Good Works Columbus: March 25, 2024
Bike Plus, Transit Columbus, abortion fundraising, planting trees, bikes, and more
Intro
Hi everyone, happy Monday and happy spring! Hopefully the spring-like weather is here to stay. We have a packed newsletter this week with lots of opportunities for in-person events and things you can do online so let’s get to it.
If you have an upcoming event or a link you’d like to share for the newsletter, feel free to send suggestions. Please let me know if I missed something!
Things you can do in person
Share your input by attending a Bike Plus Open House!
During these meetings, you can expect to establish a vision network, discuss prioritization and advise on policy recommendations. Everything will be in draft form, but we are excited to be working collaboratively with our partners and the public in creating Bike Plus.
Join Transit Columbus for the monthly meeting Tuesday 3/26 at 7pm (1st floor auditorium Columbus Main Library)
(Tuesday, March 26 5:30pm) For some reason, after taking it down, the city of Columbus is reconsidering what to do with the Christoper Columbus statue. Go read Scott Woods’ on the subject and take part in conversations on “Reimagining Columbus” and helping decide what to do with the Columbus statue.
Neighbors 4 More Neighbors Columbus is meeting Wednesday 3/27 from 6pm-7:30pm for a Spring strategy session. Registration at link below:
Come learn about the future of transportation in Columbus, featuring Transit Columbus chair and friend of the newsletter Stevie Pasamonte,
(Saturday, March 30 at 10am) Yay Bikes! will have their first Community Bike Ride of the year starting in the Hilltop at Westgate Park. This is a great opportunity if you are curious about getting out on a bike but aren't sure where to start. We’re planning a casual 12-mile ride connecting the Hilltop and Franklinton communities. NEW BIKE RIDERS WELCOME! Register here.
Things you can do online
Join us to fund abortion & build power!
Legal abortion access means nothing if patients can't afford abortion care. Join us to fundraise for Abortion Fund of Ohio—an organization that helps patients with financial and practical supports! 100% of fundraising funds patient costs—from covering the appointment itself to childcare, transportation, & travel. Click here for more information and to donate towards the Good Works Columbus team page!
(Application deadline 3/27) Okay, so the application process is online but committee duties are in person. Columbus City Schools Board of Education is seeking dedicated public committee members. Learn more and apply here.
The city of Hilliard is resurfacing Heritage Club Drive and is looking for input on the design. This portion is part of the Hellbranch Trail and there is an opportunity to turn a shared sidewalk into a two-way separated bike lane and a sidewalk.
The MTP is a long-range planning document that identifies transportation policies, strategies, and projects in MORPC’s federally designated transportation planning area. This area includes Delaware County; Franklin County; Bloom and Violet townships in Fairfield County; New Albany, Pataskala, and Etna Township in Licking County; and Jerome Township in Union County.
Draft strategies have been identified and are available for review and comment. These strategies will be used to create an efficient and comprehensive transportation system for the region. In addition to the strategies, MORPC also identifies transportation projects to be included in the MTP.
Public comments can be submitted directly on the MTP interactive map, by e-mail to mtp@morpc.org or submitted in writing to:
MORPC
111 Liberty Street, Suite 100, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Attn: Maria Schaper
Public comments on the proposed projects must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 2024.
Save the Date
2024 Cleaner Columbus Citywide Cleanup
Council Member Emmanuel Remy, in conjunction with Keep Columbus Beautiful, is hosting the 3rd Annual Cleaner Columbus Citywide Cleanup to promote awareness and education around littering and encourage neighbors, local organizations, and businesses to pick up litter. All supplies will be provided.
All participants will meet at the Goodale Shelterhouse (120 W Goodale St, Columbus, OH 43215) before cleaning the designated areas.
Please join us on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Scioto Audubon Metro Park to participate in The Hunger Run 5K and help chase hunger out of Central Ohio!
We are hosting the 5th Annual Hunger Run 5K in support of Neighborhood Services Inc. (NSI), a local food pantry and resource center located right here in Columbus, Ohio. Our goal is to spread awareness about hunger and food insecurity in central Ohio, bring the community together, and raise money for Neighborhood Services Inc.
Join the Care Economy Organizing Project in fighting for equitable childcare. The work of caring for our children and families is some of the most important work in our lives. Affordable, quality child care makes it possible for parents to go out and do what we do every day, knowing that the most precious people in our lives are in good hands. Yet, it’s some of the most invisible and undervalued work. It's time to invest in expanding affordable, quality child care, with living wages for the hardworking child care providers who care for and nurture our children.
In Case You Missed It
Help our neighbors to the northwest recover from last week’s storm.
(5 minutes) Complete the Eastland Community Survey #2. Check out the slide deck from the latest public engagement meeting here.
(2 minutes) Urge Congress to Invest in Affordable Homes in Fiscal Year 2025
Robust federal investments for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs are needed to address the growing affordable housing and homelessness crisis in communities across the country.
LinkUS Engagement Survey (2 minutes)
“Two new bills—from Senators Ed Markey and John Fetterman respectively—set Complete Streets as a minimum design mandate, taking a step towards safer streets for all road users. With over 40,000 pedestrian deaths on our roadways in the last decade, there’s no time to lose. Tell your senator to cosponsor the Building Better Streets Act and Complete Streets Act!”
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.
Upper Arlington Public Library workers are forming a union. Tell the UA Library board to recognize their union!
(2 minutes) Tell your elected officials to stop highway expansions! “A coalition of 200 organizations nationwide is calling on elected leaders to adopt a moratorium on expanding highways and a pause on existing projects until climate, equity, and maintenance goals are met. Tell your elected leaders to end the destructive, unsustainable practice of highway building and set a responsible course toward a cleaner and more equitable future.”
Sign up to gather signatures for the “Citizens Not Politicians” Amendment and help end gerrymandering in the state of Ohio through this ballot initiative. Link to become a signature gatherer.
Have a great day everyone!