Crosswoods Columbus Comprehensive Plan

FUTURE
P l a n
F o r
C r o s s w o o d s
FUTURE
A
P l a n
F o r
C r o s s w o o d s
Prepared by
The Ohio State University
Knowlton School
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
David Miller, Executive Vice President
Capital Crossroads and Discovery SID
Marc Conte, Deputy Directory of Research,

Planning, and Facilities
Lisa Defendiefer, Deputy Director of Operations &
Advocacy
Central Park Apartments
Office Staff
We are thankful and appreciative

of all the professionals who took
time to help inform our research
and findings by speaking with us
in person, via Skype, and over
the phone. The quality of the Plan
we have produced is enhanced
by your contributions of time and
knowledge. Thank you.
-Nicki Martin, MCRP Candidate
City of Columbus,
Division of Traffic Management
Lisa M. Lamantia, AICP, Planning Manager

Reynaldo Stargell, Traffic Control Engineer
Eliza Thrush, Planner II
Division of Economic Development

Lee Hennick, TIF Coordinator
Michael Loges, Business Development Specialist

Courtyard by Marriott
Judy Lynam, GM
Ohio Department of Transportation
Brian J. Davidson, P.E., Project Manager

District 6
Susan Gasbarro, History Architecture Team Leader
Central Office, Office of Environmental Services
Preferred Living
Jared Smith, Chief Development Officer
Residence Inn
Patrick Worley, GM
Allison Frase, Manager
Worthington Chamber
Kathryn Paugh, President & CEO
Zagster
Dana Allender, Regional General Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
W h a t s
t h e
p l a n
The Crosswoods Comprehensive Plan consists of four

elements: Introduction, Community Outreach, Plan
Recommendations, and a Toolkit. The bulk of the
Plan consists of the plan Recommendations, which
includes options for Crosswoods future character,
land use, access and transportation, and natural
environment. Each sections recommendations
are illustrated through the use of text, maps, charts,
and pictures.
The Introduction element of the Plan provides
regional context and development history,
including todays current access, character, and
land use conditions. This element incorporates
existing plans; such as Connect Columbus, the Far
North Area Plan, and COTA Next Gen, that outline
the Crosswoods area and other project boundaries.
Demographics are also included in the introduction
element, detailing who lives and works inside of the
Crosswoods project boundary.
The Outreach element highlights the projects
stakeholders, community surveys, public meetings,
i n c l u d e ?
and various challenges and constraints.

The
business, residential, and generic community
surveys conducted provide insight of todays use
of the site, and provide perspective on how the
business and residential communities, along with
visitors, envision the future of Crosswoods.
The Recommendation element provides concrete
options for the future of the area with respect to
access and transportation, natural environment,
character and wayfinding, and land use. The
professional recommendations were developed
based on qualitative and quantitative analysis
conducted by the Team as well as community
input.
The
Toolkit
element
consists
of
possible
implementation techniques, such as design
guidelines, along with possible grant funding
options and a Special Improvement District (SID) for
the future development of the Crosswoods area.
MEET THE TEAM
Introductions...
The Crosswoods studio team represents the best of
the best. These individuals shined in high school,
realized a dream by securing an undergraduate
degree, and are now seeking a Master of City
and Regional Planning from The Ohio State
University. They are separating themselves from
the rest of their cohorts with hard work and
determination. Many of the students already have
full-time jobs in the planning field, so the time they
have dedicated to this project after working a
full day clearly expresses their commitment to
the profession. These 14 exceptional graduate
students come from different cities and towns from
Seattle to Los Angeles, Boca Raton to Wyoming.
They have diverse backgrounds and perspectives,
but above all else they are smart and talented.
One of my core roles as an instructor is to provide
a framework for students to flourishallow them
to excel in their own areas of interest while gaining
exposure to others. Achieving this balance
between providing structure while also allowing
creativity is a challenging but critical component
of a successful studio.
any private-sector planning firm to do what these

students have done in just a few months.
A wide array of issues have been researched

and studied so as to compile a thorough plan
for the future of Crosswoods. Topics such as
transportation, wayfinding, land use, open
space, connectivity, and funding are all directly
addressed by this document. The students took
on an ambitious outreach project; soliciting
online and in-person survey responses from those
that work, live, and visit Crosswoods. Numerous
field observation trips gave the students an
organic understanding of what goes on at
Crosswoods on a daily basis. A social media
campaign was also launched and included the
creation of a professional-grade website www.
CrosswoodsColumbus.com. A Facebook page
and Twitter account (@CrosswoodsCLB) furthered
the awareness of the project and allowed
information to be disseminated to a broader
audience. A design charrette was held near the
midpoint of the semester to get real feedback
from stakeholders of varying interests and
perspectives. It would be a challenge for almost
This studio team is energetic, professional, and

ready to solve real-world problems. Their work
will no doubt make a positive difference for the
people who live, work, and visit Crosswoods.
Restaurants will benefit, office workers will be
happier, and visitors will be able to enjoy the area
to a fuller extent. Crosswoods needs an identity,
and this project represents a major step forward in
making that a reality.
This is my eighth consecutive studio project and

each semester I am amazed at the way such
varied minds come together to create something
special. This group of students has accomplished
much in a very short timeframe. Studio courses
represent the culmination of years of academics,
allowing students to apply what theyve learned in
a real-world setting. Their efforts will be published
and more importantly, will be used to enhance
an actual place! Instead of getting in a car to
arrive at a destination that is only 300 feet away,
there will be a crosswalk and a sidewalk with
proper lighting and wayfinding nearby. The final
document has been created in a way that will
allow stakeholders to carry this effort forward.
It will have life outside the academic realm
and will not sit on a shelf. The buzz the students
have generated about Crosswoods is real and
the media coverage they have received is a
testament to their efforts.
Chad D. Gibson, AICP
Associated Faculty
Knowlton School of Architecture
740-857-1401
gibson.207@osu.edu
Senior Planning Officer
City of Upper Arlington, Ohio
614-583-5074
cgibson@uaoh.net
Chad Gibson, AICP
Michele Boni
Brandon Creagan
Shannon Fergus
Gabe Filer
Jessyca Hayes
Pattarin Jarupan
Loudan Klein
Billynda Lyon
Nicki Martin
Audrey Porter
Jason Shender
Logan Stang
Sam Stouffer
Nicholas Warren
CONTENTS
W h e r e
i s . . .
1. Introduction
1 Regional Context
2 Existing Plans
6 History
8 Today
12 Demographics
14 Business Inventory
16 Land Use
2. Outreach
19 Clients
20 Stakeholders
22 Communication
24 Community Surveys & Outreach Methods
28 Survey Results
34 Public Meetings
38 Areas of Interest & Opportunity Analysis
3. Recommendations
44 Focus Areas
46 Transportation & Access
50 Multi-Use Path Connections
52 Striping Plan
60 Zagster
62 Natural Environment
68 Character & Wayfinding
72 Wayfinding Plan
74 Land Use
4. Toolkit
81 Implementation
82 Special Improvement District
90 Design Guidelines
98 Other Funding Sources
5. Appendix
INTRODUCTION
R EGION AL CONTEX T
W h e r e
i s
DUBLIN
C r o s s w o o d s ?
CROSSWOODS
WORTHINGTON
WESTERVILLE
GAHANNA
HILLIARD
UPPER
ARLINGTON
OHIO
STATE
Legend
Crosswoods S
DOWNTOWN
COLUMBUS
HIGH ST
Site
CA
MP
VIE US
W
Situated on the northeast corner of U.S. 23 and

I-270, Crosswoods is just north of the City of
Worthington and roughly 10 miles north of the
core of Downtown Columbus. Consuming roughly
200 acres, Crosswoods serves as one of the more
attractive entertainment centers for the northern
part of Columbus.
YORK TE
MPLE
HIGH ST
1.1, 1.2 Context map highlighting Crosswoods within

the Columbus metro area and detailed site aerial.
HIGH ST
For the purposes of this plan, and by most geographic

definitions, Crosswoods boundaries are defined by
W
70
I -2
TO
Radio City Blvd. to the north, the Conrail Railroad
S
23
US
1-27
tracks to the east, I-270 to the south, and U.S. RAM
230P to
I-270 RAMP
I-270
O
the west. In addition, Crosswoods is surrounded by
I-270 RAMP
ST
23 E
S
E
U 270
70
I
a variety of businesses and notable attractions such
I -2
TO
N
23
as Polaris Fashion Place, the Shops at Worthington
US
Place, the York Golf Club, the Anheuser-Busch
1 0.2
Brewery, and the Josephinum Pontifical College.
0
0.05 0.1
0.3
0.4
Miles
I-270
W h a t P l a n s A l r e a d y
Far North Area Plan
Many growing cities are faced with the task
of recommending long-range development
strategies on a regional scale. The scarcity of urban
land and abundance of land covered by adjacent
municipalities makes this issue extremely challenging.
As a result, the City of Columbus decided to tactfully
separate the citys extensive landmass into multiple
districts so each neighborhood can be tailored to
meet the needs of their respective area.
City of Columbus to explore alternative modes

of transportation. Constructing bike lanes and
sidewalks is a great way to incorporate public health
in the built environment. Addressing walkability is
vital to promoting connectivity because it improves
the design and utility of a given space.
The creation of Principles is the plans blueprint for
future development. This component embodies
four essential elements: land use, natural resources,
urban design, and transportation. Each principle
outlines visual graphics and written policies to help
articulate new opportunities. These objectives
include increasing density, preservation of existing
resources, creation of new parks, and gateway
district designs. There are several policies that not
only encourage high-quality development, but also
increase the value of the citys built environment.
The objective behind an area plan is to focus

on future development opportunities while
also monitoring the existing landscape. The Far
North Area is one district targeted by the City
of Columbus. This community is located north of
I-270, east of SR 315 and west of I-71. The Far North
Area Plan consists of three major elements: Existing
Conditions, Recommendations Based on Principles,
and Implementation.
The final portion of the Far North Area Plan covers

implementation, stressing that it is ultimately up
to public officials, private developers, and the
general public to ask for better urban landscapes.
In addition, this section explains how stakeholders
could implement these concepts over a long
period of time. One useful tool included is the
Development Review Checklist, which features a
future land use map and incorporates form-based
zoning codes.
The Existing Conditions section helps to identify

strengths and weaknesses. It begins by outlining
the areas characteristics such as employment
statistics, popular industries, and demographics. It
is important to note these figures not only explain
how the community has changed, but also help
to articulate future trends. Alongside quantitative
data, this document identifies the land use and
zoning classification for each property. The land
use analysis reveals that one-third of the area is
residential, while another quarter is dedicated to
open space.
The Far North Area Plan not only addresses

numerous issues, but also contains constructive
critiques such as lack of connectivity, poor design,
and abundance of excessive parking. One benefit
of creating a comprehensive plan for Crosswoods is
that it can significantly build upon the findings of the
Far North Area Plan. Although both plans strive to
enhance the built environment of North Columbus,
our studio has channeled several resources on
revitalizing a very important commercial district.
Focusing on the improvement of a smaller space
can return future dividends because it inspires
other neighborhoods to seek self-improvement. The
Crosswoods comprehensive plan will be another
reason for businesses and residents across North
Columbus to feel proud.
Analyzing transportation trends is very important

when deciding whether a community should
accommodate greater density (or higher traffic
volume). Graphic 3.2 illustrates that nearly 150,000
vehicles drive along I-71 (near Polaris Parkway) each
day. This corridor receives the largest amount of
daily traffic in Central Ohio. U.S. 23 (just north of I-270)
is the second-busiest corridor. The bottleneck these
traffic volumes create is practically unavoidable for
commuters north of Worthington.
Expanding the width of roads will not solve the
areas endless traffic. As a result, its critical for the
E x i s t ?
3.1 City of Columbus, Natural

Resources Plan
There is a great opportunity to

incorporate visual graphics in
the recommendations. Visual
elements create a dialogue for
many strong ideas. Energizing
stakeholders is a useful way to
fostering public participation.
Comprehensive plans are a living
document because they change
to meet future needs. The most
significant objective behind this
project is to present a vision on
how our team would enhance the
quality-of-life in North Columbus
and leave a long-lasting blueprint
on an area that is crying out for
inspiration
3.2 City of Columbus, Bikeways

Plan
3.2 City of Columbus,

Transportation Plan
-Logan Stang, MCRP Candidate
Connect Columbus
The City of Columbus is currently developing a
multimodal thoroughfare plan called Connect
Columbus, which aims to guide future transportation
decisions across Central Ohio. Key provisions of
this proposal include: improving safety, reducing
traffic congestion, assisting children and the
elderly, promoting economic development, and
advancing environmental responsibility.
The existing COTA Park and Ride within the

Crosswoods area is a vital ingredient in the
multimodal plan. The property has also been
indentified as a potential light rail stop projected in
the future of Columbus transportation planning.
Connect Columbus has created a conceptual
illustration (shown below) to outline its vision for
future redevelopment. This illustration encourages
connectivity by increasing local access within the
existing framework. In addition, this layout opens up
a potential connection to the City of Worthington
(via I-270 underpass) to help alleviate traffic along
the I-270/U.S. 23 interchange.
Connect Columbus began establishing goals in

October 2014, and is expected to be complete by
April 2016. The City of Columbus has identified a
need to include complete street design guidelines,
which will be used in conjunction with the plan.
Central Ohio was divided into four quadrants and
the City of Columbus held public meetings in each
quadrant throughout the summer of 2015 to address
existing conditions and areas of interest in order to
begin finalizing this transportation plan. Crosswoods
is located in the northeast quadrant, which has
been designated for redevelopment because it is
seen as a key gateway to the region.
This illustration also depicts the integration of mixeduse development to create a more walkable area.
The Connect Columbus plan will have a lasting
impact on the region through the creation of a
cohesive and diverse transportation network.
PROPOSED MIXEDUSE DEVELOPMENT
4.1 City of Columbus, Connect Columbus Plan.

4
COTA NextGen
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has
embarked on long-range efforts to identify the
transportation needs for Central Ohio. The COTA
NextGen project is a comprehensive transportation
plan intended to prepare for infrastructure
improvements into the year 2050. This project
is designed to comprehensively consider how
emerging trends across Central Ohio will shape
communities and increase demand for public
transportation. There are four main goals COTA has
identified for the NextGen plan: ensure Ohioans
have access to public transportation, prepare for
future growth by identifying integrated investment
opportunities, support local and regional efforts
to develop multi-modal communities, and identify
revenue opportunities that support and ensure
implementation. Additionally, this project is
coordinating with similar planning efforts throughout
the region in order to create a more cohesive plan.
Local partnerships include the City of Columbus
and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
SITE
The success of NextGen relies heavily on

the involvement of local municipalities and
organizations. In order to monitor its efforts, COTA
created a Project Advisory Group that includes
representatives of numerous organizations and
communities that have a vested interest in improving
public infrastructure. These representatives are
responsible for providing technical input and
feedback on what their organizational needs will
be in the future. Some proposals that have already
been introduced include: light rail, transit-oriented
development in nearby suburbs, refurbishing highly
utilized transit routes, and creating Bus-Rapid
Transit .
5.1 COTA NextGen Plan for Columbus area.

