AEP, City of Columbus and Partners Celebrate Groundbreaking for The Scioto Mile

Park is set to transform downtown riverfront

(Columbus)  Project leaders Michael Morris of American Electric Power (AEP) and Mayor Michael B. Coleman today joined partners from the business community, Federal Government, State of Ohio and Franklin County to celebrate the groundbreaking for the $38 million Scioto Mile Park.  The Scioto Mile will transform Columbus’ downtown riverfront, creating places for festivals, families and recreation with water features, fountains, a café and variety of attractions for downtown residents, employees and visitors.

“Great cities are built around great parks, and it is time that we built the downtown park system that Columbus’ residents deserve at the Scioto Mile,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman.  “This new park system is historic in nature, with unprecedented partnership and funding from local businesses like AEP and our partners at the Federal, State and County level.”

In February 2007, AEP and the City of Columbus announced an historic partnership to fund the Scioto Mile, each committing $10 million as part of a 50-50 public/private sector fundraising effort to raise $38 million to build the park.

“Proven success in developing new public spaces has come from a strong partnership between the public and private sectors. That’s the approach we have taken with this project,” said Michael G. Morris, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Together, we have raised more than $38 million to build the project and endow a fund at The Columbus Foundation to support the ongoing operations, maintenance and programming of the Park.”

The Scioto Mile is another key cornerstone in the community’s plan to revitalize downtown, and is designed to attract and complement on-going residential development, boost property values and stimulate commercial growth.

“Every great American city has a place in the heart of their downtown where people can gather and enjoy the energy and vitality the community has to offer, said Council President Michael C. Mentel. “The Scioto Mile park will be the signature setting for all things Columbus for generations to come.”

When complete, the Scioto Mile will revitalize the riverfront with an interactive Promenade and a transformation of Bicentennial Park.  Key elements will be included that will attract people from all over the region.  The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation has been charged by AEP and the City to manage this project through completion. 

“The design of the Scioto Mile is unique in nature, with a Promenade that integrates water with a canal and fountain, and benches for seating and playing games,” said Guy V. Worley, President and CEO of the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation. “In addition to a café and permanent band shell, Bicentennial Park will also include a fountain unlike any other we’ve seen, serving as a signature element for the Scioto Mile.”

The Scioto Mile is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2011, in time for the City of Columbus’ Bicentennial in 2012.

The City of Columbus is helping lead the implementation of the Downtown Business Plan with CDDC and local businesses.  2008 marks the sixth year of the 10-year plan to bring new investment, energy and activity to downtown Columbus.  There is a new market for downtown housing – with more than 5,000 housing units opened or under development, including the recently announced Lifestyle Communities apartments and condos that will be moderately priced and attract younger local workers.  North Bank Park is already open and the Audubon Center Park on the Whittier Peninsula is going to begin construction later this Spring.  The City is also moving forward with the construction of two new parking garages, and private partners are looking at developing acres of surface parking lots into new housing and retail throughout the district.  Since 2002, the Mayor also has worked with 35 companies to keep or bring 3,000 jobs downtown.  The total new investment in downtown since 2000 is estimated at $2.19 billion, with $711 million in public funding helping leverage $1.48 billion in private investment.  This includes projects proposed, under construction, or built since 2000.

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states.  AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S.  AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.  AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus Downtown Development Corporation is a private, non-profit development corporation designed to lead City-changing projects, including The Scioto Mile. The Board of Directors consists of senior business and institutional leaders who have a strong commitment to downtown revitalization.
Graphic renderings of the future park are available by contacting Amy Taylor at CDDC, 614-545-3942 or  at ataylor@downtowncolumbus.com

For Immediate Release
April 14, 2008
Contact:
Mike Brown, City of Columbus, 645-6428
Pat Hemlepp, AEP, 716-1620
Amy Taylor, CDDC, 545-3942