifflin High School (3245 Oak Spring Road, Columbus, OH 43229)

 

South Columbus

Thursday, February 21 (6–8:30pm) Parsons Elementary (3231 Lee Ellen Place, Columbus, OH 43207)

 

West Columbus

Thursday, February 21 (6–8:30pm) West Mound Elementary (2051 West Mound Street, Columbus OH 43204)

 

At the meeting participants will discuss the qualities of great neighborhoods and prioritize these qualities.  Your ideas will influence the Bicentennial Commission’s recommendations to achieve the community’s vision for the future.

 

For more information about the meetings, or to RSVP (preferred but not required) please visit the project website at http://columbus2012.org or call 614-424-6204

 

 

City seeks more ideas to boost neighborhoods

Group wants thoughts, big and small

Saturday,  February 16, 2008 - 6:51 AM

By Mark Ferenchik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

You don't need big ideas to give to Columbus leaders to improve the city in time for its bicentennial in 2012.  They can be small ones, too -- ideas for your neighborhood to improve the lives of the people who live next door to you, play with your kids, shovel your walk. 

 

To that end, the Bicentennial Commission is holding five neighborhood meetings next week: two on Tuesday, at Centennial and Eastmoor high schools; and three on Thursday, at Mifflin High School and Parsons and West Mound elementary schools.  All are from 6 to 8 p.m.  Participants are to talk about the qualities of great neighborhoods and then rank them for the commission to consider.

 

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/02/16/BICENNEIGH.ART_ART_02-16-08_B4_N29CINF.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101

Are there any fellow 2012 Commission members here on UrbanOhio? I'm on the "Image and Marketing" Commission. Very interesting conversations going on about the future of Columbus.

 

Columbus gets blueprint for bicentennial improvements

Business First of Columbus - by Jeff Bell

 

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman received a long list of recommendations Thursday from a commission he appointed to create a blueprint for the city's bicentennial in 2012.  The recommendations said the effort should focus on improving and supporting neighborhoods, downtown Columbus, economic prosperity, transportation and "green" environmental initiatives while creating a culturally rich city.  They also call for embracing Columbus' history and defining a new legacy for the city.

 

No price tag was attached to the recommendations, but Coleman said it will take a joint effort by city government and the business, nonprofit and philanthropic communities to accomplish them.  The commission hopes the blueprint guides parts of a bicentennial bond package that Coleman wants to put before Columbus voters Nov. 4.  City Council is scheduled to consider the bicentennial capital improvements program, which would guide projects through 2013, at its July 7 meeting.

 

Full article at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2008/06/09/daily31.html?jst=b_ln_hl

 

 

 

The full Blueprint for the 2012 Bicentennial can be viewed at http://www.columbus.gov/columbus2012/pdf/Blueprint%20for%20Bicentennial%20final.pdf

 

 

 

kinda silly, i mean yes there should be a celebration, but if columbus wants to use a bicentennial as an excuse to improve itself what the hey that's fine -- in the end that's a good thing regardless. just make ya wonder, would they not do those things if it wasnt tied to the bicentennial?

kinda silly, i mean yes there should be a celebration, but if columbus wants to use a bicentennial as an excuse to improve itself what the hey that's fine -- in the end that's a good thing regardless. just make ya wonder, would they not do those things if it wasnt tied to the bicentennial?

 

I think the answer is yes.  These are things cities should try to promote at any time.  But the upcoming bicentennial is a great opportunity for Columbus to gin up civic pride and get the public (i.e. voters) to rally behind these recommendations.

Downtown projects blooming as city's bicentennial nears

More than a dozen major projects are under way or on the horizon, most planned for completion before the 2012 Columbus bicentennial

BY RACHEL BUCCICONE, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS

Published: Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - 5:02 PM EDT

 

Columbus' bicentennial is a mere three years away, and the city, along with Columbus Downtown Development Corp. and Capitol South, intend to have more than a dozen major construction projects completed in time for the celebration in 2012. 

