Mike Wolanin | The Republic Contractors put paneling on the outside of the Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
Both of Columbus’ mayoral candidates see a need for a new hotel development of some kind in Columbus.
The mayoral race is between City Director of Administration and Community Development Mary Ferdon, a Republican, and bartender Sean Burton, an independent. There is no Democratic candidate in the race.
Early voting for the upcoming municipal election starts Oct. 16. Election Day is Nov. 7.
When asked about her thoughts on the city’s plans for a new hotel conference center, Ferdon said she believes the project is still viable, though she acknowledged that costs have increased greatly post-pandemic.
Since the city and its developer parted ways in May, their goals have been to review the project, see if there’s a less expensive way to do it and re-evaluate the location, she said. For instance, they’re considering whether there may be a better site that is further west.
“We will be looking at it from a lot of different angles,” Ferdon said. “We know that, again, post-COVID — and I hate to continue to keep saying that — but post-COVID that people’s traveling habits have changed. Their buying habits have changed. And so kind of reviewing it from the ground up, the size that we would need, space that we would need, where it should be located.”
When asked for his thoughts, Burton admitted that he hasn’t “done a lot of homework” on this particular project.
“I do think that additional lodging in Columbus is a good thing for the concept of NexusPark,” he said. “…I think there’s a need to look at lodging options if possible — I think NexusPark kind of makes that more of a necessity, whether it’s downtown or wherever in Columbus they decide to develop that.”
NexusPark is a joint effort between the city of Columbus and Columbus Regional Hospital to transform the former FairOaks Mall into a health, wellness and recreation center. The campus is expected to include parks department and community spaces, CRH facilities, restaurant and retail areas, and a fieldhouse.
“I think the idea of that type of facility in Columbus is amazing,” Burton said.
When asked if there was anything he wished had been done differently with the project, he replied that the city has done “a great job.”
However, he feels that they have not been transparent about the total cost, and he noted that it has gotten more expensive over time.
“But as far as the project and the idea they had in mind, no, I think it’s a great partnership between the city and CRH,” Burton said. “And if the facility works as forecasted, it could be a really good thing, and especially for the side of town that it’s on.”
When asked if there was anything she wished had been done differently, Ferdon quipped, “Besides COVID happening?”
“The project, we’ve had great partners with the project,” she continued. “We’ve had great local contractors. So we’ve been really pleased with the ability to work with a lot of individuals and companies who want to see a great outcome. So I think the biggest regret is that right in the middle of this project, we saw material costs and labor shortages happen, which have just increased the cost.”
By the time this occurred, the city was already in the middle of the project, and officials want to ensure that it is done properly, she said.
She also said that they remain excited about how NexusPark is expected to catalyze the surrounding area.
Another long-running city initiative is the proposed “Our River…Our Riverfront” project, which is planned to take place between the Second and Third Street bridges in downtown Columbus. Redevelopment Director Heather Pope said at a recent meeting that the development has been in the works since 2017 and was, at that time, estimated to cost $8.9 million.
“Providing safety and removing physical hazards is a priority for the city,” Ferdon said. “I’ve talked about that a lot. And the safety issues along the river date back several decades, and we need to get them fixed before something preventable happens.”
She added that some of the issues include the failing low-head dam, a former landfill site that is at risk of exposure, bank erosion and a 100-year-old sanitary sewer line.
According to Columbus’ redevelopment department, plans for the project include a multi-use trail, river overlook areas, lighting, removal of the low-head dam, “improvements to increase use of the river for recreational activities,” addressing and preventing erosion, beautification and areas of public art.
While Ferdon expressed support for the trail aspect and connecting people with ways to “enjoy the water,” she said her main priority is the safety piece.
Burton said that while he likes some aspects of the project, he thinks that creating an entire recreational area is “a little bit of an overkill.”
“There’s a few things I personally wouldn’t have done,” he said. “I don’t, I can’t imagine that kayaking in that river will be a high draw, but that’s just me. I could be very wrong. But I think the idea of a nice, well-lit walk with some art installations across the river on the bank would be nice to see downtown.”
He added that he has seen projected revenue for this project and would like to know more about where those numbers are coming from.
When asked what changes he believes are necessary from a safety standpoint, Burton replied that it might be less about changes and more about protocol, so that an action plan is in place when water levels become dangerous.
In regards to other projects he would focus on if elected, Burton said he hopes to look at adding more facilities to help homeless individuals.
“That’s pretty much where my brain’s been the entire time, is what can we do to supplement what we’ve already got and maybe expand on that,” he said.
Ferdon’s priorities include ongoing work with downtown activation.
She also mentioned working with CRH and developers on the future of 690 acres of westside property owned by the hospital. A concept plan for the site — which was recently adopted as an element of the city’s Comprehensive Plan — envisions the area as containing not only a CRH facility, but also new commercial developments, housing and green space.
Sean Burton
Mary Ferdon
