Our River…
Our Riverfront

Exciting News!

Indiana DNR Permit
IDEM Permit
US Army Corp. of Engineers Permit
Bid it and Build it!

Project Summary:

The Our River… Our Riverfront project seeks to remove improve safety within the White River through removing a failing low-head dam, improve river access for safety personnel, provide a safe, and well-lit, pedestrian route under the 2nd and 3rd Street bridges – mitigating pedestrian/vehicle interchanges at the existing trail intersections.

There are several design drivers for this project:

Connect the People Trail and provide universal access to the river
Create compelling attractions, such as in-water recreation and gathering spaces along the bank
Improve quality of life for residents and visitors alike
Armor and revegetate the banks
Repair eroded areas, including scouring near the former landfill
Maintain the water elevations upstream, which supports existing wetlands
Restore fish passage, habitat and sediment transportation
Remove invasive plant species and strengthen local conservation efforts

The City of Columbus and Redevelopment have been working diligently to ensure public input on all plans to refocus attention on our Riverfront. We realize that this is “our” River and that the future of our community will continue to be tied to innovation and creativity. Having a vibrant Riverfront that is developed based upon considerable community and public input is important to the future of Columbus.

We are excited to see the Riverfront Project come to fruition after years of pursuit and are looking forward to connecting communities by offering a safe and accessible experience to engage with one of the state’s great waterways.

We will continue to make updates to this website to keep you informed as the project moves forward.

Check out this great article on our riverfront by aim indiana online publication

Columbus Riverfront

Please take a few minutes to review this short video that outlines plans for Our River … Our Riverfront Project.

View the latest presentation on the riverfront

What the Community is Saying

“Our extensive trail network not only is important to the vitality of our community, but it serves as a catalyst to development and environmental preservation which makes our community an attractive place to live, work and play. The Riverfront trail is the missing link in our downtown that is needed to safely connect users to Mill Race Park and the eastern and western segments of the trail network.”
Angela C. Force

“The riverfront trail will give bicyclists and pedestrians improved access and connectivity, between the north side of the city and the downtown area. This project would positively impact all who live and work in Columbus as well as the many visitors who come each year.”
Cindy Frey
President, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

“We are very supportive of the riverfront project because of all the many ways this project will afford more opportunities for area residents to live an active lifestyle.”
Elizabeth S. Morris, LCSW
Director of Community Health Partnerships

“An active riverfront area will add to the allure of our city and will help attract more skilled workers needed to fill future jobs. Most importantly, a redesigned riverfront will give our citizens safe access to a natural resource that is currently underutilized”
Kyle Hendricks

View an Economic Impact Study on the Riverfront

Riverfront Redevelopment in the Midwest

Redeveloped Riverfronts are creating valuable assets and driving economic development for communities across the Midwest. Click on the cities below to see some of the exciting ways communities have revitalized their riverfronts into beautiful parks and greenways that are reconnecting people to their rivers and waterways.

Project Team

Mayor: Mary Ferdon

Director of Redevelopment: Heather Pope

Columbus Redevelopment Commission

Al Roszcsyk, President
Kyle Hendricks, Vice President
Trena Carter, Secretary
Shannon McDonald, Member
Cynthia Boll, Member
Jason Major, BCSC Liaison
Grace Kestler, City Council Liaison