Hi friends, welcome to Good Works Columbus! I’m sending out the newsletter a bit earlier today as a reminder to submit Flock testimony before noon today!

Things you can do in person

• Flock Out of Columbus Rally
  Monday, August 10th, 3PM
  

  

  

• Review of Flock Safety Community Meeting
  Monday, August 10th, 4PM
  

  

• COTA Service Change Meeting
  August 11th
  Service change meetings are a great opportunity to ask COTA questions or give feedback on service!
  
  Join us on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at noon for public info meetings to discuss proposed service changes effective Sept. 7, 2026. You can attend:
  In person at 33 N. High St., WPG Boardroom
  
  On Facebook Live @COTAbus Learn more: COTA.com/servicechanges

• Help Shape the Future of Columbus Buildings! - RSVP Today

  Join Sustainable Columbus, CREDA, and Ohio Environmental Council at 556 E Town St. Columbus, OH on August 18th for drop-in office hours from 5:30–7:30pm. These office hours are one way you can weigh in and ask questions on the Building Energy Performance Standard draft, a forward-looking policy designed to help large, existing buildings cut energy usage and hit efficiency targets over time. Street parking is available for free! (Editor’s note: Accessible by COTA lines 11, 2, and 10. There’s also bike parking next door or you can bring your bike inside the OEC building.)

• Habitat for Humanity Triplex Build with Strong Towns Columbus
  Saturday, August 15th 8:30AM-3:30PM
  Help Habitat build a triplex for 3 local families! There is no experience necessary. Tasks will vary and our helpful site leads will teach you everything you need to know. You must be 16 years or older (and accompanied by an adult 21 or over if you are under 18) to volunteer. Teams of youth volunteers must be accompanied by 1 adult per 5 youth.

• 2026 Olentangy River Cleanup
  Saturday, August 15th, 9am-12pm
  Join us for the Olentangy Watershed River Clean Up, a community event dedicated to preserving the beauty of our beloved river!

  The Olentangy Watershed River Clean Up is an annual community event dedicated to preserving the beauty of our beloved river! We'll be gathering at the Mingo Park Canoe Launch at 500 E. Lincoln Ave, Delaware, OH 43015 for a morning of fun and environmental action. Grab your friends, family, and neighbors, and let's make a difference together!

• August Green Drinks
  Tuesday, August 18th, 6pm-8pm
  Combustion Brewery & Taproom 2971 North High Street
  Join Green Columbus and Columbus Running Co. for an active, community-focused August Green Drinks! Whether you're a seasoned runner or prefer a casual evening stroll, lace up your sneakers and meet us at Combustion Brewery in Clintonville for a great evening.

  We'll be leading a fun, roughly 3-mile loop that starts and ends right at the brewery. All paces are welcome, and we'll have both walking and running groups!

  Stick around after the run to enjoy a pint and connect with fellow community members.

• Columbus Arborfest
  Saturday, August 22nd
  Columbus ArborFest will take place on August 22nd from 12 to 5. We need volunteers before, during, and after the event to ensure things run smoothly.

  Please fill out the form below to sign up to be a volunteer!

Things you can do online

• What do you think of the new 4th Street bike lanes?
  Take the online survey to provide feedback! This is a great opportunity to show that there’s appetite for more of these projects and also make comments on what can be improved for this lane and future projects.

• Columbus Participatory Budgeting 2026

  Over the course of the next few months, residents will have the opportunity to submit project ideas, develop project ideas into proposals, and vote for final projects to improve our city. All Columbus community members over the age of 14 are invited to submit ideas, and anyone over the age of 16 is invited to participate in the final vote. The $9 million in capital funds will be distributed equally among the city's nine Council Districts.
  
  Visit the website to learn more, find in-person meetings, and submit your ideas!

• Building Energy Performance Standard Draft Feedback

• Columbus is looking to adopt a Building Energy Performance Standard Policy (BEPS) that will require large, existing buildings to decrease their energy usage overtime. As Columbus continues to grow it is critical that we grow sustainably so that all people and businesses are able to thrive in our city. A BEPS will help us achieve that by:

  • Reducing energy costs for residents and businesses.

  • Creating an ecosystem to support building owners in making their buildings healthier and more efficient.

  • Generating economic opportunities for all Columbus residents through local jobs and improved property values.

  • Take the survey here!

Things I’m reading/watching:

• Flock surveillance cameras are watching Columbus. Here's what to know from WOSU

• Flock history in Cbus from Flytown News
  

Have a great day everyone!

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