Help shape the future of the Downtown Entrance Plaza!
The City of Columbus Redevelopment Commission and Columbus Design Institute, with landscape architecture firm Merritt Chase, are seeking your input for the redesign of the Downtown Entrance Plaza.
Today, the prominent Downtown gateway is underutilized and overgrown, but includes important community memorials. The redesign of the Entrance Plaza will create a welcoming downtown park with space to reflect and gather.
Thank you for your feedback earlier this summer. Your ideas have been translated into design options for the space!
Over the last few months community members have provided ideas for the future of the Entrance Plaza during an in-person summer picnic and through an online survey. Your ideas and feedback inspired the project’s goals and three design options. Check out the designs below. Are we missing anything? What do you like about each of the options? What would you change? Share your feedback here.
Project Background
and Context
Design Concept Options
Concept 1:
The River
Reflecting on Columbus’s river ecology, the River Concept takes cues from Bartholomew County’s three rivers and three creeks. The design incorporates water features, natural stone, and meandering paths. This concept includes a large gathering lawn, shaded seating areas, and a reflective memorial plaza.
Concept 2:
The Field
Inspired by Columbus’s agrarian context, the Field Concept incorporates straight linear paths, native grasses and plantings, and strong grids of trees. The grids create distinct areas for a memorial plaza, linear water features, smaller lawns, and smaller plazas.
Concept 3:
The Hill
Taking cues from historic topography, the Hill Concept is inspired by Columbus’s original Mount Tipton. Small hills are connected by a memorial overlook that frames views of the Robert N. Stern Bridge and the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
