FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2009
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
Columbus Downtown Development Corporation: Amy Taylor – 614.545.3942; ataylor@downtowncolumbus.com
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves
$1 Million for RiverSouth Project
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $1 million at its quarterly meeting today for a part of the Scioto Mile Riverfront Park project, located in the RiverSouth district.
The Scioto Mile project will create a signature riverfront park in downtown Columbus as part of the 20-acre RiverSouth district. Scioto Mile is part of plans to help revitalize downtown Columbus by attracting and complementing residential development, boosting property values and stimulating commercial growth. Anchoring one end of Scioto Mile is Bicentennial Park, which will be upgraded utilizing state capital funds appropriated for the area. The project will create a permanent amphitheater in the park, including concrete bench seating, electrical and water hook-ups, Wi-Fi access, and a small storage facility backstage. The amphitheater and surrounding park will host concerts, festivals and other public events when it is completed in June 2011.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the project sponsor, the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 675 of the 124th General Assembly. Franklin County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senators David Goodman, Jim Hughes and Ray Miller; former Senators Ben Espy, Bruce Johnson and Priscilla Mead; and former Representatives Joyce Beatty, Larry Flowers, Linda Reidelbach, Amy Salerno, Geoffrey Smith and Larry Wolpert.
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that supports economic development, expands educational opportunities, and enhances the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed more than $400 million in capital funds appropriated by the Legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at nonprofit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues. The Commission partners with nonprofit groups and local governments on more than 300 projects in 72 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.