 

As CDDC and Capitol South CEO and President Guy Worley talked about the changes in the look of many Downtown areas, he could not help but move from his seat to his office window that looks out over that changing landscape.  From his office in the former Lazarus department store, which was redeveloped into 700,000 square feet of office space that's now at 100 percent occupancy, Worley can see the construction of the Lifestyle Community condominiums and apartments on Front Street, a 785-space parking garage at Rich and Front streets, and the new Franklin County Courthouse beyond that.

 

Full article at http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2009/04/09/german_village_gazette/news/gvcoldevel_20090403_0318pm_1.txt

Columbus hopefully won't catch Cincinnati-bicentennial disease. Wherein you peak at the Bicentennial and then proceed to have one of the slowest growing twenty year periods in the city's history in the run-up to the 125th anniversary.

Columbus approaches its bicentennial with projects in the works that will change the face of Downtown for decades

Sunday,  April 12, 2009 - 3:30 AM

By Mike Pramik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

When Guy Worley peers out his office window in the former Lazarus building, he sees Downtown's future.  The chief executive of the Columbus Downtown Development Corp., a nonprofit organization responsible for civic development, has a perfect view of condominiums, apartments and a city-funded parking garage being built in the RiverSouth district.

 

If he looks in the other direction, Worley can see the boarded-up Columbus City Center.  The building that Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman refers to as "the big, white elephant" now symbolizes the city's past, an era it is moving away from with all due speed.  By the time Columbus celebrates its bicentennial in 2012, about $880 million worth of Downtown capital improvements should be well on the way to completion.  Not included in that amount is the makeover of Nationwide Children's Hospital, where $840 million worth of development is in the pipeline.

 

Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/04/12/Downtown_future.ART_ART_04-12-09_D1_2RDGF7G.html?sid=101

Here's a graphic of the downtown projects included with the above article (linked below):

 

Columbus approaches its bicentennial with projects in the works that will change the face of Downtown for decades

 

City's bicentennial will be a look ahead, mayor says

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

By Robert Vitale

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Black-and-white photos from the past won't be the focus of Columbus' 2012 bicentennial celebration, Mayor Michael B. Coleman said yesterday.  Instead, as he re-launched a planning effort put on hold during last year's budget crisis, Coleman and leaders of the celebration said they want economic development to be the city's 200th-birthday gift to its residents.

 

Yesterday's re-launch listed as bicentennial efforts many projects already in the works, including the Scioto Mile riverfront makeover, the Columbus Commons park on the former City Center mall site, and expansions at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Columbus Museum of Art.  It included others not yet begun: Columbus' portion of a proposed rail line linking the city with Cleveland and Cincinnati, Coleman's goal to boost the city's collection of public art, and a citywide curbside-recycling program.

 

Ty Marsh, the retired Columbus Chamber executive who will lead the bicentennial effort, said the bicentennial also will allow the city to make a pitch to businesses and tourists.

 

Full article: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/22/copy/citys-bicentennial-will-be-a-look-ahead-mayor-says.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

COLUMBUS BICENTENNIAL

Columbus prepares for bicentennial in 2012

Sunday, February 13, 2011

By Doug Caruso, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

When Mayor Michael B. Coleman saw the city’s proposed bicentennial logo last week, he suggested a change.  He liked the way the word COLUMBUS, with the US emphasized in red, indicates unity and a national presence.  But underneath that were dates like those on a tombstone.  “When they put the 1812 to 2012 on it, it seemed to me that was the end,” Coleman said.  “I view 2012, while it is a recognition of our 200 years, it’s also a launching pad for our next 200 years.”

 

For Coleman and organizers, the bicentennial isn’t just a celebration of the past, it’s about boosting the city’s economy into the future.  The logo that Pete McGinty, the president of Fahlgren Advertising, presented to the bicentennial organizing committee on Thursday had dropped the dates in favor of words The Bicentennial.  Coleman wasn’t just being picky with the logo.  He views the bicentennial — and marketing that will continue to use the COLUMBUS part of the logo for years to come — as a way to tell the city’s story to the nation.

