A presentation detailing the findings of the city of Columbus’ first housing study in 12 years is being pushed back a bit in order to allow time to fine-tune some things, city officials said.
Omaha-based consultant RDG Planning & Design was tentatively scheduled to present to the community on Aug. 27, but will now do so sometime in September, Director of Community Development Robin Hilber said.
Although the study is mostly done, according to Hilber, the city has asked the firm to write an executive summary of the study, which spans more than 100 pages. City officials had also asked the firm to demonstrate strategies for implementing their findings seen in comparable cities.
The project is being led by the city’s community development and planning departments, which hired RDG in November. The Columbus Redevelopment Commission voted in July of 2023 to authorize up to $150,000 to fund the study.
City officials have stressed the study is just a step in the process of addressing the city’s housing concerns, laying a foundation for what types of housing the city may pursue in the future. The study could also serve as a road map to be given to potential developers and be used in grant applications.
The study began with the firm looking at things like census data, multiple listing service data and building statistics.
With the gathered input, RDG will develop strategies to address where the data demonstrates there is the most need, city officials have said.
RDG held a well-attended open house at city hall for the study near the end of March and three surveys have been commissioned to gather input. RDG has also organized a number of smaller input sessions, city officials said previously.
One survey was open to the public and had received at least 500 submissions, Hilber said in April. There were also surveys geared specifically for landlords and another workforce study which employers provided to their employees.
RDG has done similar studies in Iowa, Kansas, Bloomington, and the greater Lafayette region.