5
Area History...
1950
1970
6.1 The area was largely

undeveloped in the 1950s. The
Ruckmoor Lounge opened
in 1951. This pub sits on 0.304
acres. Nestled along U.S. Route
23, this local restaurant was
the most significant destination
in Crosswoods. It drew local
residents and was a place for
locals to relax. Between 1951
and 1981 this business enjoyed
very little company in the
Crosswoods area.
6.2 Construction of I-270 ended

in 1975. Aside from U.S. 23,
Crosswoods remained mostly
undeveloped during this time.
The only major destination was
still the Ruckmoor Lounge.
1990
2010
7.1 During the early 1990s,

popular
restaurants
such
as Columbus Fish Market
and Winking Lizard opened.
Between 1997 and 1998
another, smaller building boom
occurred in this area. This time
around, restaurant franchises
like Ruths Chris Steakhouse
and Chipotle were built
alongside the Marcus Theater,
which has been acting as the
anchor for Crosswoods for
almost 20 years. Two new hotels
opened in 1999, the Residence
Inn and Towne Place Suites.
The Marcus Theater was built in
1997, acting as the anchor for
Crosswoods for almost 20 years.
By 2000 the growth leveled off,
with minimal development for
much of the early 2000s.
7.2 The Central Park Apartments

opened in 2004, becoming
the first residential apartment
complex
in
Crosswoods.
In 2014 the Prescott Place
Apartments and Northgate
Apartments were built. Most
of the growth between 2004
and 2014 was residential
development. Crosswoods was
deeply impacted by the Great
Recession. Many businesses
closed
during
this
time.
Another factor contributing
to this areas decline was the
fact other regional shopping
districts like Polaris Mall and
Easton Town Center offered
larger and more modern
shopping complexes.
7
Today...
8.1 View looking east from Huntington Mortgage Group toward Huntington Park Drive.
Crosswoods is a mixed-use community with great

potential. This area consists of more than 300
residents and 5,000 employees. The population of
this neighborhood is expected to increase once
new apartments are completed. Employment can
also increase if the remaining commercial and
office vacancies are filled. When it comes to visitors,
some are seeing a movie while others are spending
several days at a nearby hotel. According to the
United States Census, the majority of Crosswoods
population is between the ages of 21-35. Therefore,
the Crosswooods Plan takes into consideration the
needs of young adults. This demographic is a major
segment of our audience because they live and

work in this community.
Given the close proximity of restaurants and offices,
people want the area to be walkable. Crosswoods
discourages walkability because there are not
enough sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. In
addition, fostering a car-centric atmosphere makes
it difficult for pedestrians to safely navigate their
way around the area. Without a safe place for
pedestrians, driving is the sole option. Fortunately,
the streets in this area are wide enough to implement
multi-use roadways.
Access
Crosswoods is technically an area one can live, work and play in, but with
many challenges. For instance, the street layout overwhelmingly favors drivers
instead of pedestrians. Walkability was not a top priority during the initial
creation of Crosswoods. People want to call this a well-rounded community,
but are not comfortable treating it as one. Implementing a few crucial
infrastructure improvements will enhance the quality of life for everyone within
the Crosswoods area.
Character
Crosswoods is a quick drive from major destinations such as the Polaris Mall,
Worthington Mall, and The Ohio State University. This area is a place where
people go to work, watch a movie, stay at a hotel, or live. Although Crosswoods
is located in the City of Columbus, many businesses identify it as being part of
the City of Worthington because it is located within the Worthington School
District. Crosswoods struggles with its identity and reputation.
Getting around Crosswoods is extremely challenging due to the lack of
pedestrian and vehicular connectivity. In addition, several properties are
surrounded by excessive amounts of parking. These parking lots remain empty,
even during the busiest hours of the day. As for open space, there is a pond
located next to Huntington Bank where people can relax on a nice day.
Crosswoods has other areas of open space that are currently not utilized, but
have potential to be retrofitted in the future. With the abundance of surface
parking, open space must be available to strike a balance between modal
access and recreation.
Uses
Crosswoods encompasses a variety of uses including, hotels, apartments,

office complexes, restaurants, and a movie theater. Most of the hotels such
as, Courtyard Marriot, Doubletree, Sheraton Suites, Residence Inn and Red
Roof Inn are located along the outer edges of the area, making them visible
from I-270 and U.S. 23. Central Park and Prescott Place Apartments are the two
finished residential complexes in the area. A new apartment complex will soon
be finished just north of the movie theater. Marcus Theater is centrally located
in Crosswoods, drawing a high volume of people during prime movie going
times.
The Far North Area Plan defines Crosswoods as an employment center because
the area houses large office complexes such as Huntington Bank, American
Bank and the Rehabilitation Service Commission. Restaurants are abundant in
the area as well, ranging from Ruth Chris to Chipotle. Uses are not confined to
one area and instead are spread throughout the community, offering a variety
of amenities to all people who live, work and play in Crosswoods.
10
11.1 View of I-270 interchange improvements.
11.2 New sidewalk along Radio City Blvd near

Central Park Apartments.
11.3 This multi-tenant office complex exemplifies

the office presence in Crosswoods.
11.4 Pedestrians leave the Marcus Cinema.
11.5 There are new apartment complexes

spread throughout the area.
11
11.6 Fine dining and fast-casual options are

common at Crosswoods.
DEMOGRAPHICS
W h o
l i v e s
a n d
w o r k s
h e r e ?
Live
In order to develop recommendations for the
Crosswoods area it is important to understand the
characteristics of its residents. The data collected
for this study was gathered from the 2010 Census
at the Census Block Level. Although more recent
data is typically preferred when analyzing the
characteristics of a given population, the size of
the study area did not provide the opportunity to
utilize a larger level of analysis other than the Block
Level; in which the 2010 Census provided the latest
available set of data. Therefore, the addition of the
Northgate and Prescott Place apartments, which
were constructed during and after the period in
which the data for the 2010 Census was collected,
have likely had a significant impact on the overall
composition of the Crosswoods residential
population. In addition, it is important to highlight
the fact that the hotels within the Crosswoods area
AGE BREAKDOWN
12.1 2010 Census Data
serve as temporary housing units for guests who stay

in the rooms for months at a time.
Crosswoods contains approximately 386 residents
and 303 households. When further examining the
demographic composition of Crosswoods, the data
would indicate that the population largely reflects
the composition of the City of Columbus and the
City of Worthington. Perhaps the most telling statistic,
and what potentially separates Crosswoods
residential population from the aforementioned
populations, is the heavy influence of residents
between the ages of 18 and 39, which account for
roughly 72% of the population. In addition, various
stakeholders have noted that the majority of the
residential population within Crosswoods identifies
with the Worthington community, and spends the
majority of their time in the Worthington area.
Females
Males
12
POPULATION
COMPOSITION
Work
A primary component of Crosswoods identity
is derived from the amount of retail and office
space within the neighborhood. According to the
ReferenceUSA database, as of 2014 there are 298
businesses located in Crosswoods that employ
approximately 5,488 people. This means that
there are over 14 times as many people working
in Crosswoods as there are living in Crosswoods.
Although the addition of new residential units will
likely balance the number of employees versus the
number of residents to an extent, it is unlikely that the
number of people living in Crosswoods will surpass
the number of people working in Crosswoods for
the foreseeable future. Therefore, various planning
implications begin to develop when coupling
the influence of Crosswoods workforce with its
numerous restaurants and other attractions.
Classification System (NAICS) descriptions. When

further examining the data, it becomes increasingly
evident that Crosswoods contains a great deal
of diversity in terms of employment opportunities.
Perhaps the most surprising statistic is the fact that
the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation Services
Commission, which is defined as a legislative body,
accounts for roughly 15% of the employment
within Crosswoods, with 799 employees. Following
Legislative Bodies, approximately 11% of the
employees in Crosswoods work in Restaurants, 9%
work in Real Estate Loans, 8% work in Hotels and
Motels, and an additional 8% work in Insurance. In
regards to the number of employees by location,
there is a high concentration of employees along
the east side of the study area. More specifically,
the businesses located in the northeast quadrant
of the study area contain close to 2,200 employees
and account for approximately 40% of the working
population in Crosswoods.
The chart below displays the top ten most prevalent

industries in Crosswoods by North American Industry
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
13.1 City of Columbus GIS Data
EMPLOYMENT BY
INDUSTRY
Crosswoods
Crosswoods
Building Footprint
Number of Employees by Location
Building Footprint
1- 25
26 - 50
Number of Employees
by Location
1- 25
26 - 50
51 - 100
51 - 100
101 - 250
251 - 500
501 - 750
More than 750
101 - 250
251 - 500
501 - 750
More than 750
0.05
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
Miles
Columbus GIS
13
BUSINESS INVENTORY
What types of businesses operate here?
Key Findings
The Property Inventory is the summarization of
parcel information for the 60 properties located in
Crosswoods. The inventory provides a foundation
for analyzing property conditions for the roughly
200 acre site. Items of interest include 2014 market
value, property acreage, building square-footage,
parking count, the year structures were built,
and land classification. Through analyzing these
categories a number of trends and generalizations
were revealed about development in the area. An
example of this is that based on structures built per
year, two development peaks in Crosswoods were
identified, one in the mid-to-late 80s and another
in the late 90s. Additionally, The Ruckmoor Lounge,
located on the corner of High Street and Dimension
Drive, is the oldest building in the area having been
built in 1951, long before the existence of I-270 and
Crosswoods.
estimates, is $187 million resulting in a roughly

$900,000 worth for the average acre. This finding
enforces the high market and community value
that Crosswoods has for the City of Columbus.
There is an estimated 2.5 million square-feet of
building space, separated into restaurant, office,
retail, and entertainment uses. The average age of
structures is 23 years old, adding to the decline in
property condition and posing issues for economic
sustainability.
The overarching issue in Crosswoods is the amount
of surface parking. Through the inventory, an
estimated 11,700 parking spaces were identified
for the 60 properties. Even more remarkable is that
over 10% of these spaces belong solely to the movie
theater, which is due to zoning requirements for
theater uses in the City of Columbus. While this issue is
a pressing concern for future development, parking
regulations are based on zoning requirements
leaving little room for variation. In fact, the theater
was approved for a variance for reduced parking
requirements in 2013.
Some organizations in Crosswoods own multiple

properties resulting in a smaller number of
stakeholders in the area. The market value for the
entire area, based on 2014 Franklin County Auditor
STRUCTURES BUILT PER YEAR
14.1 Construction boomed in the late 80s and late 90s at Crosswoods.
14
Inventory
15.1The Business Inventory highlights the diversity of businesses at Crosswoods.

15
LAND USE
[ ]
W h a t s
P l a n n i n g ?
Planning// Planning creates
a vision for a community by creating

more convenient, equitable, efficient,
and attractive places. Planning finds
the right balance for new development,
delivery of services, and innovative
change (American Planning
Association). Planning can be done at
all scales from a shopping center to an
entire region. This document will identify
the goals and vision to enhance
Crosswoods.
Existing
Land use involves the management and
modification of the built environment. This process
determines the use of a given parcel of land to
meet a specific purpose. The built environment is
classified into different zones. Zoning and land use
go hand in hand because zoning regulates the
types of land use permitted on a property. The land
use for Crosswoods is primarily zoned commercial.
The one exception is the northwest corner, which
is zoned as multi-family residential. This is where the
Central Park Apartments are located. The other
multi-family complexes in the area are zoned
commercial as long-term stay, such as Prescott
Place Apartments to the south and Stafford House
(currently under construction) just north of Marcus
Cinemas.
The Far North Area Plan drafted by the City of
Columbus Planning Division considers Crosswoods
a major employment center. Huntington Bank,

American Bank, and the Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation Services Commission are a few of
the large employers in the area. Even though
Crosswoods was designated as an employment
center, it encompasses more than just office parks.
Several hotels and restaurants are located along
the southern and western edges of the area. Hotels
within this area include: Doubletree, Courtyard
at Marriot, Sheraton Suites, Homewood Suites,
Residence Inn, Quality Inn, Hyatt Place, Red Roof
Inn, and Motel 6.
16
Restaurants range between economical (e.g.

Chipotle and Winking Lizard) and expensive (e.g.
Ruths Chris Steakhouse and Columbus Fish Market).
This area encompasses a multitude of land uses,
which allow residents and visitors to enjoy this area
throughout the entire day.
ZONING MAP
City of Columbus GIS Data
17.1 The area is

predominately
zoned commercial,
which permits a
variety of uses
including offices,
restaurants,
apartments, and
hotels.
LAND USE MAP
City of Columbus GIS Data
Crosswoods
Crosswoods Building Footprint
Land Use Classification
400 - Vacant Commercial Land
403 - Apartments 40+ Family
404 - Retail/Apts Over-Walkup
410 - Motel/Tourist Cabins
411 - Hotel
420 - Small Retail Structure <10000
Crosswoods
430 - Restaurant/Cafeteria or Bar
434 - Building
Supper Club/Night
Club
Crosswoods
Footprint
435 - Fast Food/Drive-In Restaurant
Land Use Classification
436 - Family Restaurant/Dining Room
400 - Vacant Commercial Land
442 - Medical Clinics and Offices
403 - Apartments
40+
447 - Office Bldg
1 &Family
2 Stories
449 - Elevator OFC Bldg 3 STY
404 - Retail/Apts
Over-Walkup
460 - Theater
410 - Motel/Tourist Cabins
685 - Exempt Property owned by Church
411 - Hotel
420 - Small Retail Structure <10000
430 - Restaurant/Cafeteria or Bar
434 - Supper Club/Night Club
435 - Fast Food/Drive-In Restaurant
436 - Family Restaurant/Dining Room
442 - Medical Clinics and Offices
447 - Office Bldg 1 & 2 Stories
449 - Elevator OFC Bldg 3 STY
460 - Theater
685 - Exempt Property owned by Church
17.2 The existing

land uses show
that there are a
wide variety of
permitted uses in
the Commercial
District.
0.035 0.07
0.14
0.21
0.28
Miles
17
Columbus GIS
OUTREACH
COMMUNITY CLIENTS
H o w
d i d
w e
g e t
i n v o l v e d ?
Introductions
In the Fall of 2015, graduate students of the
Ohio State University City and Regional Planning
Program enrolled in a comprehensive planning
studio. The objective of this studio course was
to collaborate with the Crosswoods community
to design a plan for the future of the area. Lead
by Professor Chad Gibson, the Senior Planning
Officer for the City of Upper Arlington, the group
of 14 students undertook a semester long project
to engage the community and outline a solid
roadmap for the future.
Judy Lynam of Courtyard by Marriott and Patrick

Worley and Allison Frase of the Residence Inn
were particularly integral to the development of
this project. These clients expressed a need for
creating a new Crosswoods identity and helped
identify a path forward for the community so area
challenges could be met head on.
Ultimately, anyone who lives, works, or visits
Crosswoods is a client for this project. The purpose
of the Crosswoods Comprehensive Plan is to better
the quality of life for all who use this neighborhood.
This document was assembled to reflect the
thoughts of the community.
The clients for this comprehensive planning studio

are members of the Crosswoods community.
19
STAKEHOLDERS
[ ]
Who is invested in the area?
Stakeholder// Stakeholder-
a person or party of interest that may be

affected and or concerned by a particular
issue or area.
People
The stakeholders within the Crosswoods area are
residents, visitors, business owners, or any individual
or group of individuals that may be affected by
the activities of the area. Although an individual
may belong to one or many of these groups, all
the stakeholders have experienced the challenges
of the Crosswoods area in varying degrees. The
difficulties of access and wayfinding within the
area affect all those who travel to Crosswoods by
walking, personal vehicle, or bus. The improvements
needed to the infrastructure (e.g. roads, sidewalks)
uniquely affects these groups, providing a variety
of experiences to those of the Crosswoods area.
As a whole, all individuals who live, work, or visit
Crosswoods can be considered a stakeholder.
of the area. Residents and businesses, such as

hotels, restaurants, and the movie theater, and
those who visit these amenities may have different
recommendations on what should be improved.
Residents and hotel patrons may experience more
pedestrian activity issues than the businesses and
visitors, as they may be looking for an area with
greenspace, or a way to travel to amenities without
having to use their vehicles. Office employees
may be more affected by the traffic congestion
and way finding, as those coming into the area
to work generally arrive and depart at the same
time. Restaurants and visitors may have the same
issues with wayfinding, as the lack of signage for
amenities may discourage visitors from coming to
the entertainment businesses in Crosswoods. In all,
those who may be affected by any changes within
Crosswoods can be considered a stakeholder.
The different reasons why individuals are coming to

Crosswoods determines the degree in which these
stakeholders experience the positives and negatives
20
I really liked the fact that Crosswoods is a

nice, clean, and safe area. However, I do wish
there were more to do around Crosswoods. I
also wish there wasnt so much construction/
traffic.
21.1 Vivek Mandan,
Resident
I am new to Ohio and Crosswoods! I love

working in the area. Everything is so close and
I love the sense of community. I think one way
to improve Crosswoods would be to create
more of an outdoor shopping center feel. I
think sidewalks, character (outdoor seating,
water fountains, etc.), and more retail stores
would be a great addition.
21.2 Courtney Dahl,

Assistant Community
Manager, Central Park
Apartments
I love the Crosswoods area because they

have like 5 different restaurants and its great
for a dinner and a movie date night. I feel like
certain places are hard to get to and I have to
move my car a lot of times even if Im going
somewhere close. There also isnt a great
photo spot here.
21.3 Kayla Freitag,
Visitor
21
Communication...
22.1 Student-created website used to communicate project updates to community.
Media campaigns are a crucial component to

spreading any message. Our teams strategy was
divided into three sections: create a professional
website, utilize social media, and contact local
news outlets to increase community engagement.
page nad twitter account. The Crosswoods

website and social media campaigns were highly
instrumental when it came to helping the team
share updates on this project.
Step 3: Contact Local News Outlets
Step 1: Launching a Website
In October, the team reached out to several

media outlets. During the beginning of November,
ThisWeek Community News Worthington and the
Columbus Dispatch both released stories about the
project. In addition, Andrew King wrote an article for
ThisWeek Community News Worthington , the story
was published on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.
Mark Ferenchik wrote the article for the Columbus
Dispatch , which ran on Monday, October 19,
2015. Both journalists spoke with members from
the team. Without a doubt, contacting the media
helped promote this project across Columbus and
Worthington .
During the first month, the team used Weebly to

publish a Crosswoods website to help our team
centralize important data, devise a platform to
notify stakeholders about upcoming events, and
upload each of the three surveys so stakeholders
could complete them online. Columbuscrosswoods.
com contains several documents related to this
project such as the presentation and video from
the Midterm meeting.
Step 2: Social Media

