Good Works Columbus: January 6, 2025
PIT Count, Bike lane survey, Transit Columbus meeting, Christmas tree disposal
Intro
Hi everyone, happy new year and welcome to Good Works Columbus, a newsletter highlighting actions you can take at the local level to help improve our community.
If you have an upcoming event or a link you’d like to share for the newsletter, feel free to send suggestions. And if you know someone who might enjoy Good Works Columbus, forward it to them and tell them to subscribe here.
Things you can do in person
Unhoused Point-In-Time Count
The 2025 point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025.Community Shelter Board will lead Columbus’ and Franklin County’s annual count of the area’s sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations, including adults, youth, and children. Point-in-time counts are an important method used to better understand the extent and nature of homelessness in communities across the nation. The count helps us address housing needs in our community and helps track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness.
E Broad Bike Lane Survey 🚲
If you’ve traveled along E Broad St recently in the Near East you may have noticed the newly installed protected bike lanes. I’ve used them a few times and it’s certainly an improvement over the paint only lanes around the city. If you get the chance, try it out for yourself and be on the lookout for yard signs along the route with links to a survey for feedback.Transit Columbus January Meeting 🚍
Tuesday, January 14 7pm-8:30pm
Columbus downtown library, 96 S Grant, Meeting Room 2B
Want better public transit options and safer streets? Come join Transit Columbus at their monthly meeting.Christmas tree disposal 🌲
Columbus residents can use the city’s curbside yard waste collection program. For added convenience, real trees can also be dropped off at Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers located at:2100 Alum Creek Drive, 43207
1550 Georgesville Road, 43228
These centers are free for residents and open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Things you can do online
Medicaid public comment opportunity
Ohio is preparing to strip Medicaid from more than 60,000 people. Here’s what you should know.
"The state of Ohio recently submitted a proposal to require people between the ages of 19 and 55 to prove they are employed in order to be eligible for Medicaid coverage. They call the proposal a “work requirement,” but that’s just another name for Medicaid cuts. It will kick an estimated 61,826 Ohioans off health insurance and add significant paperwork and other hurdles to a program that is already difficult to navigate.”
The Department of Medicaid is hearing public comments on the new requirements until January 16th at 5pm. Email comments to GroupVIII@medicaid.ohio.gov. For a sample email check out the link from Policy Matters Ohio.Leaders Listen Economic Development survey
This survey is part of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and The Columbus Dispatch’s Leaders Listen Series, a set of short public opinion polls that invite Central Ohio community members to provide their input on important community development topics. Please complete this survey to share your insights on housing (and transportation) issues and opportunities impacting the region.Thurber House funderaiser 🏠
After recently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Thurber House faces an uncertain future. Founded in 1984, Thurber House is a nonprofit literary arts hub, James Thurber museum, historic landmark, and gathering place for readers, writers, and artists of all ages. Please donate to the fundraiser here if you are able to.(~6 minutes) Bronzeville Food Co-op 🛒
Help bring a local, community-owned grocery store to the Near East. Take an online survey sharing your grocery needs and wants and enter for a chance to win a gift card.(~5 minutes) Capital Line Survey 🚲
Progress on the design of the future Capital Line is moving forward! If you missed the public engagement meeting you can view the materials and learn more about the project below. Help shape the future of the project by providing your input virtually. Your participation will help ensure that the Capital Line benefits businesses, residents, and visitors alike.Ohio Rail Development Survey 🚂
Check out All Aboard Ohio’s Advocacy Toolkit for this survey and the ODOT survey below.The Ohio Rail Development Commission is developing an update to its State Rail Plan.
The Ohio State Rail Plan update will provide current information on Ohio’s rail system and its role in the statewide transportation system, review passenger and freight rail issues and potential investments and opportunities, and establish the Commission’s goals and objectives for Ohio’s rail network. An updated State Rail Plan will help ensure that Ohio remains competitive for federal discretionary grant opportunities.
(~10-15 minutes) Columbus Park Plan 🌳
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is initiating the process of developing its next 10-year Vision Plan. This update will provide a vision and roadmap for the future of recreation programming and services, parks, facilities, trails, waterways and open space planning that scales the city’s recreation and parks system equitably to match Columbus’ place as the 14th largest city in the U.S. This plan will also serve as a guidebook for the department’s programming, development and policies to drive quality-of-life improvements for all Columbus residents.
Take the survey to shape the future of play, parks and open space!
In Case You Missed It
LinkUS Engagement Survey (2 minutes)
Mark up the Vision Zero Columbus map. Have a close call walking, biking, or getting around town? Do you know a dangerous intersection that can be improved? Help identify these spots on the Vision Zero map.
Have a great day everyone!