 

The year will be broken into three parts, focusing on the past in the first four months, the present through the summer and the future through the end of the year, said Jami Goldstein, a vice president at the arts council.  Many events will tie in, but each segment is to have a signature event:

 

• Planners are working on a birthday bash around Feb. 14, 2012, to celebrate the city’s past, Goldstein said.

 

• Red White & Boom likely will be expanded to two days that summer, with a bigger parade that showcases the city’s neighborhoods.

 

• In the fall, there’s less certainty about a celebration of the city’s future. One option could be College Fest, a celebration set up to introduce the city to students who will be starting classes at Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/02/13/columbus-prepares-for-bicentennial-in-2012.html

Walker Evans published an update over at Columbus Underground on the Columbus Bicentennial efforts for 2012:

 

200Columbus Celebrates Our City in 2012

 

 

Some updates on the 2012 Bicentennial from Columbus Underground.  Also a new website for the 200th anniversary at http://200columbus.com/:

 

200Columbus hitting stride in February with 40+ Events Celebrating Columbus’ Past, Present and Future

 

30+ Ways to Celebrate 200Columbus!

 

For a complete list of list of activities in February, including family events at libraries and recreation centers, special arts programs, historic tours and cultural exhibits, visit 200Columbus.com/birthdayevents.

 

200Columbus The Bicentennial Birthday … a Celebration of the Centuries on Friday, Feb. 10

 

Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

5:45-11:30 p.m.

Battelle Grand Ballroom at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High Street

 

More at:

http://200columbus.com/birthday/

 

More from Experience Columbus:

 

Columbus’ 200th Birthday is Feb. 14!

 

*****************************************

 

And from 614 Magazine:

 

Columbus 200: Born on Valentine's Day

Libraries usher in city's bicentennial with free cake, fun

All Columbus Metropolitan Library branches are planning 200th anniversary parties for Saturday, Feb. 11

By AMANDA AMSEL, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS

Published: Monday, February 6, 2012 - 3:00 PM EST

 

In honor of Columbus' 200th birthday, the Columbus Metropolitan Library is celebrating with parties in the city's honor.  All branches of the library will host birthday parties to mark the city's bicentennial.

 

"The parties will celebrate the kickoff of the bicentennial," said Kim Snell, media relations director for the Columbus Metropolitan Library.  "We will have a birthday cake, some decorations and some other items that commemorate this special occasion."

 

The parties will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at all 21 branches of the library.  Each branch will receive a cake donated by the Friends of the Library.  The group, which provides resources to the library, will fund the parties.

 

MORE: http://www.snponline.com/articles/2012/02/06/the_booster/news/boallcmlpa_20120203_0236pm_1.txt

Artists’ inFORMAL Continues Bicentennial Weekend Celebration

 

The 200Columbus celebrations continue this weekend with the Artists’ inFORMAL event taking place at the Cultural Arts Center tonight.  Local artists and arts supporters are invited to help celebrate Columbus artists past and present.

 

The Artists’ inFORMAL is free to attend, and takes place tonight from 7pm to 10pm at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center, located at 139 West Main Street, Downtown.  The event includes complimentary food, drinks and parking.

 

MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/artists-informal-continues-bicentennial-weekend-celebration

 

Today is the official 200th anniversary of the founding of Columbus.  WOSU-TV will broadcast its next installment of its wonderful Columbus Neighborhoods series tonight at 8PM.  For the 200th anniversary, WOSU will focus on Downtown and Franklinton - which was founded before Columbus in 1797.

 

Another event marking the Columbus 200th anniversary date is the opening of a new Columbus Historical Society space at COSI.  Below are two reports about this.  One is a Dispatch article from last month that looks at what the Columbus Historical Society will be showcasing in their new space at COSI.  The second is an article at Columbus Underground that looks at the history of the historical society and what CHS will be doing at COSI.

 

 

Columbus Dispatch: COSI making room for local historical society - Columbus’ bicentennial will be focus of initial exhibits in expanded space

 

Columbus Underground: History Lesson: Columbus Historical Society Unveils New Space at COSI and Continues Columbus’ Bicentennial Celebration