Members of the team managed both a facebook
23
Community Survey...
24.1 Students created three surveys each targeting different members of the Crosswoods community.
Soliciting input from the Crosswoods community was

vital to creating the Crosswoods Comprehensive
Plan.
A significant amount of feedback was
provided through surveys, which targeted three
audiences whose experiences help to guide
recommendations: residents, business owners
and employees, and visitors.
Each of these
groups experience this space differently and use
community facilities during different times of the
day. For example, street lighting is an issue for
residents who are in Crosswoods in the evenings,
but not necessarily an issue for those who come
to Crosswoods during daytime hours. By reaching
out to each of these three audiences, the input
collected paints a more complete picture of how
different stakeholders experience the area, and
helps to formulate recommendations for potential
improvements.
The main objective for using surveys was to identify
challenges within the community, rank these
challenges by importance to respondents, and
highlight ways to enhance the quality-of-life for those
experiencing Crosswoods on a daily basis while
also drawing more visitors to the neighborhood.
The surveys were distributed through a number
of avenues to provide maximum opportunity
for participation.
All surveys were available
electronically on the Crosswoods Columbus website,
and students also distributed paper copies of the
survey to area businesses. Furthermore, students
attended local community events at Crosswoods
hotels, businesses, and apartment complexes in an
effort to collect survey responses.
25
Outreach Methods
Emails
Phone Calls
26.1 Emailing businesses was a crucial

component of our outreach efforts. Our team
took advantage of this opportunity to outline
objectives for improving the Crosswoods
area. In addition, the team compiled three
different types of letters. Our goal was to
use these letters to build relations with:
businesses, visitors, and residents. Another
element of our email correspondence
involved notifying stakeholders about public
meetings. The purpose of holding these
events was to inform the community about
recent updates and acquire additional
feedback.
Finally, the outreach team sent residents and
businesses an email informing stakeholders
about the final presentation on December 8,
2015. The objective of this meeting is to share
our findings, outline recommendations, and
present a final version of the Crosswoods
Comprehensive Plan to stakeholders.
26.2 The outreach team called

stakeholders
from
various
businesses such as restaurants,
bars, hotels, and entertainment
venues. A majority of these calls
were follow-ups to previous
emails. In addition, our team
contacted businesses that
didnt respond to earlier emails.
Since many businesses are
very busy throughout the day,
the outreach team wanted to
ensure our message was sent
successfully to stakeholders.
26
Walk-Ins
Events
27.1 Throughout the semester, the

outreach team visited Crosswoods
several times. Our team took advantage
of site visits by talking to managers and
distributing flyers about the survey.
The team decided it was best to pass
around paper surveys because they
are more accessible to the public
and everyone may not have access
to internet. Our group visited several
restaurants to speak with managers,
employees, and customers. Customers
were willing to share their thoughts and
provide feedback about the Crosswoods
area.
27.2 The outreach team attended three main

events during the semester. As a team, we
wanted to pass out more surveys and receive
additional feedback. One of the managers at
the Marcus Theater explained that since they
are very busy on Tuesday, it would be smart to
pass out surveys during that time. Members of
the team decided to attend a movie where
they were able to see the usage of the large
parking lot.
Residence Inn hosts a monthly food truck
event, where residents and other members of
the community gathers to eat with neighbors.
During this event, a few people took the survey
and talked to us about their reasons for residing
in Crosswoods.
Apartment complexes host events for their
residents throughout the year. For example,
Central Park Apartments hosted a Chase
Employee Happy Hour for their residents. The
complex allowed us to attend the event to
inform the residents about our project.
27
BUSINESS SURVEY
W h a t
i s
i t
l i k e
t o
w o r k
h e r e ?
What We Heard...
Businesses are an important stakeholder within
Crosswoods. Collectively they comprise of eleven
hotels, ten restaurants, and five office buildings.
These businesses are what make the Crosswoods
area thrive. Surveys were used to gauge how
employees not only felt about this part of Columbus,
but also to suggest future changes to enhance the
neighborhood.
employee stated that she has to leave her house

an hour early to make sure she gets to work on time.
Currently, the Ohio Department of Transportation
(ODOT) is working on the North Side Mega Fix.
Construction of this project began Fall 2013 and is
scheduled to be completed in 2017. This project
has caused major traffic issues in the Crosswoods
area. Once the expansion of U.S. 23 is finished,
congestion is expected to decrease. According
to our survey results, 23% of employees would like
to have more access to bike paths and other
forms of connectivity for pedestrians. Increasing
connectivity allows people to be less reliant on
automobiles because they could walk to various
destinations throughout the community.
This survey focused on three major themes. One

theme was employee transportation to and from
work. 87% of the employee respondents in our
survey reported that they drive their personal
vehicle to work. Very few respondents ride public
transit to their job. The Central Ohio Transit Authority
(COTA) has a Park and Ride in the Crosswoods area,
across the street from the Huntington Building. This
Park and Ride is the one of the most active transit
centers for COTA in their service area. Most of those
riders that utilize the Park and Ride work outside of
the Crosswoods community.
According to our survey participants, poor

infrastructure (e.g. lack of sidewalks, potholes, no
bike lanes, and poor lighting) is another serious
challenge within Crosswoods. Employees expressed
there is a major need to improve roads and install
sidewalks throughout the community. Business
owners believe that infrastructure improvements
will increase accessibility to their establishments by
area residents and visitors.
When asked about the biggest challenge facing

Crosswoods, 58% of respondents listed traffic
congestion as their largest concern. One hotel
28
BUSINESS SURVEY
Getting to Work
29.1 87% of employees that work in the
Crosswoods area drive their personal
automobile.
Chllanenges
29.2 The biggest challenge for employees in
the Crosswoods area is traffic.
Improvement
Desires
29.3 23% of employees would like to improve

connectivity for pedestrians and bikers to
other areas.
29
RESIDENT SURVEY
W h a t
i s
i t
l i k e
t o
l i v e
h e r e ?
What We Heard...
Although the residents of Crosswoods live within
walking distance to many restaurants, bars, and
attractions; over half indicate that they travel to
these attractions by personal vehicle. Reflectively,
the largest grievance reported by residents involve
traffic congestion, followed by infrastructure
problems and lack of available retail. A combination
of these issues are echoed by over half the residents
reporting that they do not come to the Crosswoods
area for entertainment, while a small percentage
stated that they come to the Crosswoods area for
the restaurants, bars, and the movie theater.
by a personal vehicle. Despite the reliance on

automotive transportation, the amenity most
enjoyed by residents is being located within the
Crosswoods area. Although it was stated that most
of the residents do not spend time within the area,
the second most reported benefit of living within
this area are the large amounts of restaurants
and bars. The most popular additional input to our
survey was the notion of a lack of greenspace,
followed by more input regarding the amount of
traffic that accrues within this area during peak
hours. The results from this survey are considered
in our final recommendations for the Crosswoods
area, as these residents are affected daily from the
amenities that Crosswoods lacks, and are one of
the first to benefit from improvements made to the
area.
The largest portion of these results come from

individuals between the ages of 18-25, though
there is not a correlation between the types of
issues reported and a specific age group. The
primary mode of transportation reported was
30
RESIDENT SURVEY
K
Area Strengths
31.1 Area residents feel the central location
within Central Ohio is a key asset to the area.
Daily Travel Mode

31.2 Most of the area residents get around
with a personal vehicle.
Neighborhood Travel
31.3 When going to local restaurants and
bars about a quarter of residents walked
while nearly 70% of residents used a
personal car for short trips.
31
GENERAL SURVEY
W h a t
i s
i t
l i k e
t o
v i s i t ?
What We Heard...
Visitors are an important demographic of the
Crosswoods area. With a plethora of restaurants
and hotels in the community, as well as a large
movie theater, visitors are a crucial population
because they support local businesses. By surveying
visitors our goal was to not only identify how this
population was using the area, but also receive
feedback on how to encourage people to visit the
area more frequently.
Another noteworthy survey result is that

approximately 42% of Crosswoods visitors come
to the area to see a movie or have a meal. This
highlights the popularity of nearby restaurants and
Marcus Theater. These businesses have a significant
economic impact on the community. Respondents
want to see more variety in retail options; in fact
they cited this as an improvement that would bring
them to the neighborhood more frequently. Despite
complaints about traffic, visitors are still coming
to Crosswoods because it offers amenities, which
shows the power of these businesses to attract
visitors to the area.
Three main themes emerged from the results of

the Crosswoods survey targeting visitors. Nearly all
of the visitors to Crosswoods travel to the area by
car. 60% of participants cited traffic congestion as
a major area in need of improvement. Furthermore,
45% of respondents cited the need for infrastructure
improvements, such as adding sidewalks and fixing
potholes, as the most important improvement
needed in the area. All of these responses are
ultimately tied to the overwhelming use of personal
vehicles in Crosswoods. The lack of sidewalks makes
it challenging for visitors to walk safely within the
area. For instance, visitors would not walk from a
movie to dinner.
Finally, when asked, 61% of Crosswoods visitors

stated that they would not want to live in the
Crosswoods area. This is reflective of the general
frustration with traffic and infrastructure in the area,
as well as the lack of connectivity within Crosswoods
itself. While there are new apartment communities
being developed within the neighborhood that will
draw new residents to Crosswoods, there is still a
generally negative perception of the area.
32
GENERAL SURVEY
K
How do you get to Crosswoods?
Getting to
Crosswoods
33.1 To get to Crosswoods, 90% of visitors
travel in a personal automobile.
Personal Car
Visiting
COTA Bus
Walking
Biking
Other
I go there [Crosswoods] mainly for the

movies. Occasionally to eat out. There
really isnt much to keep me there for long.
Drive in, park, watch the movie, maybe
eat, then leave.
33.2 42% of respondents stated they

come to Crosswoods to see a movie at
Marcus Crosswoods Cinema or to eat at a
Crosswoods restaurant.
- General Survey Respondent
Livability
33.3 61% of visitors to the Crosswoods area
did not respond favorably to the idea of
living in Crosswoods.
33
Public Meetings...
34.1 Public meetings are essential to gain communtiy feedback and make final reccommendations.
35.1 (Right Page).
Public meetings are an extremely important tool for

public engagement. It provides the community with
an opportunity to meet the team face-to-face and,
most importantly, for the team to hear the publics
first-hand accounts of the area. Public meetings
can have many components. Some of the tools
we utilized included a short overview presentation
of our material to that point, question and answer
session, public comments, and a design charrette.
Generally, public meetings are used to start a
dialog about an area or an issue. The team noted
the publics areas of interest which were used to
develop recommendations for the future success
of Crosswoods.
35
CHARRETTE
[ ]
Engagement Activity
Charrette// A charrette is an
intensive planning session where citizens,

designers and others collaborate on a
vision for development. It provides a forum
for ideas and offers the unique advantage
of giving immediate feedback to the
designers.

- The Town Paper
How does it work?

The best suggestions stem from those most familiar
to an area. In order to identify meaningful solutions,
its crucial to sample input from a multitude of
stakeholders. While much of the teams initial
research utilizes demographic data and visual
graphicsthese sources alone cant provide the
qualitative information necessary to formulate
precise recommendations. One method the team
used to acquire a deeper understanding of area
needs involved a design charrette.
environment. This charrette focused on enhancing

transportation, urban design and wayfinding, and
natural space. Aerial maps were used to not only
illustrate existing conditions, but to also provide
clients an opportunity to present their suggestions
towards improving the future of Crosswoods. In
addition, stakeholders offered team members
a fundamental understanding of current issues.
Numerous suggestions were provided; all of which
were taken into consideration for the final plan.
The three most prevalent suggestions included:
revitalize Crosswoods into a landmark destination,
improve pedestrian conditions, and increase open
space.
Hosting a charrette was a crucial component

towards our final recommendations. It provided an
opportunity for team members and stakeholders to
engage in conversations relating to the present-day
36
CHARRETTE
K e y
F i n d i n g s
Walkability
37.1 Stakeholders expressed serious
concerns regarding the existing
pedestrian environment in the area. Lack
of infrastructure, such as sidewalks and
crosswalks, leads to unsafe conditions for
individuals accessing the area on foot.
Additionally, stakeholders pointed out a lack
of connections to nearby Worthington and
Highbanks Metro Park.
Parking Lots
37.2 While the area features an abundance
of surface parking lots, it lacks adequate
natural space in the minds of stakeholders.
Some suggestions for natural space in the
Crosswoods area included incorporating
landscaping into the built environment,
building a community park, an off-leash dog
park, and a community garden for use by
area residents and restaurants.
Signs & Wayfinding

37.3 The area lacks unified branding, as seen
in existing signage within the area. In order to
reinforce the impression of Crosswoods being
a destination, stakeholders belive it is vital to
create recognizable signage and branding.
37
Transportation &
Access
The emphasis the public has placed on access

and transportation cant be overstated. Residents
shared a desire to walk and bike to local
attractions. With the area being mostly absent
of proper pedestrian infrastructure, it is difficult
for them to do this. Businesses raised concerns
about traffic congestion deterring a number of
potential customers. Residents and hotel guests
voicedfrustration with the lack of safe crossing at
intersections and in general crosswalks, as well as
the lack of speed limit signs.
Natural
Environment
Utilizing existing and creating new open space is

continually discussed by the influx of residents to
Crosswoods. The site is already home to a number
of underutilized green spaces, which are centrally
located. As apartment complexes continue to
develop the need to provide open space becomes
more crucial. Business stakeholders such as hotel
mangers have indicated the lack of green space
available to their guests is a concern. Our team has
received a number of suggestions as to what should
be incorporated into the open space: community
gardens, dog parks, and various programs for
residents and visitors.
Urban Design
Stakeholders indicated that the lack of wayfinding

in the Crosswoods area is a frustration. Individuals
touched on how the loop road hosts a number of
names, and how much of the signage is in poor
condition or is not located appropriately. Businesses
expressed support for community branding to give
the area a sense of identity. In addition, they noted
that there is a lack of cohesiveness with respect to
signage and overall appearance. Another element
of urban design is lighting. Limited lighting within the
area has also led to confusion and trouble locating
specific destinations. In some instances, the area
has been described as rundown.
38
39.1 Pedestrians forced to walk on the road due

to the lack of sufficient infrastructure.
39.2 Traffic and congestion indicators on E.

Campus View Blvd.
39.3 Newly constructed apartments located

at the corner of E. Campus View Blvd. and
Huntington Park Dr.
39.4 This large, unused green space located just

north of Marcus Theaters is centrally located
within Crosswoods.
39.5 In Crosswoods, the main loop road is switches

names three times.
39
39.6 This is an example of the poor condition and

use of signage throughout Crosswoods.
Opportunity Analysis
Strengths
Many of the hotels and restaurants in the Crosswoods area

are long-standing tenants that are invested in the areas
success. Due to its central location in the greater Columbus
area, Crosswoods has recently attracted the attention of
developers that are building new luxury apartments. These
include Central Park Apartments, Prescott Place, and the newly
opened Stafford House. The residents that this development
has generated are a built-in customer base for restaurants
and the Marcus Crosswoods Cinema. Crosswoods Cinema is
the only theatre in the immediate area with large, reclining
seats. This distinction helps bring people into Crosswoods,
where they are also able to eat at fine dining establishments
such as J. Alexanders, Ruths Chris, and The Fish Market.
Challenges
While Crosswoods location is a strength, it also serves as a

challenge. The ongoing construction associated with the
Northside Mega Fix is temporary, with an end date in 2017.
However, Crosswoods proximity to Polaris Mall is a more
permanent location-based challenge for the area. It is no
secret that the popularity of the Polaris Mall and its surrounding
development has put a significant amount of stress on the
Crosswoods area and its businesses. Another challenge that
Crosswoods faces is the way in which its infrastructure was
developed. The loop created by Vantage Dr., Hutchinson
Ave., and Huntington Park Dr. is disorienting for visitors trying to
find different restaurants and hotels. This roadway essentially
acts as a racetrack for cars, making it an unsafe situation for
pedestrians and bikers. Crosswoods, developed in the 1980s
and 1990s, has curbs, pavement, and landscaping that needs
repaired or replaced. This disrepair may act as a deterrent to
businesses interested in locating in the area.
Opportunities
With a prime location at the U.S. 23 and I-270 interchange,

Crosswoods is easily accessible from most parts of central
Ohio. It is also a great location for hotels because guests can
easily hop on the freeway to travel to other destinations within
the city. Crosswoods can use its location to its advantage by
offering access that is not available in other areas. Connections
to bike trail facilities that lead to Highbanks Metro Park are
also an option because of the proximity to existing trails. In
the future, Crosswoods could host a passenger rail station
located in the space near the current COTA Park and Ride.
Crosswoods has undeveloped space that can be converted
to public facilities such as parks, dog parks, and gathering
spaces. The large width of roads within Crosswoods area also
presents an opportunity because sidewalks can easily be
installed so that visitors and residents can walk to amenities
within the Crosswoods area.
40
41.1 Crosswoods regional connectivity is an

asset.
41.2 The popular theater and area

restaurants are a major draw.
41.3 Proximity to new suburban, retail is a

challenge.
41.4 Highway construction and traffic

management hinder the areas success.
41.5 Manicured corporate office is a great open

space amenity.
41.6 New residential development is an asset.

