Planning

The foundation of Campus Partners’ work is the planning documents that were developed by the neighborhood with support from Campus Partners and the City of Columbus.

University District Concept Plan - 1995

One of the first charges for Campus Partners was to develop, along with the community members, a long term vision for the University District to serve as the map for the future and the work of Campus Partners. Campus Partners directed this comprehensive, community-based planning process, which resulted in the University Neighborhoods Revitalization Plan: Concept Document.(72mb PDF)

 More than 90 community and neighborhood organizations, local government, university offices and more than 400 people participated in this planning process. The plan was supported unanimously by The University Area Commission, University Community Business Association, Columbus Development Commission and Columbus Historic Resources Commission. In 1997 Columbus City Council and Ohio State’s Board of Trustees adopted the plan as a “blue print” for action.

The plan offered some 250 recommendations. Four major themes which emerged from the document were:

• Improving rental housing and the quality of life in the predominantly student neighborhoods.
• Increasing the level of homeownership in the University District.
• Revitalizing the retail market serving these neighborhoods.
• Encouraging faculty, staff and student involvement with the neighborhoods through a variety of learning and service activities.

A Plan for High Street Plan - 2000

In mid-1997, Campus Partners, with support from the city, began a High Street Urban Design Project to enhance the urban character of the area's "Main Street" and to encourage a healthy mix of retail and entertainment uses. A broad-based advisory committee oversaw the project. The resulting document, A Plan for High Street: Creating a 21st Century Main Street, was published in the fall of 2000 and included recommendations for a parking authority, special improvement district and traffic circulation improvements. The High Street Urban Design Project also outlined the size and scope of the redevelopment project now known as South Campus Gateway. 

Development & Design Guidelines - 2002

In 2002, Campus Partners published a companion document, the University/High Street Development and Design Guidelines. In mid-2002, Columbus City Council approved both documents as official planning tools for the city and adopted an urban commercial zoning overlay for High Street.

Weinland Park Plan - 2006

Campus Partners assisted the city’s Planning Division and neighborhood civic leaders in an 18-month community-based planning process to prepare the Weinland Park Neighborhood Plan, which was adopted by Columbus City Council in mid-2006. The plan will guide further neighborhood improvements, including the redevelopment of the Columbus Coated Fabrics (CCF) site.

OSU Framework Plan - 2010

The Framework Plan was an initiative of the Ohio State University to guide change on-campus over time. Although it is not a planning process that was led by Campus Partners it includes important information about the future direction of the University.