Purpose: Present a proposed downtown circulator concept, as well as solicit ideas, comments, and answer questions

1. Proposed Downtown Circulator
Public Comment Meetings
August, 2013

2. 2
Purpose of meeting
 Present a proposed downtown bus circulator concept
 Solicit ideas, comments and answer questions about
a proposed downtown bus circulator

3. 3
What is a Downtown Circulator?
 Special bus route circulating through a downtown area,
characterized by:
 Improves connectivity between downtown area
activity centers
 Encourages and supports downtown development
 High frequency service
 Uniquely branded vehicles and stops
 Easy to understand and use
 Reduced or free fare

4. 4
 Numerous cities have
implemented downtown
circulators including:
 Cleveland, OH
Trolley
 Baltimore, MD
Charm City Circulator
 Nashville, TN
Music City Circuit
 Houston, TX
GreenLink
 Raleigh, NC
R-Line
 Washington, DC
DC Circulator
Examples From Other Cities
Cleveland, OH
Nashville, TN Houston, TX
Raleigh, NC Washington, DC
Baltimore, MD

5. 5
Why a Downtown Columbus Circulator?
 The downtown area continues to grow
with increased investments in:
 Residential development
 Entertainment and attractions
 Employment
 Dining and nightlife
 Retail and services

6. 6
Enhancing Downtown Livability
 Residential growth: approximately 4,500 existing units, with another
2,400 under construction or planned including:
 Atlas Building
 250 S. High
 570 Lofts
 Annex at River South
 Arena Crossing
 Flats on Vine I & II
 Highpoint at Columbus Commons
 The Hubbard Park Place
 Julian Building Apartments
 LC Apartments at High & Rich
 Liberty Place Apartments
 Leveque Tower
 Neighborhood Launch
 Parkside on Pearl
 The Wood Company
 Yankee on High
LC Apartments Arena Crossing HighPoint

7. 7
Improved Connections to Attractions and Events
Attractions and festivals generated nearly 8 million visitors in 2012 including:
 Arena District
 Arnold Fitness Expo
 Arts Festival
 Brewery District
 CAPA (Ohio, Palace, Southern, Capitol theaters)
 Columbus Commons
 Columbus Convention Center
 ComFest
 COSI
 First Night Columbus
 German Village
 Greek Festival
 Huntington Park (Clippers/concerts)
 Jazz & Rib Fest
 LC Pavilion
 Nationwide Arena (Blue Jackets/concerts)
 North Market
 Red, White & Boom
 Scioto Mile
 Shadowbox Live
 The Short North Arts District (Gallery Hop)
 And many more!
Columbus Commons Event Nationwide Arena Scioto Mile

8. 8
Meeting Downtown Employee Transportation Needs
 Downtown area continues to be the largest employment
center in the region with approximately 85,000 employees.
More than 7,000 added since 2003. Major employment
sectors include:
 Banking
 Education
 Government
 Healthcare
 Hospitality
 Insurance
 Legal
 Utilities

9. 9
Improved Connections to Dining and Nightlife
The Cap
Short North
Gay Street
Ohio Theater
Brewery District
Arena District

10.  Printing and Shipping Services
 Gyms and Fitness Centers
 Coffee Shops
 Dry Cleaners & Tailors
 Cell Phone Providers
 Convenience Stores &
Pharmacies
10
Improved Connections to Retail and Services
 Grocery Stores
 Banks
 Hair Salons & Barbers
 Clothing & Shoe Stores
 Specialty Stores
 Medical, Dental, and Vision
Services
 Can significantly decrease the number of auto trips made by
employees and residents in the area. The proposed bus circulator will
connect a number of these services including:
North Market Health & Fitness Retail

11. 11
Attracting Visitors
 Sixteen Downtown area hotels totaling
nearly 4,000 rooms. Hospitality sector
continues to expand with ongoing
investments to meet growing demand
 Convention Center events attracted
more than one million attendees in
2012
 The Short North Arts District is a
nationally recognized attraction
offering a wide variety of art, dining,
and nightlife activities

12. 12
Proposed Circulator Alignment
 From Sycamore Street and Front Street:
 North on Front Street to Park Street
 East on Buttles Avenue
 South on High Street
 West on West Sycamore Street
 4.1 mile loop
 Provides improved connectivity between the
following areas in and around downtown:
 Arena District
 Brewery District
 German Village
 Italian Village
 River South
 Short North
 Uptown
 Victorian Village

13. 13
Proposed Stop Locations
 20 stops
 Signage will include distinctive branding
 Where feasible, stops on Front Street will
include new passenger shelters
 Real-time next bus arrival information at
select stops
Example of possible real-time display

14. 14
Park Once
 Provides connections from various parking
garages and lots to popular destinations and
events
 Helps alleviate parking problems along
segments of the alignment

15. 15
Proposed Service Characteristics*
 Frequent Service
 10-15 minutes Monday – Friday
 15 minutes Saturday/Sunday/Holidays
 Span of Service
 7:00am -10:00pm daily
 Reduced or free fare
 Six 30’ branded CNG buses
 Service planned to begin in May 2014
*As of 8-26-13

16. 16
Thank You!
Questions or Comments?