41
RECOMMENDATIONS
DEFINING INTERESTS
What are areas of opportunity for the future?
Introduction
Historically, Crosswoods was considered a regional
attraction. A large movie theater, fine dining, and
a collection of hotels drew in a considerable visitor
population to the community. Crosswoods is still
home to these amenities, but the area is a victim
to decline and the popularity of surrounding area
developments. With many of the popular central
features to Crosswoods present, the community
and the Ohio State Crosswoods Team believe
that this community can once again become a
popular attraction.
simple to complex and small scale opportunities

for improvement are intended to provide
momentum to the area in a quick fashion. Large
scale changes are likely to occur with proper
support and community buy in over a longer
period of time.
This section outlines in further detail the need for:
improved Crosswoods transportation facilities for
all modes of transportation, wayfinding to improve
accessibility and the understanding of surroundings
while solidifying a Crosswoods identity, and new
guidelines for over all land use within the area with
a focus on the development of open and active
green space. Through these recommendations,
the Crosswoods Team and surrounding community
have provided the basis for an improved
Crosswoods site that both builds on the strengths of
the area while addressing challenges.
Over the course of the semester, the Crosswoods

Team collected quantitative and qualitative
data from the community to formulate the
recommendations outlined in this section.
Such data was collected through in person
conversations, phone calls, emails, community
meetings, and stakeholder engagements. The
recommendations for Crosswoods range from
43
Focus Areas
Transportation
& Access
Natural
Environment
44.1
The
Crosswoods
area
currently
contains
a
transportation
network
designed to cater to the
automobile,
with
minimal
infrastructure
constructed
that enables pedestrians to
access restaurants and other
amenities. Wide roads, a lack
of sidewalks and crosswalks,
and the sites general layout
consisting of the long loop
road prevent visitors from
experiencing the area outside
of their car. The sites limited
accessibility, in addition to its
transportation network, may
be the most criticized area
characteristic, likely deterring
prospective residents, vistors,
and businesses.
44.2
The
Crosswoods
community is plagued by
a lack of green space,
as well as an abundance
of surface parking lots.
Recommendations
are
geared towards utilizing
existing open space to
provide residents and visitors
an amenity virtually unknown
to the area. Additionally,
this focus area touches on
the lack of selection in retail
dining options, ultimately
limiting the areas ability to
capitalize on attracting a
variety of visitors.
44
Character &
Wayfinding
Land Use
45.1 Stakeholders indicated the

need for improved wayfinding
throughout
Crosswoods.
The main loop road through
the site has multiple names
which causes confusion to
visitors. The poor condition
and inappropriate location of
signage is a further challenge
to visitors trying to reach their
destination. There is support
for community branding to
give the Crosswoods area a
cohesive sense of identity.
Limited
lighting
elements
within the site have also led
to confusion and trouble
locating specific destinations.
Improvements in character
and wayfinding to Crosswoods
will make the area more userfriendly and attractive.
45.2 The majority of the land area

within the Crosswoods site is already
developed and in use by apartment
complexes, hotels, restaurants,
the theater and office facilities.
What little space is undeveloped,
will most likely be fully developed
within the next few years. The
City of Columbus has designated
Crosswoods
an
employment
center. There is opportunity within
Crosswoods to create temporary
open space uses that will improve
the attractiveness of the area and
enhance the lifestyle of residents.
More retail within the area, as well
as a mix of price points for restaurant
options are further improvements
that would enhance the area,
improve long-term sustainability,
and attract more visitors to
Crosswoods businesses.
45
Transportation
&Access
46.1 Crosswoods residents walk amidst the construction.
Crosswoods has the potential to improve

transportation safety and regional connectivity,
as well as, implement different transportation
alternatives methods. Currently, the site is automobile
friendly; therefore, not providing opportunities for
alternative transportation methods, such as bikes.
Throughout various site visits, the lack of sidewalks
and connectivity presents Crosswoods as a nonpedestrian-friendly site. Residents, employees, and
visitors of Crosswoods emphasized the importance
of sidewalks which are currently lacking in the area.
in this section of the Plan. Ideas include providing

sidewalks and adding crosswalks and bike lanes,
which will allow employees, residents, and visitors
the opportunity to use the entire area outside of
a personal vehicle. A striping plan is included to
explain the details of potential changes for on-street
parking, turning lanes, bike lanes, and crosswalks.
The
following
transportation
and
access
recommendations will provide for a safer
Crosswoods area, offering more opportunities such
as walking or biking, for residents, employees, and
visitors.
Suggestions to improve Crosswoods to become

a more multi-motorized community are provided
47
KEY FINDINGS
What are the opportunities?
Lack of Sidewalks
48.1 Area stakeholders expressed serious
concern regarding the lack of sidewalks in
the Crosswoods area. As a result of the lack
of sidewalks and other essential pedestrian
facilities, trips that could be made using
alternative modes of transportation are
being made by car.
Auto-Oriented
Design
48.2 The roadway network within the
study area was designed solely with the
automobile in mind. Stakeholders expressed
concerns regarding the high speeds at
which vehicles often travel. High speeds and
existing roadway design not only discourage
the use of non-motorized transportation, but
also create unsafe conditions for all users,
including drivers.
Lack of Regional
Connectivity
48.3 Through outreach efforts, it became

clear that Crosswoods residents, employees,
and stakeholders felt the area lacked viable
non-motorized connections to nearby
destinations. As a result, destinations that
are located in close proximity to the study
area and would normally be accessible on
foot or by bicycle are being accessed by
automobiles, or disregarded completely.
48
OPTIONS
Concepts for addressing findings
Appropriate Bike and

Pedestrian Facilities
49.1 Stakeholders expressed major concerns
about the lack of pedestrian facilities in the
study area. It is crucial that sidewalks are
installed along all roadways and crosswalks are
striped at each intersection. Additionally, there
are currently no on-street facilities available
for bicyclists traveling through the area. It is
recommended that on-street lanes be installed
throughout the study area for cyclist use.
Transportation Safety
49.2 In order to improve safety for all roadway
users, it is important to install infrastructure that
will reduce vehicular speeds and improve
conditions for all users. Some traffic calming
measures that can be taken include, but are
not limited to: paved center medians, reduced
lane widths, reduced speed limits, and on-street
parking. Additionally, lighting should be installed
throughout the study area to improve visibility for
motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Improve Regional
Connectivity
49.3 The Crosswoods areas close proximity to
the City of Worthington, Olentangy Trail, and
Highbanks Metro Park allows for numerous
regional connectivity opportunities. Crosswoods
stakeholders should work with the City of
Columbus, City of Worthington, Columbus and
Franklin County Metro Parks to ensure safe
and viable connections to these neighboring
destinations. High Street connects Crosswoods to
these destinations, so creating a viable option for
non-motorized travel along this crucial corridor is
imperative. 49
Demand and Recommendations

The Far North Area Plan recognizes a connectivity
allow for commuter and recreational trips connects

to popular destinations like The Ohio State University
campus and downtown Columbus.
issue within the Crosswoods area. The mention of

limited pedestrian and bicycle access is followed by
a discussion on the abundance of natural resources
within the area, including Olentangy Trail and
Highbanks Metro Park which are located within the
vicinity. The increasing amount of residents within
the Crosswoods area is a cause for concern, as the
main mode of transportation reported by resident
surveys states that most residents travel by personal
vehicle. By recommending the improvement and
implementation of new and existing multi-use
trails, it makes connections to nearby destinations
using alternative transportation feasible, while
also reducing personal vehicle trips. With possible
partnerships with bike share programs such as
Zagster, individuals traveling to and from Crosswoods
will have a viable non-motorized transportation
option for commuting and recreational purposes.
The main entrance to Highbanks Metro Park

is located approximately 2.2 miles from the
intersection of Radio City Blvd. and N. High St.,
Crosswoods northernmost access point. The park
provides ample recreational opportunities for
Crosswoods residents, creating an imperative need
for a connection. There is a pedestrian access point
to the park located at the intersection of N. High
St. and Lazelle Rd., approximately 1.08 miles from
Crosswoods. It is recommended that the existing
sidewalk along the east side of N. High St. from
Radio City Blvd. to Lazelle Road be striped for twoway travel. A signalized crossing of N. High St. at
Lazelle Rd. and a sidewalk 8-10 feet wide striped for
two-way travel from Lazelle Road to the parks main
entrance should be installed along the west side of
N. High St. These projects would provide Crosswoods
area stakeholders with safe connections the
recreational opportunities Highbanks Metro Parks
provides.
Under existing conditions, the closest access point

to the Olentangy Trail from Crosswoods is located
off of W. Wilson Bridge Road at Whitney Park. This
access point is approximately 1.52 miles from the
intersection of N. High St. and Dimension Dr. It is
recommended that the existing sidewalk along
the east side of N. High St. be widened to an eight
foot minimum (if necessary) and striped for twoway travel from Radio City Blvd., south to W. Wilson
Bridge Rd. A similar facility should be installed along
the north side of W. Wilson Bridge Road from N.
High St to the access point at Whitney Park. This
project would provide a safe, viable connection
from Crosswoods to the Olentangy Trail, and would
In order to improve regional connectivity for

non-motorized users, it is recommended that
Crosswoods area stakeholders partner with the
City of Columbus, City of Worthington, Columbus
and Franklin County Metro Parks, and the Ohio
Department of Transportation to create safe, viable
connections to the Olentangy Trail and Highbanks
Metro Park.
50
Legend
Proposed
Entra
Laze
Whitn
Existing T
2.3 mi
Olent
Olent
Unkn
1.1 mi
Cross
1.5 mi
0
0.125 0.25
0.5
0.75
1
Miles
51.1 Map showing the proposed trail connections in the Crosswoods vicinity.
51
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics

Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS U
STRIPING PLAN
Introduction
Crosswoods is a typical suburban-style
commercial center with regional office
anchors. The area is known regionally for
access management issues. One solution
to improving Crosswoods is not engineering
away the access issues (i.e. making it easier
for patrons to come and go), but rather the
solution is to make it a place that people
want to stay. A first actionable and lowcost to step to making this a reality for
Crosswoods residents, corporate employees,
and area business patrons is to make the
streets of Crosswoods friendly for all users.
We are proposing a striping plan to the
City to address stakeholder concerns and
elevate the overall safety of public streets in
Crosswoods by balancing right-of-way priority
amongst buses, cars, cyclists, and pedestrians.

This proposal does not include any major
intersections along E. Campus View Boulevard
as those intersections likely warrant the existing
volume and staking space provided. This
proposal does include reallocation of street
space on Crosswoods loop road (Huntington
Park Dr., Hutchinson Ave., and Vantage Dr.),
High Cross Blvd., and Horizon Dr. The proposal
is organized by street name and further by
unique condition. For each area, the existing
and proposed conditions are summarized
along with a plan view of each. The first two
proposals that make up Phase 1 would simply
be new striping. Phase 2 would involve striping
removal and a traffic impact analysis.
Existing Plan
sion D
Vantage
Drive
Huntington Park Drive
High Cross Blvd
Dimen
Horizon
Dr
E. Campus View Blvd
Hutchinson Ave
52
This graphic is intended to

generally orient the audience
with the site as well as highlight
the exiting right-of-way widths in
the Crosswoods development.
Existing and proposed conditions
are summarized along with plan
view of each.
Proposal Details
Phase 1
Loop Road, Huntington Park Drive
Existing Context Map
South of Huntington Park-Dimension Connector, North of

Towne Place Suites Curb Cut
Existing
35 curb to curb
Two 17.5 travel lanes
sion D
Vantage
Drive
Hutchinson Ave
Dimen
High Cross Blvd
Proposed
35 curb to curb
Two 6 bike lanes
Horizon
Dr
E. Campus View Blvd
Huntington Park Drive Proposed Detail Plan
Benefits
N
53
The proposal takes two

extraordinarily wide travel lanes
and reallocates under-utilized
existing pavement to provide
narrower but adequate travel
lanes as well as bicycle facilities
on both sides of the street. Bicycle
accommodations will serve to
visually narrow the road and
make drivers more alert to other
users who are already present
including cyclists and pedestrians.
Proposal Details Cont. Phase 1

Loop Road, Hutchinson Avenue
East of Nevis Drive to curb cut north of Towne Place

Suites
Existing
35 curb to curb
sion D
Vantage
Drive
Hutchinson Ave
Dimen
High Cross Blvd
Proposed
35 curb to curb
7 parking lane on the south side of the
street (east of Nevis Drive to the curb cut
north of Towne Place Suites)
5 bike lane on the north side of the street
Horizon
Dr
E. Campus View Blvd
Hutchinson Avenue Proposed Detail Plan
Benefits
N
54
The proposal for this street section

formalizes the parking that is
currently taking place on the
south side of Huntington Park
Drive/ Hutchinson Avenue in front
of the Prescott Place Apartments.
Stakeholders have expressed
that this in an important source
of visitor parking spaces. Striping
the parking will give the allusion
of a narrower road, which will
hopefully help to reduce speeds
in this residential area. A bicycle
lane is also proposed on the
north side of the street to provide
residents and extended-stay hotel
patrons access to safe recreation.
Although not ideal, designated
bicycle lanes can serve as a safer
alternative for pedestrian who
currently walk in the street.

Loop Road, Hutchinson Avenue
East of Dimension Drive, West of Vantage Drive
sion D
Vantage
High Cross Blvd
Dimen
Horizon
Dr
E. Campus View Blvd
Drive
Hutchinson Ave
Existing
35 curb to curb
Two 12 travel lanes
One 11 center turn lane
Proposed
35 curb to curb
Two 6 bike lanes
Maintaining the turn lane at the
intersection of High Cross Drive
Hutchinson Avenue Proposed Detail Plan
Benefits
N
55

and reallocates underutilized
Maintaining the turn lane at
the intersection will avoid traffic
impacts along Hutchinson while
its removal elsewhere will improve
the functionally of the roadway.
Proposal Details Cont.

Loop Road, Vantage Drive
Phase 2
North of Hutchinson Avenue, South of Dimension Drive
sion D
Vantage
High Cross Blvd
Dimen
Horizon
Dr
E. Campus View Blvd
Drive
Hutchinson Ave
Existing
32 curb to curb
Two 11 travel lanes
Proposed
32 curb to curb
Two 11 travel lanes
Two 5 bike lanes
Vantage Drive Proposed Detail Plan
Benefits
N
56
The proposal takes two relatively

wide travel lanes and reallocates
underutilized existing pavement to
provide narrower but adequate
travel lanes as well as bicycle
facilities on both sides of the
street. Bicycle accommodations
will serve to visually narrow the
road and make drivers more alert
to other users who are already
present including cyclists and
pedestrians.

Loop Road, Vantage Drive
North of Dimension Drive, South of E. Campus View Blvd
sion D
Vantage
High Cross Blvd
Dimen
Horizon
Dr
E. Campus View Blvd
Drive
Hutchinson Ave
Existing
35 curb to curb
Two 12 travel lanes
Proposed
35 curb to curb
Two 6 bike lanes
Vantage Drive Proposed Detail Plan
Benefits
N
57


High Cross Boulevard
North of Hutchinson Avenue, South of Dimension Drive
Existing
Varies 34-35 curb to curb
Two 12 travel lanes
Vantage
Drive
Hutchinson Ave
sion D
High Cross Blvd
Dimen
Proposed
35 curb to curb
Two 6 bike lanes
Horizon
Dr
E. Campus View Blvd
High Cross Boulevard Proposed Detail Plan
Benefits
N
58

This section of road is a vital
corridor through the center of
the site connecting the northern
and southern attractions. The
stakeholder have expressed
desire for bike facilities in this
location to help connect hotel
guests to restaurants and other
points of interest.

Horizon Drive
North Huntington Park Drive, South of E. Campus View

Blvd
sion D
Vantage
High Cross Blvd
Dimen
Horizon
Dr
E. Campus View Blvd
Drive
Hutchinson Ave
Existing
36 curb to curb
Two 12 travel lanes
Proposed
36 curb to curb
One 7 parking lane on the west side
Right-in-right at intersection of Horizon Dr
and E. Campus View Blvd
Horizon Drive Proposed Detail Plan
Benefits
N
59
The proposal would provide

additional on-street parking to the
newly constructed apartments
to the west. Striping the parking
will give the allusion of a narrower
road, which will hopefully help
to reduce the speeds in this
residential area. Creation of a
right in right out on to E. Campus
View will avoid any traffic impacts
the removal of the turn lanes
would result in.
Zagster
60.1 Students reached out to Zagster, a bike share company, about options for the area.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
DELAWARE COUNTY
Major Destinations within 5 Mile Buffer

From Recommended Bike Share Locations
DELAWARE COUNTY
FRANKLIN COUNTY
DELAWARE COUNTY
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Polaris Mall
Columbus GIS
Highbanks
Metro Park
^
^
Sharon Woods
Metro Park
^
^
60.2 Potential bike

share locations and 5
mile buffer
Legend
Worthington
Mall
Bike Stations
5 Mile Buffer
0.25
0.5
1 Miles
Columbus GIS
Since Crosswoods is home to over 1,500 hotel

rooms, 5,000 employees, and 500 residents; a
bike share program is highly recommended for
this community. A bike share program involves
temporarily borrowing and returning a bike from a
designated station where helmets are also avaialble
for rent. Bike shares allow riders to either purchase
an annual membership or pay as they go.
and installation are also included in this estimate.

