Columbus Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District

Downtown Columbus, OH

Created in 2001 by property owners who successfully petitioned to form a special improvement district in the core of downtown Columbus, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District (SID) served as the unified voice of downtown Columbus’ private sector. By self-assessing to fund enhanced public services, members worked with Capital Crossroads staff to ensure downtown remained clean, safe, and vibrant for everyone who lived, worked, and visited the area.

In its 24 years, Capital Crossroads expanded from 25 to 40 square blocks and delivered programs that enhanced daily life downtown. Signature achievements included the creation of a nationally recognized transit pass program, an award-winning public-private safety collaborative, innovative placemaking initiatives such as permanent public restrooms and the popular bi-weekly Pearl Market, and a strong and effective safety, cleaning, landscaping, and homeless outreach program.

Through active partnerships with the City of Columbus, Franklin County, and social service and faith-based communities, Capital Crossroads maintained right-of-way improvements, managed the downtown way-finding system, and led collaborative problem-solving efforts that strengthened the community. Together, these initiatives reflected the SID’s ongoing commitment to keeping downtown Columbus thriving, accessible, and welcoming for all.

2001 - 2025
Project completed by current Neighborhood Strategies staff during their leadership of SID Public Services Association.

SERVICES
SID Creation & Renewal
Community Engagement
Community Activation Programming & Events
Public-Private Partnerships
Fundraising & Grant Writing
Community Outreach & Education
Supplemental Safety & Cleaning Services
Homeless Outreach Services
Placemaking
Transit Pass Program
Right-of-Way Project Maintenance
Landscaping

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Developed 3-time award-winning safety program

Doubled public transportation use through the development of Downtown C-pass, an award-winning transit program

Distributed $2 million in COVID grants to secure survival and prosperity of small businesses during the pandemic

Developed and maintained a comprehensive downtown way-finding sign system

Created the annual State of Downtown Economic Development Report

| Award-Winning Safety Program Facilitates Collaboration Between Private & Public Partners

In response to the prevalence of quality-of-life issues downtown and the larger community’s perception that downtown was unsafe, Capital Crossroads’ staff developed a comprehensive safety program. The program featured a team of uniformed bike ambassadors dedicated to maintaining a safe and welcoming downtown environment, offering services such as safety escorts, directions, vehicle jump-starts, and flat tire assistance. These safety ambassadors patrolled downtown alongside special duty police officers and were supported by the environmental maintenance and homeless outreach teams. The Special Improvement District’s award-winning security network, which facilitated regular radio and electronic communications among private sector security and public sector safety partners, tracked downtown activity in real time and enabled rapid response to emerging situations.

| Homeless Outreach Forms Pathways to Support & Stability

Capital Crossroads established an outreach team to connect individuals experiencing homelessness within the district to essential services and pathways toward stability. Each year, the team performed thousands of hours of outreach, helping hundreds of clients secure emergency shelter and permanent housing, access transportation support, obtain physical and mental health services, and connect with critical resources such as employment assistance, veterans’ benefits, and vital identification documents.

Through these efforts, the outreach team addressed immediate needs while fostering long-term stability, independence, and well-being. Their work strengthened the community by reducing barriers, connecting vulnerable populations to resources, and improving safety and quality of life throughout the district.

| Landscaping & Plantings Beautify the Downtown Area

To enhance the downtown environment, Capital Crossroads launched a beautification initiative that introduced landscaping along Nationwide Boulevard and Gay Street, added planters around Capitol Square, and installed hanging baskets along the High Street corridor. The team also provided ongoing care including tree trimming and replacement, weed management, and maintenance of planters and baskets to ensure the district remained beautiful and welcoming year-round.

| Environmental Maintenance Program Creates a Cleaner, More Inviting Downtown

Confronted with persistent litter, graffiti, and dirty sidewalks, Capital Crossroads implemented an environmental maintenance program to ensure a clean, welcoming environment for downtown businesses, residents, and visitors. The initiative included litter and debris removal, power washing, maintenance of public restrooms, snow and leaf removal, installation of dog waste stations, and complimentary graffiti removal for property owners within the Capital Crossroads boundary. These efforts dramatically improved the district’s appearance and walkability, creating cleaner sidewalks, reducing graffiti incidents, and reinforcing downtown’s reputation as a vibrant, well-maintained destination.

| Community Events Activate Urban Spaces

Responding to a desire for stronger community connections and the need to activate underutilized urban spaces, Capital Crossroads, together with the Discovery Special Improvement District, launched a series of community events in downtown Columbus. Designed to offer something for everyone, the program featured movie nights under the stars, outdoor yoga, live music, street festivals and markets, an ice-skating rink, and more. These initiatives supported downtown as a gathering place, fostering connection, activity, and a stronger sense of community for all who live, work, and play in the heart of the city.

Learn More About Pearl Market

| Downtown C-Pass Offers Innovative Transportation Solutions

To help solve downtown Columbus’ parking shortage for workers, the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, in partnership with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), created the Downtown C-Pass. This innovative and award-winning transportation solution provides eligible employees and residents with unlimited access to the entire COTA bus system. Transit ridership among downtown workers doubled in three months, companies reported less turnover among service workers, and office brokers began marketing the program as a perk to locating downtown.

Learn More About Downtown C-pass

Awards

Pinnacle Award, International Downtown Association (IDA)

Recognizes the most creative and inspiring innovations in the place management industry worldwide.
Community Collaboration Achievement Award, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Honors collaborative problem-solving and partnership on planning projects in Central Ohio.
Matthew Simeone Award for Public/Private Excellence, ASIS International

Recognizes outstanding achievement by a private organization and a law enforcement agency in the advocacy, development, implementation, and practice of public-private cooperation for public safety.
National Public/Private Partnership Award, National Homeland Security Association

Awarded for connecting private security professionals with police officers to share vital information through a security website and radio network.
Outstanding Community Policing Strategy Award, Ohio Crime Prevention Association

Recognizes organizations and individuals for outstanding contributions in community policing and the success of community engagement initiatives.