The Columbus development community debated what a boom in new downtown residents could mean if projections play out that have the population tripling in the city's core by 2040.
A panel of four people from the downtown community and within development circles talked at a Wednesday Columbus Metropolitan Club forum about office spaces being converted to residential and commercial spots; new infrastructure projects like the Capital Line and how downtown Columbus' identity could change. Columbus' Downtown Strategic Plan calls for 40,000 residents and 120,000 workers by 2040—raising big questions about what kind of neighborhood downtown Columbus will become.
Greg Davies, CEO of Downtown Columbus Inc., said downtown Columbus stands at 13,000 residents and 89,000 workers, many of whom only work in the office three days a week.
"I think we are on track. I think there's a lot of work to do. I don't think I'll be around in 2040, so you're gonna have to hold somebody else accountable," Davies said.
Local developer Brad DeHays, owner and founder of Connect Real Estate and Connect Construction, put his vision for new downtown Columbus branding simply.
"You know, we're not Cleveland," DeHays said.
Mindy Justis, advocacy chair for the Downtown Columbus Residents Association, had a different idea. She said as downtown Columbus grows, residents should decide.
"Let it happen organically. You can't push it... people have to feel it," Justis said. "Any of our organizations can come up with beautiful taglines and beautiful names, but it's gonna be the people who live, work, play, that create what they call it, right? And we gotta do it organically."
The wider conversation, moderated by WSYX anchor and managing editor Rodney Dunigan, focused on how the potential growth will impact the city. The Downtown Development Corporation is already working on converting some old office space in historic buildings after it purchased multiple buildings once owned by Huntington Bank.
DeHays is predicting a boom in retail and entertainment as the city's downtown population increases. He pointed to CAPA opening a new entertainment venue at 132 S. 3rd St. and Pins Mechanical Company choosing to stay downtown after it considered moving to the Peninsula area.
"(Pins Mechanical Company) was a huge statement. Having groups like that, those great, great operational groups that select to move downtown, that's gonna continue to create a foothold for entertainment," DeHays said.
DeHays said protecting historic structures while re-purposing them from historic office space to mixed retail or residential use is the first priority. The next priority for developers is building on the surface parking lots downtown.
The panelists were also asked about why development projects get tax incentives when working families in underserved neighborhoods still lack infrastructure and services.
Michael Stevens, Columbus' Director of Development, went to bat for giving tax abatements to developers like DeHays, who he jokingly called "evil."
"There is no market at this point without these incentives. And but for these projects, we wouldn't see this type of investment from the private sector into the community," Stevens said.
Stevens called it a sound investment because it creates new housing and jobs that can benefit people. He pointed out that the city is working to approve a high cost $2 billion capital budget that invests in the community.
DeHays said construction is the issue for development right now, even when interest rates are higher and demand exceeded supply, while rent rates continue to go up. DeHays said that's why it is good to rehabilitate older, historic buildings for use.
"When you're taking these large vertical buildings that are vacant. They currently are not bringing in money. They're currently not bringing dollars. They don't just get better, they continue to decay. Once they continue to decay, now you're looking at a demolition project. You're looking at an eyesore," DeHays said.
DeHays said even if taxes on the improved value of a property are delayed by decades by the city, it will still benefit the city in other ways.
"It's a win, but then what it does at the end is it gives people a place to live and then that's where they live...a lot of people are paying their income tax where they reside...if you live downtown, you probably work downtown," DeHays said.
The debate about tax abatements hit Columbus City Council last week after frequent city critic and former mayoral candidate Joe Motil spoke against some proposals at Monday's meeting.
Motil argues that tax abatements for wealthy developers and corporations are contributing to reduced revenue for our public schools, social services and burdening homeowners with unattainable higher property taxes.
"We the people are getting property taxed to death. These tax abatements are stripping millions of dollars in revenue away from public education and social services at a time when such revenues are being slashed by our state and federal governments," Motil said.
The CMC conversation continued with questions about affordability and adding more family friendly amenities.
Justis said she has lived in the area since 2019 and doesn't see herself moving too far. She said downtown isn't for everybody, but calls it the most important neighborhood. Justis did say she sees room for improvement.
Justis also said she wants to see more improvements downtown, like not making scooters slow down after 10 p.m. as the Central Ohio Transit Authority expands bus service to midnight and later.
"What could be done better is we need to continue to keep our eye on the prize and focus in on the little bits and pieces that truly make it a livable neighborhood," Justis said.
The full forum can be viewed on CMC's YouTube page.