At least two stations should be installed to go from
one place to the other. The map to the left identifies
the recommended areas to install the bike share
stations. Each of the stations recommended have
a 5-mile buffer to express how far one can bike
on average in a 30-minute time frame. The bikes
can be rented for up to an hour without additional
charges. If a rider uses the bike for over an hour, an
additional charge will occur.
Our team contacted Dana Allender, a Regional

General Manager for Zagster. Zagster is a privately
owned bike share program. Dana strongly believes
Zagster can be huge asset to enhancing the
Crosswoods community. Zagster currently has
stations at The Ohio State University and Easton
Town Center.
Our team believes that with the support of two

or more of the businesses in Crosswoods, a bike
share program a reality. Similar organizations have
invested in Crosswoods amenities in the past. One
of the benefits to investing in the partnership with
Zagster is that the investors can choose to brand
the bikes. This can be a great marketing method for
all who invest.
Each Zagster bike share station contains five bikes,

and costs roughly $10,000 annually. Maintenance
61
Natural Environment
62.1 Most of the space in Crosswoods that is not occupied with structures is dedicated to parking.
One comment that repeatedly came up in

community and stakeholder engagement was
the lack of open, natural space in the Crosswoods
area. With an increasing amount of residents and
office workers, creating outdoor recreational
space is vital. The City of Columbus Far North Area
Plan even recommends that a park be developed
in the area. Two locations that could be improved
into usable outdoor space include the pond area
outside the Huntington building and the field to the
south of the Central Park Apartments. These areas
can be improved to contain a dog park, an area
for food trucks, and places to relax with an outdoor
meal during lunches and on weekends.
63
KEY FINDINGS
Lack of Green Space

64.1 According to our survey results, many
respondents expressed the need for additional
green space. Residents, employees, and visitors want
to spend more time outside. Currently, residential
and hotel populations are forced to look outside of
Crosswoods for recreation.
Places for Recreation

64.2 The Crosswoods community is home to a number
of dog owners. Although there is an area for dogs
south of the Central Park Apartments, it is not fenced
off and there is no seating for owners. With additional
residential development currently under construction,
as well as future development, it is important to
create a safe area for owners to have their dogs offleash.
Retail and Dining

Alternatives
64.3 The typical dining experience in Crosswoods

involves a high quality, lengthy trip. Limited options
are available for visitors to enjoy a more economic,
less time-consuming bite to eat. Additionally, retail is
nearly obsolete within the area.
64
OPTIONS
Addressing
Green Space
65.1 Additional green space could be used for a
variety of activities, including outdoor concerts,
movies, and community gardening.
Capitalizing on
Existing Spaces
65.2 One option worth consideration is expanding
upon the Central Park Apartments pet-friendly area.
Fencing it off and adding seating would make
the area safer for dogs and their owners. It is also
important to designate an area to the south of
Campus View Boulevard for the same use.
Retail and Dining

Options
65.3 Small-scale options are recommended to
jumpstart retail development and additional
investment in the area. One implementation strategy
is the construction of shipping container retail with
a park, as well as increased involvement from local
food trucks. The goal of such a strategy is to ensure
visitors have a variety of dining options to fit a wider
demographic, ultimately attracting more people
and investment to Crosswoods.
65
Open Space Renderin
Temporary Uses
66.1,66.2, 67.1
ng
Additional Green
Space
Dog Park
Character &
Wayfinding
68.1 Sign design, type, and number vary throughout Crosswoods.
Wayfinding is the ability for people to easily navigate

an area. Common indicators of places that are
easy to use are clear uniform signs, cohesive street
markings and design, and adequate lighting.
Design elements can make it easier for all users,
drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, to get around.
Successful communities are often easy to navigate
and intuitive for visitors and residents. Community
outreach efforts helped to highlight Crosswoods
wayfinding and navigability as a challenge
and an opportunity. This section recommends
various wayfinding options, through the creation
of a wayfinding plan, to elevate the usability of
Crosswoods.
69
KEY FINDINGS
Lack of Cohesive &

Directional Signage
70.1 Currently, the wayfinding in Crosswoods is
insufficient and it is hard to know what exactly
occupies the area. This sign is currently located
in the area by the Crosswoods Cinema. As you
can see it advertises nine different businesses that
are located within the center. However these
businesses are all that are announced and there are
additional businesses that occupy the area. One
recommendation is to to include a sign like this in
different locations in Crosswoods to advertise what
businesses occupy that particular location.
Context
Sensitive Signs
70.2 The Ruths Chris sign is an example of signs that

are typical to the Crosswoods area. Many of the
signs in the area are auto-oriented given the sites
location adjacent to I-270. Cohesive sign design
that is context sensitive to both to automobiles
and pedestrians could improve Crosswoods. It is
important to appeal to all visitors and residents
not just those that are traveling by car. It is
recommended that Crosswoods adopt a
uniform graphics plan to enhance visibility
and provide cohesive messaging.
Naming
70.3 This street sign is located between the Courtyard
by Marriott Columbus Worthington and Hyde Park
Steakhouse. It may look like a normal street sign,
but the other side of this sign bares the name of
a second street, Hutchinson Ave. The Marriott
carries an address that denotes that it is located
on Hutchinson Avenue and Hyde Park carries an
address that denotes that it is located on Vantage
Dr. The street is also called Huntington Park Dr. by
the Huntington Office building. It is recommended
that this street should be given one name because
multiple names can confuse people, especially
visitors to the area. 70
OPTIONS
Gateway
71.1 Implement gateway signage at the two
main entrances on both the west and east side
of Crosswoods. The Crosswoods logo created for
this plan can be used as the gateway signage
to remain consistent with the branding for the
community. Before signage is implemented, one
must take the architectural style and natural
environment of Crosswoods into consideration.
These signs should be permanent and made with
long-lasting, low-maintenance material. The height
should be where one can easily see at a vehicular
or pedestrian level.
Map
71.2 Implement a comprehensive and visible
area map that will guide visitors, residents and
employees to and from Crosswoods destinations.
The map should include recommended routes to
each destination, creating connections throughout
Crosswoods. For a first time visitor, this can create
a great impression by recognizing Crosswoods as
an organized and accesible community. Also, for
those who are not familiar with the community, this
map can help discover all that Crosswoods has to
offer.
The Loop
71.3 Rename the Crosswoods loop to one street name and
brand it in a unique fashion. Currently, the Crosswoods loop
has three street names (Huntington Park, Hutchinson Ave.
and Vantage Dr.). Having only one street name on the
loop can reduce navigational confusion immensely. Since
this street circles through the entire community, signage
should be implemented in a comprehensive manner for
location and direction purposes. The lettering size should
be large and visible to all users on the road. Crosswoods
should utilize a consistent and distinct design to reinforce
the branding of Crosswoods. These signs can also offer
direction to one of the many destinations. The outlying
destinations that are not accessed on the loop can be
identified with directional signage. Changing the street
name will require coordination with the City of Columbus
and area businesses.
71
u s e r - f r i e n d l y
v i s i o n
LVD
HIGH CROSS B
VA
NT
AG
E DR
K DR
VANTAGE
DR
DIMENSION DR
VD
HIGH CRO S S B L
HUTCHINSON D R
I-270
DIMENSION DR
PA
R
DR
HORIZON DR
DIMENS
ION
TO
* *
IN G
*
**
E CAMPUS VIEW BLVD
HUNT
*
*
CROSSWOODS DR
HIGH STREET/ US ROUTE 23
RADIO CITY BLVD
HUTCHINSON DR
LEGEND
*
*
**
E CAMPUS VIEW BLVD
Gateway Sign
Highway Sign
Map Sign
Street Sign
HUNTINGTON PARK DR
73.1 A wayfinding plan or map

graphically illustrates strategically
located signs, such as gateway,
street, and highway signs.
The
proposed Crosswoods gateway
signs should be placed near the
sites highest volume of traffic ingress
and egress to create, display, and
identify the Crosswoods brand and
area. Highway signs are tall in nature,
providing the driver a safe line of
sight to see upcoming amenities.
Two highway signs located to the
southwestern border of Route 23
and I-270, and the midpoint of E
Campus View Boulevard will attract
more visitors to the site. Crosswoods
proposed map signs display all
amenities located within the site
to guide pedestrians. The street
signs should be updated to display
names of amenities located along
the street with directional arrows for
extra guidance.
*
N
W
I-270
S
COLUMBUS GIS
73
Land Use
74.1 Land Use map of northern Columbus including the Crosswoods site.
SITE
The Crosswoods area has little undeveloped land.

Office complexes, hotels, and restaurants cover
the majority of land area with a smaller portion
belonging to retail and entertainment uses. The
few undeveloped properties have already had
development interest and will most likely be fully
developed within the next few years. This leaves
little room for alternative land uses outside of what
already exists in the area.
Additionally, the City of Columbus has designated
Crosswoods as an employment center, which
has a heavy focus on office oriented uses with
the inclusion of accessory uses like restaurants.
However, there are many existing conditions that
allow for the inclusion of land uses like open space
that are a community resource. Although it is unlikely
the undeveloped properties will remain in this state
long-term, the opportunity for temporary parks and
open space creates an amenity that improves the
lifestyle of the employees and residents for the near
future.
Within the existing classification of uses there are

opportunities for the enhancement of Crosswoods.
The presence of restaurants is easily recognizable,
but the variety of price points is severely lacking.
Many of the current restaurants are fine dining
establishments which have clearly been succesful
due to their long-term presence in the area. The
introduction of low to mid-scale options would
further improve upon the attractiveness of the
restaurants within Crosswoods.
With an emphasis on hotel uses and increase of
residents in the area, the need for essential retail
uses is crucial to these businesses. Many residents
express the need for additional retail which has
begun to be addressed with the completion of
some small retail centers. These conclusions derived
from the analysis of Crosswoods have created the
need to improve specific land uses that will increase
the sustainability of the center.
75
KEY FINDINGS
Highest and Best Use

76.1 Crosswoods has remained a highly developed
suburban style center since the early 1990s. The vast
amount of surface parking associated with the high
turnover uses has resulted in a minimal dedication
of parkland/open space. The preservation and
identification of open space is essential to offset the
overabundance of developed land area and provide
an amenity to the residents and visitors of the region.
Clustering of
Similar Uses
76.2 Restaurants are one of the main attractions to the
Crosswoods area. However, the variety of restaurants
at different dining price points is lacking as restaurants
such as Ruths Chris Steakhouse, J. Gilberts, and
Columbus Fish Market are all on the high end of the
fine dining scale. These establishments are essential to
the success of the Crosswoods area but there needs
to be a greater number of establishments with a lower
price point and faster turn around to cater to different
customers.
Lack of Resident
Oriented Services
76.3 The hotel and apartment developments create a
large number of temporary and permanent residents in
Crosswoods. With the current construction constraints
and lack of pedestrian connectivity the need for local
retail is a necessity. The development of two smallscale retail centers has provided an opening for the
retail market that can further enhance Crosswoods.
However, these centers currently lack the retail uses
that would provide much needed services within
the area. Uses such as convenience stores, specialty
groceries, or similar entities that is within walkable
distance of the hotels and complexes would greatly 76
benefit the community
OPTIONS
Establishing Open
Space
77.1 The integration of dedicated open space into the

Crosswoods community is essential for the success of
the area. Underdeveloped properties currently exits and
have sufficient space to provide this amenity for residents
and visitors. These properties are privately owned and
their future development potential poses an issue for
securing permanent open space for community use.
One alternative to permanent land use changes is the
establishment of temporary uses in areas such as the plot
next to the COTA Park and Ride. This open space would
operate as such until future development proceeds.
Diversify Existing Uses

77.2 The conversion of one of the existing vacant
restaurants to a mid-scale restaurant would improve
upon the range of eating venues within Crosswoods.
Introducing an establishment that incorporates the
dining aspect with a lower price point would offer the
missing piece of the restaurant market. Additionally,
employees and visitors to the area would have the
benefit of additional options in what is currently sitting as
vacant space.
Complimentary Uses
77.3 A convenience store or grocery store benefits both
the residents and visitors of Crosswoods. Currently, the
only grocery shopping options exist on the south side
of I-270, within the Worthington area. The separation
created by I-270 makes this amenity only available by
car, especially during the interchange construction
process. By adding a convenience store or grocer, the
residents of Crosswoods have the option of obtaining
essential items within a walkable distance.
77
I d e n t i f y i n g
O p p o r t u n i t y
RADIO CITY BLVD
LVD
HIGH CROSS B
E DR
VA
NT
AG
15
DIMENS
ION
13 11
12
HORIZON DR
PA
R
K DR
21
DR
DIMENSION DR
VD
HIGH CRO S S B L
14
17
9
HUTCHINSON D R
18
I-270
4 8
6
10 16
22
DIMENSION DR
VANTAGE
DR
20
TO
19
IN G
HUNT
HIGH STREET/ US ROUTE 23
CROSSWOODS DR
E CAMPUS VIEW BLVD
HUTCHINSON DR
Restaurants and Theatre

American
Bars & Grills
1 Bob Evans
Indian
6 Level One Bar + Arcade
Phone: 614-681-0518
M-Fri: 4pm-2:30am| Sat-Sun: 12pm-2:30am
Phone: 614-888-2711
Sun-Thurs: 7am-9pm
Fri-Sat: 7am-10pm
7 Ruckmoor Lounge
2 Subway
Phone: 614-846-7821
M-Fri: 7am-9pm
Sat: 8am-9pm| Sun: 9am-9pm
E CAMPUS VIEW BLVD
Phone: 614-681-0518
8 Slapsy Maxies
Phone: 614-505-7475
9 Winking Lizard
Asian
3 HC Way
Phone: 614-888-9908
M-Thurs: 11am-9:30pm
Fri: 11am-10pm
Sat: 12pm-10pm| Sun: 12pm-9pm
Phone: 614-785-9755
Kitchen Hours| M-Thurs: 11am-12am
Fri-Sat: 11am-1am
Sun: 11am-10pm
Bar Hours| M-Thurs: 11am-1am
Fri-Sat: 11am-2am
Sun: 11am-11pm
10 Wurst und Beir
Phone: 614-436-2437
Kitchen Hours| Sun-Thurs: 11am-11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-12am
Bar Hours| Everyday: 11am-1am
4 Lotus Grill
Phone: 614-781-8883
Sun-M: 11am-10pm
5 Sushiko
HUNTINGTON PARK DR
Phone: 614-985-6441
M-Fri: 11am-3pm| 4:30pm-10:30pm
Sat: 12pm-10:30pm
Sun: 4:30pm-9:30pm
12 Chutnys
Phone: 614-430-0090
Tues-Thurs: 11am-2:30pm
5pm-9:30pm
Fri: 11am-2:30pm| 5pm-10pm
Sat-Sun: 11:30am-3pm| 5:30pm-10pm
13 Persis
Phone: 614-430-0090
Sun-M: 9am-11:30pm
Italian
14 Bravo!
Phone: 614-888-3881
M-Thurs: 11:30am-9:30pm
Fri-Sat: 11:30am-10pm
Sun: 11am-9pm
Mexican
15 El Acapulco
Phone: 614-781-0751
M-Fri: 11am-10pm
Sat-Sun: 11am-11pm
16 Chipotle
Coffee Shops
11 Starbucks
Phone: 614-433-9640
M-Fri: 5:30am-9pm
Sat: 6am-10pm
Sun: 7am-9pm
Seafood
17 Columbus Fish Market
Phone: 614-410-3474
Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm| Sat: 11am-11pm
79.1 Similar to the wayfinding plan,

the amenities is a map guide listing
all Crosswoods attractions. This map
was created per the request of a
hotel stakeholder to provide hotel
guests an aesthetically-pleasing map
visual for finding their way around
Crosswoods. The amenities map can
also serve as a tool for future land
use opportunities, such as an infill
of moderately-priced restaurants,
hotel
chains,
and
residential
developments. A numbering system
is used to categorize and show in
more detail of the amenitys contact
information, along with hours of
operation.
N
W
Phone: 614-433-0221
Sun-M: 11am-10pm
I-270
S
COLUMBUS GIS
79
Steakhouses
18 Hyde Park
Phone: 614-438-1000
M-Thurs: 5pm-9:30pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm
19 J. Gilberts
Phone: 614-840-9090
M-Thurs: 4pm-10pm
Fri-Sat: 4pm-11pm
Sun: 4pm-9pm
20 Redlands Grill
by J. Alexanders
Phone: 614-847-1166
M-Thurs: 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm
Sun: 10:30am-9pm
21 Ruths Chris
Phone: 614-885-2910
M-Thurs: 4:30pm-9pm
Fri: 4:30pm-10pm
Sat: 5pm-10pm
Sun: 5pm-9pm
Theatre
22 Marcus Cinema
Phone: 614-841-1600
TOOLKIT
IMPLEMENTATION
T o o l s
a n d
T e c h n i q u e s
Introduction
Implementation is a critical component of any
good plan it can help bring about physical
changes that can lead to more investment in
an area. In this section, the Team has outlined
key implementation tools that can help raise
money, get projects built, and facilitate quality
development. The tools highlighted in this section
include Special Improvement Districts, Design
Guidelines, Tax Increment Financing, Grants, Crowd
Sourcing, and Federal Transportation Funding. The
Team has attempted to highlight the benefits and
challenges of each tool. When it comes to plan
implementation, the first project is often the most
difficult to get off the ground. However, this initial
time and effort is critical because it can ignite new
interest in an area.
as well as examples of the other successful SIDs in

the region. These include the Capital Crossroads
and Discovery, Short North, and Morse Road SIDs.
Furthermore, a general SID process diagram is
included to help familiarize residents, property
owners, and stakeholders with a general sequence
of events.
The Design Guidelines section is intended to show
the design details that future development and
redevelopment projects should strive to reach.
Design guidelines ensure consistent high-quality
form and materials throughout a community like
Crosswoods.
Examples of other funding options are also included
as tools that could be used to implement some of
the ideas included in this plan.
The Special Improvement District (SID) section

covers the financing structure and benefits of a SID,
81
Special Improvement
District
82.1 Morse Road SID has helped fund some of the design recommendations outlined in a 2000
study by the City of Columbus
Public infrastructure and service improvement

projects have become increasingly difficult for
local governments to finance with state or federal
funding support. Meanwhile, local municipalities
are also encountering fiscal challenges with the use
of their general tax revenues for these purposes.
Special assessments are a popularand growing
self-help tool available to private property owners
that can be utilized to fill the need for financing
infrastructure improvements.
governance is contingent upon coordination and

consensus among private property owners, as
the structure of the tool requires multiple property
owners to join together supporting one common
goal: improving their neighborhood. Some other
basic rules and regulations regarding SIDs in the
state of Ohio are:

