Carla Clark | For The Republic Officers and the public attend a memorial service for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty at Public Safety Plaza in Columbus, Ind., Friday, May 20, 2022.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission and the Columbus Design Institute, with landscape architecture firm Merritt Chase is inviting the public to a picnic to discuss the Downtown Entrance Plaza redesign project, from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday on Jackson Street.
Organizers are providing information about the project and seeking ideas for the future of the site.
In May, the commission selected Indianapolis and Pittsburgh-based Merritt Chase to redesign the 1.5-acres known at The Downtown Entrance Plaza, consisting of the POW/MIA/Law Enforcement Plaza north of State Road 46 and the Robert D. Garton Veterans Plaza south of the highway.
As a main entry into Columbus, approximately 28,000 vehicles pass by the plaza each day. The space, created in 2000 by world-renowned landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburg and Associates, is in need of upgrades after becoming overgrown and underutilized, according to city officials.
The project would represent “an opportunity to integrate this space into other current or future developments in the area,” redevelopment officials said. Some of those developments include the recently constructed 1821 Bicentennial Trail connecting to the plaza from the south and the future Riverfront Project.
“The project’s goals are to transform the landscape into a more desirable space, collaborate with local partners and adjacent projects, improve key design features and connectivity, and ensure the project’s integrity and universal accessibility,” according to city officials.
In April, the commission had approved $400,000 towards construction and $50,000 towards design fees for the project being led by the Columbus Design Institute, an arm of the Landmark Columbus Foundation.
“We are thrilled to move forward with Merritt Chase and welcome their contribution to Columbus. We are confident they will design a public space that is accessible and memorable to our community and stakeholders,” said Heather Pope, Redevelopment Commission director. “Also, collaborating with Columbus Design Institute on this project has brought forth remarkable design firms from which to choose.”
The project’s next steps include a full site survey, a formal introduction by Merritt Chase at the June Redevelopment Commission meeting, and stakeholder visioning sessions.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the extraordinary design legacy in Columbus, Indiana,” said Chris Merritt of Merritt Chase. “We want to create a vision for the downtown entrance plaza that represents the values of good design that has shaped a commitment to civic excellence in this community.”
