The (Columbus) Republic
Waterways, and how we regard them, say a lot about a community.
There isn’t a whole lot we can be certain of in this world, but we do know this: the precious natural resource of our rivers and waters were here long before us, and they will continue on as they have for millennia long after we’re gone.
These dynamic, inviting forces of nature are assets that belong to all of us. And we bear responsibility for their condition not only for ourselves, but for future generations who will inherit them.
So it is gratifying that the Columbus Redevelopment Commission last week gave its blessing to spend $11.6 million from the Central Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district on the public good of a riverfront improvement plan that, in varying forms, has been decades in the vision phase.
City Council will consider final approval for this funding Tuesday, Dec. 5. We urge council members to enthusiastically support this project. We believe the community will eagerly embrace what could become a transformational effort not just for the downtown riverfront, but also for Columbus and for our region. Columbus has nothing like this on the river, and we can see it becoming a huge draw for the public.
This public investment represents thoughtful stewardship of vital natural resources, which reflects on how we see ourselves and, to some degree, on how visitors to our community see us. And the bottom line is, this work does not get done without our government writing the biggest check.
The TIF funds that would be used for the project, along with committed state grants and contributions from private and philanthropic donors will fill out the estimated $14 million needed to make this vision a reality.
The proposal would nurture the river by removing a crumbling, outmoded and dangerous low head dam. Along with improving safety and the river’s flow, plans also call for removal of potential exposure to an old landfill along the river, repairing erosion along the banks, and restoring fish habitat and passages.
These are all wins for the natural flow and ecology of the river, but the human environment also would win big.
The plan calls for connections to the People Trail that would offer universal access to the river along with new opportunities for gathering places and in-river recreation.
But that’s not all. Bringing these visions to reality will provide more than 100 construction jobs, and after the work is done, the riverfront improvements will have an estimated annual economic impact of $2 million, according to an economic benefit analysis conducted this month.
To get a really good look at what’s proposed, along with the projected economic benefits, visit columbus.in.gov/redevelopment/riverfront-reimagine-project.
Let us be thankful that our community is looking at the East Fork White River, the defining natural resource in the heart of Columbus, with an ambitious plan for us to leave it better than we found it.
The (Columbus) Republic is a sister newspaper to the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
