In the coming weeks, city of Columbus crews and law enforcement will focus on safety, improvements, and beautification along Route 161 in the Northland area, in the next installment of the city's Clean and Safe Corridors initiative.
Northland insurance agent Felix Quachey Jr. shared a Ghanaian proverb in his native tongue on Tuesday as the city kicked off the targeted effort in the area.
"Translated, it means a society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall not ever sit under," Quachey said. "That's what this initiative represents. Making the investments now that will create greater safety, renewed pride and expanded opportunity for years to come."
This year, the city has already spent about $269,000 and 1,200 hours of work in similar efforts on Refugee Road on the southeast side and Long Street in King-Lincoln Bronzeville.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said crews filled 284 potholes, installed 92 new signs, repaired more than 100 streetlights and made 40 arrests, including a dozen felony arrests.
The city also inspected more than 400 properties and removed almost 200 cubic yards of debris.
"These are coordinated investments that make neighborhoods cleaner, safer and more welcoming every single day in our city," Ginther said.
Northland — considered one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods — will now get the same treatment.
"Northland is one of Columbus' most diverse neighborhoods. Families from around the world have chosen to build their lives here. Small businesses continue to thrive here. Major employers continue to grow here," Ginther said. "But opportunity doesn't happen by accident. It requires safe streets, clean public spaces, strong infrastructure, thriving businesses and a city and neighbors who show up for one another."
Columbus launched the Safe and Clean Corridors Initiative last year with a focus on four streets: Parsons, Sullivant and Livingston avenues and North High Street.
The city reported that in those four corridors, police made 46 felony arrests, confiscated 15 firearms and impounded 115 vehicles. The cleanup effort removed 55 tons of litter.
Crews trimmed nearly 500 trees, installed 368 new street signs and responded to almost 250 issues reported through the city's 311 non-emergency call service.