SIDs are well-known for providing a reliable, stable

source of funding to a designated area. The
tool is designed to ensure a district collects and
maintains the same amount of revenue each year,
generated entirely from an extra assessment levied
on respective properties. Private property owners
are responsible for forming a SID as a means of
establishing a program for services or improvements
within a defined area, which are crafted to benefit
every participating property. District creation and
83
Private property owners must petition their city

council to create a SID
A SID is not a part of city government. It is a private
enterprise run by a private-sector board comprised
of at least four private property owners
A SID can be any size as long as properties are
contiguous
A SID can exist for up to ten years, after which it
automatically terminates. A SID can only continue
if the property owners circulate and sign another
petition
Private property owners may fund any services or
improvements they wish to see in their district
FINANCING STRUCTURE
H o w
d o
y o u
f o r m
S I D ?
Process
The SID financing structure is relatively
straightforward, as properties within a selfdefined area are assessed annually to fund
additional services and improvements that
the current level of tax is unable to finance.
Generally, property owners assessments will
not exceed 5% of what they pay in property
taxes annually. There are several assessment
methods available to potential SIDs to ensure
the new assessment is equitably distributed
throughout the entire district, all of which involve
a formula that incorporates each propertys
taxable value, as well as frontage along public
streets, alleys, and other right-of-ways. With
that said, the total assessments generated
should adequately fund the services and
improvements called for by property owners
within the district.
POTENTIAL ANNUAL REVENUE FOR A

CROSSWOODS SID
Total Market Value of Properties within proposed SID
$187,563,000
Taxable Value (35% of full market value)
$65,647,050
Annual Property Taxes*
$6,588,272
Potential Annual SID Assessment (5% of annual taxes)
$329,414
*Tax rate per $1k of valuation is 100.358995
84
BENEFITS OF A SID
S I D
C a s e
S t u d i e s
+Benefits
Creating a SID can lead to a number of benefits

for properties in the district, in addition to the
city government where the SID is located.
When used effectively, SIDs:
Tailor services to citizen demand. The city
provides many services regardless of citizen
demand, while a district provides only those
services that the community desires.
A
Can link costs to benefits. Only those who
benefit from district services pay for them,
while those who do not benefit do not pay.
A
Can positively impact commercial property
values due to infrastructure improvements
or beautification and safety services
A
Are very flexible in form and structure,
allowing for a range of community needs
to be met.
A
Protect local government fiscal health by
being separated from general municipal
finances.
A
Provide a reliable source of funding for
areas receiving less money from the state/
federal government to finance public
improvements.
85
a n d
B e n e f i t s
SID BEFORE + AFTER
W h a t
a r e
o t h e r
S I D s
D o i n g ?
Capital Crossroads/Discovery
86.1 Downtown before
86.2 Downtown after
Short North
86.3 Short North prior to SID creation.
86.4 The same location in Short North after
Morse Road
86.5 Morse Road SID boundaries
86
SID ACTION PLAN

A
P l a n
f o r
C r o s s w o o d s
Identify a Property
Owner to Spearhead
the Petition
The most crucial component of SID creation

is the role of the private property owner. For
a district to come to fruition in Crosswoods,
someone must lead the charge and gauge the
interest of other property owners with respect
to applying assessments throughout the area.
This will involve a great deal of coordination
and communication on the part of the leader,
with much of their efforts directed at bringing
people together around the unfortunate
circumstance of limited available funding
options for much- needed improvements. The
creation of a SID provides property owners
with that needed funding source.
Spread the Word

to Other Property
Owners
Once multiple property owners have united

under a common objective of SID creation,
the word has to continue to spread regarding
the impact a district would have on businesses,
residents, and the area as a whole. The
leader, or the group of property owners that
have been assembled by the leader, has to
disseminate as much information as possible
about the financing tool. The more people
know, the more likely the idea of creating a
SID gains traction throughout the community.
It is vital that there is a general consensus
among many property owners before a
petition is circulated. During this stage, it is
highly recommended to meet with city officials
before developing and distributing a petition.
Develop and
Distribute a Petition
to Property Owners
Throughout the
Crosswoods Area
As the idea of a Crosswoods SID continues

to gain traction with community leaders, a
petition needs to be developed and distributed
to each and every property owner. The first
two steps described above are imperative to
district creation due to the requirements for
approval. District creation relies on signatures
of property owners representing 60% or more of
the front feet along public streets, alleys, and
other rights of way, or owners representing 75%
of the land area. If the signature thresholds are
met, and the county and city approves, all
private property owners will be assessed and
provided services.
87
SID Process
How does it work over time?
88.1
Design Guidelines
90.1 Conceptual rendering of Design Guidelines recommendations.
The design guidelines in this document present

a comprehensive approach to street design,
wayfinding, and urban design for development
and redevelopment. Some of the recommended
guidelines may not be compliant with the existing
zoning. Therefore, our team suggests creating an
overlay zoning district to allow all recommended
guidelines to be approved and implemented. This
avoids the need to apply for variances or deviations.
Creating this type of policy requires approval from
the City of Columbus. This provision will ensure
that all future improvements and development
will abide by the design guidelines outlined in a
Crosswoods overlay zoning district.
One can take advantage of Crosswoods wide
roadways to provide more capacity and safety
for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit
riders. On the other hand, there are opportunities
to
encourage
compact
growth,
which
accommodates transportation choices. An increase
in connectivity and wayfinding facilitates all modes
of transit, furthering sustainable growth. Signage

should be visible for both pedestrian and vehicular
levels, and it is important for connecting people
from destination to destination. The integration of
land uses, transportation, and wayfinding through
urban design will reinforce peoples ability to live,
work, and play in a vibrant community.
91
All input gathered from the surveys and public

meetings conducted was considered when
establishing the guidelines. This was a collaborative
effort by residents, visitors, businesses, employees,
property owners, and other important stakeholders.
Public stakeholders include: Worthington Area
Chamber of Commerce, City of Columbus, Ohio
Department of Transportation, and the Capital
Crossroads Special Improvement District. Going
forward, Crosswoods needs a better plan for
continued growth and development. Our team
hopes to stimulate creative ideas for future street
design and development and facilitate the overall
vision and goals for the Crosswoods community.
I n f r a s t rPu
cture
rinciples for Design
Street Design
92.1
Parking
92.2
Walkability
92.3
92
Standards
Narrow streets by creating on-street

parking, bike lanes, and sidewalks.
Landscape streets through green medians
and curb-cuts.
Dedicated bicycle lanes are the preferred
option. The alternative would be creating
shared lane markings.
Roadways shall be well-lit, clear of debris,
and have appropriate signage.
Paved shoulders at a minimum of four feet

in width shall accommodate cyclists.
Install curb extensions as a traffic calming
method. Curb extensions may vary
depending on truck traffic.
Minimize impermeable surfaces and
maximize vegetation on streets as a
stormwater source.
Bus stops shall be shaded and well-lit.
Standards
Implement on-street parking on the
Crosswoods Loop.
On-street parking shall enforce slower,
cautious driving.
Temporarily, on-street parking shall be
striped.
In the long term, on-street parking shall
be implemented through green curb
extensions with markings in between.
Parking spaces should be a minimum of 20

feet in length and 8 feet in width.
Curb extensions shall be landscaped with
planters and kept at a low height to avoid
vehicular obstruction.
No parking at intersections. On-street
parking shall be a minimum of 20-50 feet
from an intersection.
Parking restrictions shall be enforced
through signage.
Standards
Sidewalks shall be a part of a continuous
network.
Street lamps shall be provided for
sidewalks, transit stops, and other areas of
night-time pedestrian activity.
Sidewalks shall be connected with
crosswalks.
Minimum sidewalk width shall be 5 feet.
Provide a buffer between sidewalks and
roadways through planting strips.
Crosswalks shall be striped or bricked.
Crosswalks shall be well lit through options

such as HAWK lighting, rectangular rapid
flash beams or pedestrian hybrid beacons.
On wider roads, provide mid-block
crossing.
Both sidewalks and crosswalks should be
ADA compliant through ramps, detectable
warning pads, level landings, and having
crosswalk buttons at a wheelchair level.
Maximize tree canopy cover for shading
purposes.
93
Wayfind
ing
Principles for Design
Branding
94.1
Navigation
94.2
Place Making
94.3
94
Standards
Crosswoods shall have its own, individual,
personalized logo.
Logo shall be clear, and visible at a
vehicular or pedestrian distance.
Logo shall be branded on all signage.
Signage shall be visible to both U.S. 23
and I-270.
Gateway signage shall be located on
the eastern and western Crosswoods
boundary off Campus View Boulevard.

Consider web-based, mobile-messaging
technologies for interpretative signage.
Branding can be promoted through
printed materials.
Use the same street name consistently on
the Crosswoods loop.
Work towards creating a great first
impression.
Standards
Install pedestrian signage such as kiosks,
maps, and directional signs.
Kiosks shall be located at strategic
intersections.
Information Kiosks shall use technology as
a facilitator for providing information to
visitors.
Signage shall clearly state that people
have arrived at their destination.
Terminology must be kept short and easily
understood by any visitor.

If any abbreviations are used, ensure they
are commonly known.
All navigational signage shall include the
braille system for those who are disabled.
Establish primary vehicular and pedestrian
routes. Best route may not be the shortest
or quickest.
Popular destinations shall have printed
maps for those to take.
Standards
Provide visitors with a sense of place in the
built environment.
Logo shall be unique to the community.
Crosswoods boundaries shall be properly
defined.
Signs shall validate that a destination is
worth visiting.
Close the gap of missing or passing
Crosswoods by having signage visible at a
pedestrian level to those who are driving
on the interchange.
95
Have signage facilitate parking issues by

defining the use for each parking lot.
Signs at parking lots shall indicate that
parking is available for one or many
destinations.
Cluster destinations that are physically
connected to one another onto one sign.
Promote economic development by
making connections between destinations.
As new development goes through, the
developer shall be required to apply
signage in compliance to these guidelines.
R e d e v eP rli noc i ppl e m

ent Characte
s for Design
Architectural
Style and Building
Materials
96.1
Amenities
96.2
Site Design
96.3
96
er
Standards
Use design elements that are visually
intriguing and consistent with other
streetscape materials.
Structures should consist of natural and
durable materials.
No building shall be identical from another
building adjacent. Buildings shall be
designed for a clear and defined transition
from one another.
Vary the layout of primary buildings and
outlot buildings. The use of outlots are
desirable to mitigate the view of large
Standards
Amenities such as outdoor play areas,
water features, and seating areas shall be
considered.
Bike racks shall be furnished to encourage
use of alternative transportation modes.
Benches shall be provided near drop off
areas and entryways to major buildings.
Benches shall be provided at prime
pedestrian locations and transit stops.
Waste and recycling receptacles shall
parking lots from the public streets.

Recognizing that buildings shall be visible
from great distances such as the U.S. Route
23 and Interstate 270 Interchange.
Buildings shall be designed to provide
human scale interest through architectural
detail, color, and materials.
When feasible, loading areas should not
be visible from public roadways or parking
areas.
Dumpsters shall be located in the least
visible locations and be fully screened with
material similar in design to the associated
building.
be provided at building entryways, transit

stops, and pedestrian areas.
Bus shelters shall be provided at transit stops.
Water feaures shall be installed at ponds.
Provide pedestrian scale lighting to ensure
safety on sidewalks and crossing areas.
Use available open space as a dog park,
playground, community garden or public
plaza.
Standards
With new development, structures shall
be built with minimal storefront setbacks
at roadways to create a more walkable
environment.
Locate site access points as far as possible
from street intersections.
Provide common or shared entries.
Entrances and parking lots shall be inviting
with walkways.
Landscape should be considered as an
integral and complementary element for
97
site design.
Provide landscape islands at the ends of
parking rows.
Encourage a minimum parking standard
to reduce the appearance and scale of a
large parking lot.
Be aware of the potential effect of icing
and snow buildup on pedestrian and
vehicular areas.
Lighting shall be provided for a safety and
consistent appearance.
Other Funding
98.1 Graphic of how Tax Increment Financing works.
Funding for improvements to a neighborhood such

as Crosswoods can come from a number of different
sources. These sources range from more traditional
methods, such as governmental sources, to the unique,
such as crowdsourcing. By activating different funding
avenues, a community can better drive investment
in their area and access the multitude of available
financial resources that are necessary for sustained
area improvements.
Crowdfunding is a more unconventional method of

raising money within a community, but has proven to be
effective in cases where a community can rally around
a meaningful project. This tool has the potential to be a
viable option for smaller projects or community based
events that could benefit the Crosswoods community.
To access many of the funding resources outlined in this
section, it is vitally important for Crosswoods to have
a champion and organizational structure to complete
applications, follow up with funders, and rally the
community in support of investment from different
organizations. Without a person or group of people in
this role, some of these funding options are not even a
possibility as certain funders require that applications
be submitted from nonprofits or community groups. A
strong advocate for investment in Crosswoods is an
absolute must to the success of tapping into these
different funding sources.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is the leading economic

development tool nationwide. This tool helps provide
financing for hundreds of projects annually across
the country, and is especially popular in the state of
Ohio. TIF is conceptually similar to special assessments,
as both are value-capture tools that enable local
governments to capture any increase in value following
investments in infrastructure. Grants are available from
a plethora of private organizations as well as different
governmental entities such as the federal government.
99
O p t i o nO t hse r f u n d i n g t o c o n s i d e r
TIF
TIF allows local governments to invest in infrastructure and

other improvements by capturing the increase in property
tax revenues generated by the enhancements. Similar to
SIDs, many TIF deals encompass a defined district area.
However, the Crosswoods area is more likely to utilize
the tool on a project-specific basis, which involves an
issuance of debt on the part of the local government to
assist with costs for a single project or piece of property.
Building demolition or rehabilitation, land acquisition,
and various infrastructure needs are examples of costs
associated with many TIF projects. Once the project is
funded and operating, a local government captures
the tax revenue, or increment, above the initial assessed
value of the project during the life of the TIF agreement.
The increment becomes a repayment stream for debt
used to finance some aspects of what is driving the
increase, such as retail, commercial, residential, or mixeduse development.
This tool may be an option for financing future
development projects in the Crosswoods area. On the
surface, TIF is designed to redevelop vacant structures,
or spur development where it otherwise may not occur.
Central Park Apartments is an example of an existing
TIF project in the area. There are several other pieces of
property that could utilize TIF in Crosswoods, most notably
the vacant Champps Restaurant & Bar.
Grants
Grants are financial contributions given by an organization

or government for a particular purpose to an individual
or group. In the context of community and economic
development, grants can be used for everything from
infrastructure improvements to building community
events.
An example of a grant that would potentially be beneficial
to Crosswoods is a community garden grant program that
the City of Columbus and Franklin County run through the
Columbus Foundation. The funding distributed through
this grant supports both existing community gardens and
the creation of new gardens. Crosswoods is located within
the grant program eligibility area and funding can come
in the form of both dollars and in-kind product donations
from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.
However,
this program requires that applications come from a
Registered Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code organization, an Area Commission, government
agency, or have a fiscal sponsor (City of Columbus and
Franklin County Community Gardens Grant Program).
This highlights the need for Crosswoods to have some
sort of champion organizational structure to support the
ongoing efforts to better the community.
100
+Benefits
TIF is extremely effective in providing
gap financing for a particular project or
improvement.
TIF allows a community to allocate resources
on a project-by-project basis for a range of
improvements and uses.
A single project can be the catalyst for
private investment that turns an entire
neighborhood around.
-Challenges
+Benefits
Grants are a way of tapping into the
financial resources of major companies and
organizations such as an area foundation.
By applying for and receiving grants, a
community can eliminate some of the
burden on citizens and local government
to pay for community and amenity
improvements.
By using grant funding in meaningful
ways, communities can show their local
government that they are serious about
community improvements. This can help
to drive further investment within the
community.
101
TIF is a complicated legal and transaction

process with many parties involved.
TIF is known to be a risky investment on
the part of the local government due to
success hinging on a propertys ability to
improve in value over time.
Agreements exceeding 10 years require
school district approval because of the
diversion of property tax revenues in a TIF.
-Challenges
Grants often must be applied for by an

organization such as a 501(c)(3) non-profit
or Area Commission. Since Crosswoods
does not have either of these organizations,
they are reliant on the City of Columbus
as a governmental agency to apply for
grants on their behalf. The creation of a
Crosswoods SID would help to alleviate this
challenge.
The grant application process can often
be highly technical and is more likely to be
successful when written by an applicant
with previous grant writing experience. To
hire someone for this sort of position would
cost money that Crosswoods does not
currently have.
Grants can be highly competitive as a
large number of nonprofits and community
organizations rely on grant funding for their
operations.
O p t i o nO t hse r f u n d i n g t o c o n s i d e r
Crowd Funding
Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project

or venture by raising many small amounts of money
from a large number of people, typically via the
Internet (Oxford Dictionaries). The practice of
crowdfunding is not new, but its popularity has
grown rapidly in the past few years for everything
from raising money for a family facing unexpected
hardships to raising start-up costs for a new
business. Crowdfunding allows for groups to tap
into donor potential across a market and to accept
contributions in small denominations. By harnessing
the power of a large number of donors at a lower
dollar figure, communities and causes can raise
significant amounts of money for meaningful
projects.
With a growing population in the Crosswoods area
due to the completion of new apartment projects,
there is the potential to fundraise from new residents
who would use new amenities and participate in
community-based events. It might also be possible
to use crowdfunding resources in conjunction with
community businesses who would host events or
co-sponsor projects.
Federal and State

