Part of the "FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH" initiative
Revitalize selected Columbus districts and neighborhoods into attractive community hubs where young professionals and families can live, work, play, and build long-term ties. The plan recommends identifying a district with redevelopment potential, gathering input from young residents and stakeholders, developing a comprehensive redevelopment plan, using zoning and developer incentives, and creating a visually appealing community with housing, recreation, entertainment, and public gathering spaces. Potential focus areas listed include Anderson Village, MidCity Yards, and the Liberty Heritage District.
Tracks creation of a steering committee made up of young professionals, nonprofit organizations, real estate representatives, neighborhood residents, and other stakeholders.
Tracks developer incentives and redevelopment investment used to revitalize and remodel different parts of neighborhoods.
Tracks participation in community surveys from citizens aged 18-40 to gain information on what is most important to the young population in Columbus.
Tracks creation of a full neighborhood development plan after the information gathering process begins.
Tracks Georgia Heritage Grant funding for preservation of Liberty Theater or another historical site.
Tracks whether the revitalized community is one that young community members will be proud of and want to help maintain for generations to come.
Tracks town hall meetings used to convene stakeholders and gather information for neighborhood revitalization.
Tracks staffing needed to support the Plant Your Roots planning and revitalization process.
Tracks major grant or funding sources identified for the Plant Your Roots plan.
Tracks additional housing and residential development options created through neighborhood revitalization and increased market-rate residential critical mass.
Tracks project manager salary for research and planning.
Tracks Community Development Block Grant allocation for community development.
Tracks redevelopment projects accepted through developer bids and construction progress on key neighborhood pieces.
Tracks the initiative’s ability to help young professionals and families connect to Columbus and plant their roots locally.
Tracks community fundraising for a key community center or central hub in the chosen district.
Tracks review of zoning laws, district planning documents, and comprehensive plans needed to support entertainment districts and redevelopment.
Tracks revitalization of a selected district into a visually appealing community with recreation, entertainment, public gathering spaces, and renewed neighborhood activity.
Tracks Choice Neighborhood Grant funding available for public or HUD-assisted housing and neighborhood transformation.
Tracks city-wide survey advertising and outreach to collect input from the under-40 population.
Tracks coordination among developers, neighborhood stakeholders, churches, business organizations, current residents, and city/state representatives.
Estimated balanced plan shown at approximately $910,000 in expenses and $910,000 in income/funding. Expense items include Project Manager $40,000, Town Hall Meetings $3,000, City-wide surveys/advertising $2,000, Commission Urban Planner to Redesign $15,000, City Match for Liberty Theatre/other historical site $100,000, and Various Developer Incentives $750,000. Funding/income items shown include Choice Neighborhood Grant $500,000, Georgia Heritage Grant $100,000, Community Fundraising for key community center $160,000, and Community Development Block Grant allocation $150,000.