The City of Columbus is seeking qualified planners to submit proposals for the creation of a new community plan for the former Eastland Mall and surrounding area. According to the Request for Proposals (RFP), the plan will serve as “the strategy for the stabilization and improvement of the area”.
The firm chosen to complete the work is expected to engage with a wide variety of community groups, residents, businesses and stakeholders. The creation of a communications and media plan is required, in addition the completion of the community plan.
The neighborhood has been in the news most recently for the closure of the Eastland Mall in December, after 54 years in business.
The area defined in the RFP represents approximately 5.75 square miles of land that includes the neighborhoods of Easthaven, Glenbrook and Walnut Heights in addition to Eastland.
A similar plan was last created for the area in 2007 by BBPC Associates and Jacobs Carter Burgess (now known as Jacobs). That plan, known as the Hamilton Road Corridor / Eastland Area Revitalization Plan, provided the following vision statement:
“The corridor is a community of choice to today’s residents and business owners and for future generations. This vision is created by an enhanced corridor roadway, strong businesses, vital neighborhoods, and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities.”
To learn more about the history of Eastland Mall, tune into this recent podcast with Columbus Historian Doug Motz:
For more episodes of The Confluence Cast, CLICK HERE.
For more information, visit https://www.columbus.gov/neighborhoods/Community-Planning/.