Funds
There are many state and federal funds available

for transportation projects in Ohio. Often there
are many requirements that a project must meet
in order to be eligible for these funds. The table to
the right highlights the diversity of programs that
are available for projects that have a bicycle or
pedestrian connectivity component. Additional
information with respect to eligibility for each of the
programs is included in the appendix.
102
+Benefits
There is very little overhead cost to
crowdfunding. By using websites such as
GoFundMe.com, kickstarter.com, and
Indiegogo.com, campaigns are able to
get the ball rolling quickly and easily spread
their message through social media and
other electronic communication.
Crowdfunding is an easy, efficient way
to collect funds from donors. Those who
wish to support a cause can donate from
anywhere in the world as long as they have
access to a computer, internet, and a
credit card.
-Challenges
Successful crowdfunding is often around a

cause that tugs at the heartstrings. Projects
such as infrastructure improvements pose a
challenge in terms of explaining to people
why the improvements are important and
why they should donate.
Crowdfunding sites often charge a small
fee or percentage of donations as the
cost of using their platform and services.
While this is often a nominal amount, it is
important to factor these costs into the
overall fundraising goal for a project.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Funding Sources
Potential funding eligibility for pedestrian and bicycle projects under federal highway and transit progr
Bicycle Lanes on Roadways

Paved Shoulders
Signed Bike Route
Shared Use Path/Trail
Single Track Hill/Bike Trail
Spot Improvement Program
Maps
Bicycle Parking Facilities
Bicycle Share
(Capital and Improvement Costs Only; Operations Not
Bicycle Service/Storage Center
Sidewalks, New or Retrofit
Crosswalk, New or Retrofit
Trail/Highway Intersection
Signal Improvements
Curb Cuts and Ramps
Traffic Calming
Police Patrol
Technical Assistance
103.1 Part of a table showing program requirements.
103
TAP
CMAQ
STP
HSIP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
RTP
X
X
NHP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
APPENDIX
WORKS CITED
Introduction
12.2: 2010 Census Data: http://factfinder.census.

gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
1.1: City of Columbus
13.1: City of Columbus GIS Data
1.2: City of Columbus

3.1: City of Columbus; Far North Area Plan

gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
14.1: Franklin County Auditor
15.1: Franklin County Auditor
4.1: City of Columbus; Connect Columbus Plan
17.1: City of Columbus GIS
5.1: COTA, NextGen Plan
17.2: City of Columbus GIS
6.1: Drink Up Columbus: http://drinkupcolumbus.

com/2013/01/08/ruckmoor-pub/
* All Headshots on Meet the Team Page Taken by

Brandon Creagan and Edited by Logan Stang
6.2: Columbus Public Library Search: http://

digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org/cdm/
compoundobject/collection/ohio/id/19670/rec/4
Outreach
21.1: Photo Provided by Vivek Mandan
7.1: Google Earth
21.2: Photo Provided by Courtney Dahl
7.2: Goggle Earth
21.3: Photo Provided by Kayla-Freitag
8.1: Taken by Billynda Lyon
11.1: Taken by Shannon Fergus
24.1: Google Survey Engine Image
11.2: Taken by Brandon Creagan
26.1: http://letoidumoi414.blogspot.
com/2015/02/logo-gmail.html

26.2: http://letoidumoi414.blogspot.
com/2015/02/logo-gmail.html
27.1: Google Survey Engine Image
11.6: http://www.dispatch.com/content/
graphics/2014/11/18/rest-1118-art0-g9lv685k1rest-1118-3-jpg.jpg
27.2: http://www.facebook.com/
MarcusPalaceCinema

gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml &
http://www.referenceusa.com/UsBusiness/
Result/3b2b8ddf677f4092b50dd4151d52c0b8
29.1: Google Survey Engine Results

105
41.6: http://www.prescottplacehomes.com/
uploads/4/9/1/3/49135999/8576128.jpg

Recommendations
44.2: Taken by Jessyca Hayes
35.1: Poster Created By Jessyca Hayes
48.2: Taken by Jessyca Hayes
48.3: Yelp - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/

highbanks-metro-park-lewis-center?select=cdLm
8Oy5Ip5UrMLuVHPc0g

39.1: Taken by Loudan Klein
49.1: Liz Krolik-Alexander - http://blog.tstc.

org/2013/09/17/what-complete-streetsimplementation-looks-like/
39.3: http://www.dispatch.com/content/
graphics/2015/10/19/delaware-market-1.jpg?__
scale=w:660,h:464,t:1,c:ffffff,q:80,r:1
49.2: Source: Federal Highway Administrationhttp://pedbikesafe.org/PEDSAFE/

countermeasures_detail.cfm?CM_NUM=22
49.3: Google Street View- https://www.google.

com/maps/@39.9832051,-83.0642221,71m/
data=!3m1!1e3

51.1: Map Created By Nicholas Warren From

MORPC Data
41.1: Map Created by Nicholas Warren with City

of Columbus Data
Pg. 52-59: Data is from the City of Columbus GIS
41.2: http://photos.cinematreasures.org/
production/photos/34881/1328157808/large.jpg?
1328157808
60.1: http://jmfproperties.com/wp-content/
uploads/2014/07/2014-09-20-07-09-172014-09-2006-12-52ZAG_1.jpg
41.3: http://img1.10bestmedia.com/Images/
Photos/151822/polaris-fashion-place-3510938623dd6e7966bd-o_54_990x660_201404230316.jpg
60.2: Map Created by Michele Boni with City of

Columbus and MORPC Data

106
uploads/2013/10/Temporary-mini-golf-course-1.
jpg
77.2: https://anotherfoodcritic.files.wordpress.
com/2012/10/img_1712.jpg
64.3: https://s-media-cache-ak0.
g2f/71/3a/2f713a4edf81267475280985aae1703a.
jpg
77.3: http://multimedianewsroom.us/wp-content/
uploads/2013/10/IMG_1774.jpg
65.1: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.
ssf/2009/08/ericka_guynes_
earl_boyles_elem.html
79.1: Amenity Map Created By Billynda Lyon
65.2: http://behbg.com/idea/dog-park/
Toolkit
65.3: CASTO and EDGE Group Landscape

Architects Rendering of Franklinton Proposal
82.1: http://image.slidesharecdn.com/mordraft090817210314-phpapp01/95/morse-road-designstudy-17-728.jpg?cb=1250543009
66.1: Rendering by Billynda Lyon

86.1: Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special

Improvement Districts
86.2: Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special

Improvement Districts
68.1: Taken by Audrey Porter

86.3: http://www.columbusunderground.com/
the-short-north-a-former-junkie-hangout

86.4: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File:Lemongrass.jpg
71.1: http://www.woodlandsigns.com/entrancefeatures.php
86.5: https://columbus.gov/Templates/Detail.
aspx?id=69816
71.2: Wayfinding and Signage Master Plan City

of Sarasota Section 4.4
88.1: Diagram by Shannon Fergus

71.3: Wayfinding and Signage Master Plan City

of Sarasota Section 4.6
92.1: Created by Loudan Klein
73.3: Created Billynda Lyon with Columbus GIS

Map
92.2: North Carolina Department of

Transportation. (July 2012). Complete Streets
Planning and Design Guidelines
74.1: Far North Area Plan
92.3: City of Charlotte (2007). Urban Street Design

Guidelines. Retrieved from Charlotte Department
of Transportation.
76.1: Taken by Audrey Porter

76.2: https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/736x/c1/03/ef/
c103ef8309336fa04a72a906ce3f7779.jpg

76.3 Taken by Shannon Fergus
77.1: http://popupcity.net/wp-content/
107
96.1: Dyer, Jessica. (2013). Mixed-Use Plaza

Planned for W. Central. Albuquerque Journal.
Retrieved from: http://www.abqjournal.
com/285405/biz/mixeduse-plaza-planned-for-wcentral.html
3. North Carolina Department of Transportation.

(July 2012). Complete Streets Planning and
Design Guidelines.
4. Neighborhood Streets Project Stakeholders
(2000). Neighborhood Street Design Guidelines:
An Oregon Guide for Reducing Street Widths.
96.2: Ithaca Commons. (April 2015). Construction

Happenings. Retrieved from: https://
ithacacommons.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/
construction-happenings/
5. New York City Department of Transportation.

(2013). Street Design Manual. Second Edition.
6. HNTB. (2006). Commercial Design Guidelines:
Southwest Community Area. City of Naperville,
Illinois.
96.3: HNTB. (2006). Commercial Design

Guidelines: Southwest Community Area. City of
Naperville, Illinois
7. City of Lafayette. (2007). Commercial

Development Design Guidelines. City of
Lafayette.
98.1: http://www.garlandedp.com/media/
garland-tif-districts-4.jpg
Grants
103.1: Trail Connections Map Created by Jason

Shender
1. City of Columbus and Franklin County

Community Gardens Grant Program. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 13, 2015, from http://
columbusfoundation.org/nonprofit-center/
grant-opportunities/columbus-foundation-grants/
city-of-columbus-and-franklin-county-communitygardens-grant-program
Appendix: In-Text
Citations
Recommendations (Not In-Text, but should be
included)
Crowdfunding
1. Lindsey et al. (2015). The Impact of Central

Ohio Trails.
1. Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford University Press, n.d.

Web. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/
definition/american_english/crowdfunding
SID
1. Stouffer, S., Rittenberg, J., & Smith, T. (2015).
Special Assessment Districts. In Tax Increment
Finance Best Practices Reference Guide (Vol. 2).
Council of Development Finance Agencies.
2. M. Conte & L. Defendiefer, personal

communication, October 15, 2015.
Design Guidelines
1. Hiller Architecture Inc. (May 2010). City of
Sarasota: Wayfinding Master Plan.
2. City of Charlotte. (2007). Urban Street Design
Guidelines. Retrieved from Charlotte Department
of Transportation.
108
RESOURCES
Pedestrian and Bicycle Funding
KEY
Color Code
Meaning
Continuing program and eligibility
Federal funding available until expended. Not a continuing
program under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st
Century Act (MAP-21).
Abbreviation
Funding Program
TAP
Transportation Alternatives
CMAQ
Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement
STP
Surface Transportation Program
HSIP
Highway Safety Improvement Program
RTP
Recreational Trails Program (State may opt out)
NHPP
National Highway Performance Program
FLTP
Federal Lands Transportation Program
UZA
Urbanized Area Formula Program
402
State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program
SGR
State of Good Repair Grant Program
BBF
Bus and Bus Facilities
5310
Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
SRTS
Safe Routes to School
BYW
Scenic Byways
FLH
Federal Lands Highway Program
TCSP
Transportation, Community and System Preservation
JOBS
Access to Jobs/Reverse Commute
FTA
Federal Transit Capital
FTA-TE
Transportation Enhancements
Information derived from a table provided to Central Ohio Communities by the Central Ohio Greenw
The full table can be found at http://www.centralohiogreenways.com/index.php/resources
109
Bicycle Lanes on Roadways

Paved Shoulders
Signed Bike Route
Shared Use Path/Trail
Single Track Hill/Bike Trail
Spot Improvement Program
Maps
Bicycle Parking Facilities
Bicycle Share
(Capital and Improvement Costs Only; Operations Not
Bicycle Service/Storage Center
Sidewalks, New or Retrofit
Crosswalk, New or Retrofit
Trail/Highway Intersection
Signal Improvements
Curb Cuts and Ramps
Traffic Calming
Police Patrol
Technical Assistance
110
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
STP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
CMAQ
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
TAP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
HSIP
X
X
RTP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NHPP
Potential funding eligibility for pedestrian and bicycle projects under federal highway and transit programs.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Funding Sources
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
FLTP
X
X
X
X
X
X
UZA
Pedestrian and Bicycle Funding
Crosswoods Columbus Logo
111
112
Market Value
$
4,976,400.00
$
6,500,000.00
$
1,350,000.00
$
404,900.00
$
1,900,000.00
$
4,995,200.00
$
356,000.00
$
6,200,000.00
$
1,350,000.00
$
1,350,000.00
$
9,501,200.00
$
5,079,200.00
$
7,317,000.00
$ 10,100,000.00
$
67,700.00
$
4,000,000.00
$
4,400,000.00
$
440,200.00
$
2,000,000.00
$
8,582,300.00
$ 20,550,000.00
$
1,185,400.00
$
2,346,400.00
$
3,500,000.00
$
104,800.00
$
2,150,000.00
$
6,223,200.00
$
138,300.00
Parcel ID
610-198380
610-192340
610-224777
610-226812
610-264127
610-192709
610-232021
610-198388
610-232022
610-263603
610-198379
610-199537
610-240053
610-215198
610-198639
610-208804
610-201411
610-201410
610-192705
610-208792
610-209009
610-192713
610-250019
610-211628
610-198378
610-237529
610-204224
610-192702
Address
1 Campus View Boulevard
100 E. Campus View Boulevard
100 Hutchinson Avenue
110-138 High Cross Boulevard
110-138 Hutchinson Avenue
171-179 E. Campus View Boulevard
7274 Huntington Park Drive
7395 Vantage Drive
7411 Vantage Drive
7411 Vantage Drive
Amount
$ 187,563,000.00
$ 65,647,050.00
$
6,588,272.00
$
329,413.60
Assessment Details
Total Market Value
Taxable Value (35%)
Annual Property Taxes
Potential Annual Assessment (5%)
Scenario 1: PV Only
Frontage (ft) Scenario 2: LF Only
$
8,739.96
776.72 $
9,829.20
$
11,415.84
660.69 $
8,360.87
$
2,370.98
636.11 $
8,049.82
$
711.12
181.49 $
2,296.71
$
3,336.94
946.6 $
11,978.99
$
8,772.98
300.64 $
3,804.53
$
625.24
600.11 $
7,594.25
$
10,888.95
676.25 $
8,557.78
$
2,370.98
548.28 $
6,938.35
$
2,370.98
728.91 $
9,224.18
$
16,686.79
676.62 $
8,562.46
$
8,920.51
1376.17 $
17,415.10
$
12,850.72
923.59 $
11,687.81
$
17,738.45
294.93 $
3,732.27
$
118.90
102.73 $
1,300.02
$
7,025.13
999.64 $
12,650.20
$
7,727.64
1383.3 $
17,505.33
$
773.12
107.42 $
1,359.37
$
3,512.56
665.98 $
8,427.82
$
15,072.94
914.62 $
11,574.29
$
36,091.60
88 $
1,113.62
$
2,081.90
312.36 $
3,952.84
$
4,120.94
148.41 $
1,878.09
$
6,146.99
66.28 $
838.76
$
184.06
223 $
2,822.01
$
3,776.01
0 $
$
10,929.70
228.91 $
2,896.80
$
242.89
343.96 $
4,352.73
Scenarios 1+2 Multipliers

PV Multiplier
0.001756282
LF Multiplier
12.65475796
Crosswoods Columbus Special Improvement District Assessment Scenarios
Scenario 3: 50/50
$
9,284.58
$
9,888.35
$
5,210.40
$
1,503.92
$
7,657.96
$
6,288.75
$
4,109.74
$
9,723.36
$
4,654.67
$
5,797.58
$
12,624.62
$
13,167.80
$
12,269.26
$
10,735.36
$
709.46
$
9,837.67
$
12,616.48
$
1,066.24
$
5,970.19
$
13,323.62
$
18,602.61
$
3,017.37
$
2,999.52
$
3,492.87
$
1,503.03
$
1,888.00
$
6,913.25
$
2,297.81
50/50 Multipliers
PV Multiplier
0.000878141
LF Multiplier
6.327378979
113
7411 Vantage Drive

