From: Sheryl Nulph
Columbus
More studies to figure out why our downtown is suffering? Really?
The past two decades have seen over a million dollars spent in studies about our downtown. Housing, parking and retail have all been examined by out of town groups who have a lot to gain financially and little to lose by making recommendations to a community they have no history in or future ties to.
The problems of our downtown are not unique. Small town America is shifting to a post-pandemic mindset. However, we don’t need to look too far past our community to see other small towns that have come through the pandemic with vibrant downtowns, attracting not only residents, but people from outside the community to shop and eat. Franklin, Shelbyville, Seymour, Greensburg and Bargersville are all examples of small cities that have active, vibrant downtowns. Why not look to them to examine what they have done and how we might apply it to our own situation?
Columbus is willing to spend millions of dollars in TIFF money toward large businesses and corporations encouraging them to develop in the downtown. Why not invest some of that money (or even the money spent on the various studies) trying to attract, develop and, most importantly, retain small business in the downtown area?
No one disagrees that our downtown needs some help. I don’t think I’m alone in wondering why Columbus continues to throw money at outside organizations that haven’t done much in the past two decades to help resolve our revitalization issues. Perhaps we need a study to study why the past two decades of studies have not resolved the issues studied.