7465 High Cross Boulevard
7470 Vantage Drive
7474 N. High Street
7475 Vantage Drive
7480 N. High Street
7490 Vantage Drive
7496 N. High Street
7500 Vantage Drive
7550 N. High Street
7550 Vantage Drive
7670-7697 Radio City Boulevard
7700 Crosswoods Drive
Crosswoods Drive
High Cross Boulevard
Hutchinson Avenue
Hutchinson Avenue
Hutchinson Avenue
Hutchinson Avenue
Hutchinson Avenue
Vantage Drive
Totals
$
217,800.00
$
5,000,000.00
$
106,600.00
$
1,900,000.00
$
1,850,000.00
$
1,350,000.00
$
820,000.00
$
1,400,000.00
$
5,300,000.00
$
540,000.00
$
1,385,800.00
$
1,700,000.00
$
1,070,000.00
$
1,900,000.00
$
810,000.00
$
1,490,000.00
$
8,600,000.00
$
860,000.00
$
1,200,000.00
$ 17,947,500.00
$
900,000.00
$
420,800.00
$
50,800.00
$
100,000.00
$
288,000.00
$
54,600.00
$
156,100.00
$
68,500.00
$
11,400.00
$ 12,950,000.00
$
46,900.00
$ 187,563,000.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
382.52
8,781.41
187.22
3,336.94
3,249.12
2,370.98
1,440.15
2,458.79
9,308.29
948.39
2,433.86
2,985.68
1,879.22
3,336.94
1,422.59
2,616.86
15,104.03
1,510.40
2,107.54
31,520.87
1,580.65
739.04
89.22
175.63
505.81
95.89
274.16
120.31
20.02
22,743.85
82.37
329,413.57
0
0
600
369.73
551.29
257.09
258.64
401.44
177.37
232.11
158.3
461.05
746.77
208.11
158.47
250.95
934.19
1167.81
234.16
1502.11
1023
0
282
275.98
170
40.36
0
0
52
606.16
0
26030.81
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Frontage was self-calculated on the County Auditors website and may not be entirely accurate.
610-192703
610-205680
610-211630
610-243358
610-223913
610-188946
610-191458
610-191457
610-225174
610-184661
610-213586
610-220073
610-244101
610-234327
610-199309
610-225290
610-213587
610-238294
610-237387
610-192334
610-201425
610-237530
610-146452
610-264985
610-271907
610-192717
610-192704
610-218945
610-204221
610-289140
610-204219
7,592.85
4,678.84
6,976.44
3,253.41
3,273.03
5,080.13
2,244.57
2,937.30
2,003.25
5,834.48
9,450.19
2,633.58
2,005.40
3,175.71
11,821.95
14,778.35
2,963.24
19,008.84
12,945.82
3,568.64
3,492.46
2,151.31
510.75
658.05
7,670.81
329,413.60
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
191.26
4,390.71
3,890.04
4,007.89
5,112.78
2,812.20
2,356.59
3,769.46
5,776.43
1,942.84
2,218.55
4,410.08
5,664.71
2,985.26
1,713.99
2,896.29
13,462.99
8,144.38
2,535.39
25,264.85
7,263.24
369.52
1,828.93
1,834.04
1,328.56
303.32
137.08
60.15
339.03
15,207.33
41.18
329,413.56
Crosswoods Columbus Facebook Page
114
Crosswoods Columbus Twitter Account
115
Columbus Dispatch Article
Crosswoods businesses facing new

crossroad
By: Mark Ferenchik

In May 2014, some Crosswoods business leaders got together to talk about the future of
the commercial area.
It needed a shot in the arm, said Kathryn Paugh, president and CEO of the Worthington
Chamber of Commerce, which has Crosswoods businesses among its members.
The Crosswoods area, on the Far North Side of Columbus, is a gateway to the city. At the
busy I-270/Rt. 23 interchange, the area creates an impression of the overall vitality of the
community, she said.
But how do you ensure that businesses thrive there?
The business leaders contacted Ohio State Universitys Knowlton School of
Architectures city and regional planning section for help, and an instructor and 14
graduate students set out this fall to create a blueprint of the future for the area.
Theyll roll out a final plan on Dec. 8.
Some ideas include creating a special-improvement district where property owners are
assessed fees to pay for things such as landscaping, maintenance and security. Another
includes a striping plan for the acres of pavement in hopes of making the area safer for
pedestrians and bicyclists.
There are some property-maintenance issues there. Massive surface parking lots, said
Chad Gibson, an associated faculty member at the Knowlton School who is also a city
planner for Upper Arlington.
He said capital improvements will come if a special-improvement district is formed at
116
Crosswoods.
Sidewalks and better lighting also are being considered for the plan.
There are barely any sidewalks, no marked crosswalks, no bike paths, Gibson said.
Its just kind of a mess in there.
The students say they can clean things up.
We want to be able to connect the hotels to all the businesses, said Brandon Creagan,
one of the graduate students.
City officials will consider the students recommendations, said Quinten Harris,
Columbus deputy director of jobs and economic development. Things can be improved.
Wed love to have 100 percent occupancy, he said.
Crosswoods is a mix of offices, restaurants, hotels and other businesses, anchored by the
Marcus Crosswoods Cinema. But it also has a growing number of apartments, including
Stafford Place, a complex being built by Preferred Living and scheduled to open this
year.
Brittany Back has lived for six months at the Central Park apartments, a stones throw
from several restaurants. But she said she never walks.
Its just too dangerous, said Back, 23, who was walking her dog on a lawn outside the
complex.
She said she would like some traffic-calming measures put in, to get the attention of
drivers.
Stephanie Hoskins, the community director of Prescott Place apartments, said shed like
to see sidewalks and better lighting.
Our residents really like walking to a lot of things around here: restaurants, bars, the
movie theater, Hoskins said.
Crosswoods energy has recently been sapped by the massive Ohio Department of
Transportation project to rebuild the I-270/Rt. 23 interchange, which includes a trafficcarrying trench.
We saw happy hour disappear for the year, said Karl Voltz, manager for J. Gilberts, a
Crosswoods restaurant.
But customers say they are returning now that the trench is open, he said.
Judy Lynam, general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott, was among those
spearheading the effort to bring in the OSU students.
Theyre putting together a wonderful package on how to improve the area to draw
people to Crosswoods, Lynam said.
We just dont want it to go downhill ... an area of Columbus that develops into another
Continent, she said, referring to the struggling North Side commercial and residential
area just west of the I-71/Rt. 161 interchange.
Lynam said she believes Crosswoods hotels have lost business to the Polaris area.
Jim Palmisano, who leads the Far North Columbus Communities Coalition, said he wants
to make sure the destinations there remain vital.
He said one improvement hed like to see is better signage.
Nobody knows where anything is, Palmisano said. There are some outstanding
restaurants that no one seems to know about.
For more information on the project, go to www.crosswoodscolumbus.com
mferenchik@dispatch.com
@MarkFerenchik
117
ThisWeek Community News Worthington Article
University students generating

ideas to help Crosswoods
By: Andrew King
Despite the opening of the Ohio Department of Transportation's "trench" on U.S. Route
23, the Crosswoods area of Columbus still needs work and business owners are looking
to Ohio State University students for help.
Graduate students from the Ohio State city and regional planning program are working to
improve logistics of the area and foster "investments and improvement."
A group of hotel managers started the process by approaching the students, who have
worked with Lancaster and Chillicothe in the recent past and won an award last year for a
light-rail plan for Columbus.
Professor Chad Gibson, also a senior planning officer for the city of Upper Arlington,
said his students are ready for the project.
"Every studio is different, but every semester I'm amazed at the creativity and
professionalism of these students," Gibson said. "These students are ready for the
professional world. They're polished, smart and ready to go out and do some good things
in the world."
Thus far, students have created a new website and logo for Crosswoods and are in the
process of collecting data by talking to people in the area.
"We have received extremely positive feedback from stakeholders," Gibson said. "I
believe there are around 15 hotels at Crosswoods and at least as many restaurants. There's
a church, a theater and our outreach team has spoken with almost every property owner
and stakeholder. There are also three apartment complexes, so we've also talked to a lot
of the residents."
They'll continue the outreach process with a presentation and feedback session from 3 to
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Courtyard Columbus Worthington, 7411 Vantage
Drive. They hope residents, customers and business owners will attend and give them
additional input for the project.
The project also will attempt to assess the area's odd navigation.
Gibson said he has high hopes for what the group can accomplish.
"One of the biggest complaints we get is that it's very tough to know where you are in
Crosswoods," he said. "It's just one big loop road, and that loop road has four different
names. It's very easy for visitors to get confused. ... We believe that we can actually get
the roads system in Crosswoods fixed to make it better."
Other ideas include linking Crosswoods with the Olentangy Trail and improving
sidewalks, crosswalks and accessibility.
Gibson and his students know that revitalizing Crosswoods won't be cheap. They're
exploring financial options, such as grant funding, a Kickstarter-like fundraiser or even
instituting a special improvements district, where residents or business owners would pay
extra taxes to fund improvements.
Gibson said he believes people will listen to the students' recommendations when the
plan is complete.
"We're going to create a plan for Crosswoods that serves as a road map to the whole
area," he said.
118
Business Owner Outreach Letter

105 Radio City Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43235
livecentralpark.com
September 14, 2015

Dear Property Owner(s):
You are receiving this letter because our records indicate that your business is located in
Crosswoods. In the coming weeks, students and faculty from the Ohio State University will be
working to assess the strengths and challenges of this community. Our hope is to develop a
plan that will help support Crosswoods as a vibrant neighborhood.
In order for this project to become successful we need to engage stakeholders in the
community who know the Crosswoods area from first-hand experiences and financial interest.
We hope that by using input from the community to shape our final recommendations, this
project will positively impact the area in a meaningful way.
Your input is crucial. We strongly encourage stakeholders like you to join us in helping shape
the future of your community. If you are willing to take our survey, please click here or go to
http://www.crosswoodscolumbus.com and click on I work in Crosswoods survey. Thanks in
advance for providing feedback to improve your neighborhood.
Thank you for your time, and we look forward to working with you in the coming months.
Sincerely Yours,
The Crosswoods Team
theosucrosswoodsteam@gmail.com
119
Resident Outreach Letter

105 Radio City Blvd.
livecentralpark.com
September 14, 2015

Dear Residents,
You are receiving this letter because our records indicate that you are a resident of the Central Park
Apartments, which is located in Crosswoods. In the coming weeks, students and faculty from the Ohio
State University will be working to assess the strengths and challenges of this community. Our hope is to
develop a plan that will help support Crosswoods as a vibrant neighborhood.
In order for this project to become successful, we would like the residents to participate in a short
survey about their community. Your input is crucial. Upon the completion of the survey, your name will
be place in a raffle for a $25.00 gift card.
If you are willing to take our survey, please click here or go to http://www.crosswoodscolumbus.com
and click on I live in Crosswoods survey. Thanks in advance for providing feedback to improve your
neighborhood.
Sincerely Yours,
The Ohio State Crosswoods Team
theosucrosswoodsteam@gmail.com
120
General Outreach Letter
The Ohio State University - Master of City and Regional Planning Program
Crosswoods Studio Project - CRP 6910
www.crosswoodscolumbus.com
Dear Crosswoods Stakeholder:

In the coming weeks, students and faculty from the Ohio State University will be working to
assess the strengths and challenges of the Crosswoods community. Our hope is to develop a
plan that will help support Crosswoods as a vibrant neighborhood.
In order for this project to become successful we need to engage stakeholders in the
community who know the Crosswoods area from first-hand experiences. We hope that by using
input from the community to shape our final recommendations, this project will positively
impact the area in a meaningful way.
Your input is crucial. We strongly encourage stakeholders, like you, to join us in helping shape
the future of your community. If you are willing to taking our survey, please visit
www.crosswoodscolumbus.com and provide us with your feedback.
Thank you for your time, and we look forward to working with you in the coming months.
Sincerely,
The Crosswoods Studio Team
Knowlton School
121
Midterm Presentation Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2015
Contact Chad D. Gibson, AICP

Title Associated Faculty, The Ohio State
University
Cell 740-857-1401
Email gibson.207@osu.edu
Website www.crosswoodscolumbus.com
OSU GRADUATE STUDENTS TO PRESENT

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR CROSSWOODS
City & Regional Planning Graduate Students Share Innovative Ideas and
Request Community Feedback To Enhance Crosswoods Area
Columbus, OH, September 22, 2015 Graduate students from the City and Regional Planning
program at The Ohio State University are working on a comprehensive plan for Crosswoods
Columbus. Our objective is to identify the areas opportunities and constraints and to create a
plan that will foster additional investments and improvements. Over the past several weeks,
graduate students have met with stakeholders to collect information, which they have
incorporated into initial ideas for the area.
On Thursday, October 8th at both 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. students will be presenting their work
and requesting feedback through guided activities. The presentations and associated activities
are open to the public and media outlets. More information can be found at
www.crosswoodscolumbus.com. Follow us on Twitter (@CrosswoodsCLB) to receive the latest
information on this project.
For more information about the presentation or the project please contact
theosucrosswoodsteam@gmail.com or Chad D. Gibson, AICP, Associated Faculty, The Ohio
State University at 740.857.1401 or gibson.207@osu.edu.
Thursday October 8, 2015

3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Courtyard Columbus Worthington
7411 Vantage Drive Columbus, Ohio 43235
122
Final Presentation (Marriott) Press Release

University
Cell 740-857-1401

October 20, 2015
OSU GRADUATE STUDENTS TO PRESENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR

CROSSWOODS
Request Community Feedback to Enhance the Crosswoods Area
Columbus, OH, December 8, 2015 Graduate students from the City and Regional Planning
plan that will foster additional investments and improvements. Over the past several months,
incorporated into initial ideas for the area that they presented to the public on Thursday, October
8th, 2015.
On Tuesday, December 8th at 5:30 p.m. students will be presenting their final work regarding the
Crosswoods area. The presentation is open to the public and media outlets. More information
can be found at http://www.crosswoodscolumbus.com. Follow us on Twitter
(@CrosswoodsCLB) and Facebook (Crosswoods Columbus) to receive the latest information on
this project.
Tuesday December 8, 2015

5:30 p.m.
Courtyard Columbus Worthington
7411 Vantage Drive Columbus, Ohio 43235
123
Final Presentation (OSU Campus) Press Release

University
Cell 740-857-1401

October 20, 2015
OSU GRADUATE STUDENTS TO PRESENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR

CROSSWOODS
Request Community Feedback to Enhance the Crosswoods Area
Columbus, OH, December 3, 2015 Graduate students from the City and Regional Planning
plan that will foster additional investments and improvements. Over the past several months,
incorporated into initial ideas for the area that they presented to the public on Thursday, October
3rd, 2015
On Thursday, December 3rd at 5:00 p.m. students will be presenting their final work regarding
the Crosswoods area. The presentation is open to the public and media outlets. More
information can be found at http://www.crosswoodscolumbus.com. Follow us on Twitter
(@CrosswoodsCLB) and Facebook (Crosswoods Columbus) to receive the latest information on
this project.
Thursday December 3, 2015

5:00 p.m.
The Ohio State University (Knowlton Hall) Room #177
275 West Woodruff Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43210
124
Final Presentation (Marriott) Flier
JOIN US FOR THE
CROSSWOODS FINAL
PRESENTATION
DECEMBER 8, 2015
5:30PM
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT
7411 VANTAGE DRIVE
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43235
Graduate students from the City and Regional Planning program at The Ohio State
University are working on a comprehensive plan for Crosswoods Columbus. Our
objective is to identify the areas opportunities and constraints and to create a plan that
will foster additional investments and improvements. Over the past several months,
incorporated into initial ideas for the area that they presented to the public on Thursday,
October 3th, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: THEOSUCROSSWOODSTEAM @GMAIL.COM
125
Final Presentation (OSU Campus) Flier
JOIN US FOR THE
CROSSWOODS FINAL
PRESENTATION
DECEMBER 3, 2015
5:00PM
KNOWLTON SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
275 WEST WOODRUFF AVE.
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43210
Graduate students from the City and Regional Planning program at The Ohio State
University are working on a comprehensive plan for Crosswoods Columbus. Our
objective is to identify the areas opportunities and constraints and to create a plan that
will foster additional investments and improvements. Over the past several months,
incorporated into initial ideas for the area that they presented to the public on Thursday,
October 3th, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: THEOSUCROSSWOODSTEAM @GMAIL.COM
126

Crosswoods Team
w w w. c r o s s w o o d s c o l u m b u s . c o m
theosucrosswoods team@gmail.com
fa c e b o o k . c o m / c r o s s w o o d s c o l u m b u s
@crosswoodsclb

Crosswoods Team
@crosswoodsclb

Crosswoods Team
@crosswoodsclb

Crosswoods Team
@crosswoodsclb

Crosswoods Team
127
@crosswoodsclb

Crosswoods Team
@crosswoodsclb
@crosswoodsclb

Crosswoods Team
@crosswoodsclb

Crosswoods Team
@crosswoodsclb

Crosswoods Team
Crosswoods Columbus Business Card
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Knowlton School

Crosswoods Columbus Comprehensive Plan

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FUTURE

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

David Miller, Executive Vice President

Capital Crossroads and Discovery SID

Marc Conte, Deputy Directory of Research,

We are thankful and appreciative

Lisa M. Lamantia, AICP, Planning Manager

Division of Economic Development

Michael Loges, Business Development Specialist

Ohio Department of Transportation

Brian J. Davidson, P.E., Project Manager

Jared Smith, Chief Development Officer

Dana Allender, Regional General Manager

The Crosswoods Comprehensive Plan consists of four

and various challenges and constraints.

MEET THE TEAM

any private-sector planning firm to do what these

A wide array of issues have been researched

This studio team is energetic, professional, and

This is my eighth consecutive studio project and

Chad D. Gibson, AICP

Chad Gibson, AICP

Situated on the northeast corner of U.S. 23 and

1.1, 1.2 Context map highlighting Crosswoods within

For the purposes of this plan, and by most geographic

City of Columbus to explore alternative modes

The objective behind an area plan is to focus

The final portion of the Far North Area Plan covers

The Existing Conditions section helps to identify

The Far North Area Plan not only addresses

Analyzing transportation trends is very important

3.1 City of Columbus, Natural

There is a great opportunity to

3.2 City of Columbus, Bikeways

3.2 City of Columbus,

-Logan Stang, MCRP Candidate

The existing COTA Park and Ride within the

Connect Columbus began establishing goals in

PROPOSED MIXEDUSE DEVELOPMENT

4.1 City of Columbus, Connect Columbus Plan.

The success of NextGen relies heavily on

5.1 COTA NextGen Plan for Columbus area.

6.1 The area was largely

6.2 Construction of I-270 ended

7.1 During the early 1990s,

7.2 The Central Park Apartments

Crosswoods is a mixed-use community with great

segment of our audience because they live and

Crosswoods encompasses a variety of uses including, hotels, apartments,

11.1 View of I-270 interchange improvements.

11.2 New sidewalk along Radio City Blvd near

11.3 This multi-tenant office complex exemplifies

11.4 Pedestrians leave the Marcus Cinema.

11.5 There are new apartment complexes

11.6 Fine dining and fast-casual options are

serve as temporary housing units for guests who stay

Classification System (NAICS) descriptions. When

The chart below displays the top ten most prevalent

13.2 2010 Census Data

estimates, is $187 million resulting in a roughly

Some organizations in Crosswoods own multiple

STRUCTURES BUILT PER YEAR