Good Works Columbus: September 2, 2024
Transit Columbus Happy Hour, Columbus Park Plan, Affordable Housing Survey
Intro
Hi everyone, happy Monday and happy Labor Day! If you have the day off I hope you’re able to enjoy it! Transit Columbus is hosting a happy hour and discussion about LinkUS and the future of mobility in Columbus tomorrow. Check out the details below and I hope to see you there!
If you are able to, please donate to Franklinton Cycle Works GoFundMe. FCW’s building sustained considerable damage after a drunk driver ran into it with their car.
If you have an upcoming event or a link you’d like to share for the newsletter, feel free to send suggestions.
Things you can do in person
Transit Columbus Happy Hour Discussion (September 3rd 5:30pm-7:00pm) 🚍Transit Columbus is hosting a series of happy hour panel discussions with city and COTA leadership to dig deeper into upcoming transit and mobility initiatives and what they mean for residents of central Ohio.
On September 3, we’re partnering with NLC Columbus, Columbus Urban League Young Professionals, and Ohio Environmental Council Emerging Leaders to learn more about LinkUS, BikePlus, and the future of mobility in our region.
Things you can do online
(~5 minutes) Affordable Housing Survey 🏠
Too many Ohioans are struggling to keep up with rising prices, especially when finding an affordable place to live. The difficulty of buying a home or staying ahead of housing costs can be overwhelming. Ensuring our voices are heard is more important than ever.That’s why the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio is conducting our first-ever survey to get your input!
Your feedback is more than just data—it’s a step towards ensuring that Central Ohio remains a place where families and individuals can thrive. By participating, you contribute to a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has a fair opportunity to find safe and affordable housing.(~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!(~2 minutes) From Ohio Environmental Council:
Sign on to support Ohio’s public lands and old-growth forests! 🌳
The U.S. Forest Service has initiated a first-of-its-kind effort to recognize old-growth forests in national forests across the nation. The federal agency is proposing a nationwide amendment to the forest plans of nearly all national forests in the country. In Ohio, the amendment would apply to Ohio’s only National Forest — the largest public forest in the state.
While we believe the Forest Service’s effort to recognize old-growth forests is a step in the right direction, we also believe it falls far short of ensuring meaningful change and protection for existing old growth and maturing forests that could one day recover old growth status.Please join us and fellow citizens across the country in asking the Forest Service to provide real, meaningful protections for mature and old-growth forests to protect the health of our planet and future generations.
Short North Arts District Mobility Survey 🚲
SNAD (Is that a thing?) is conducting a mobility survey for the Short North. Go tell them to create better options for bikes and buses. Honestly, it would be a lot better if cars were banned.
Save the Date
LinkUS Town Hall Events (Various dates) 🚍
Join us for a town hall meeting to learn how COTA’s investment in the region will benefit you, your community and all of Central Ohio. We’ll share more about LinkUS and how COTA will modernize and expand our transit system, answer questions and collect feedback about the project.
TOWN HALL DATES
Thursday, Sept. 126-7:30 p.m.
Carriage Place Community Center
4900 Sawmill Rd, Columbus, OH 43235
Monday, Sept. 235:30-7 p.m.
Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Northern Lights Branch
4093 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43224
Saturday, Oct. 510-11:30 a.m.
Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Branch
96 S Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Wednesday, Oct. 96-7:30 p.m.
Reynoldsburg High School
699 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Transit Advocacy Training Series
Transit Columbus is hosting a series of trainings over the next few months. Come learn how to get involved in local transit advocacy! You can attend any or all events, you don’t need to attend one in order to attend the other. More event details here.
Get out the vote training (Saturday, Sept. 14 11am-12:30pm Main Library Columbus, OH)
2024 is a big election year. Among other important issues on the ballot, central Ohio residents will be deciding whether or not to increase the COTA sales tax levy from 0.5% to 1% in order to fund major transit and mobility improvements like Bus Rapid Transit, more (and improved) pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and a 45% increase in overall COTA service hours.Transit Columbus member Matt Caffrey will lead this training, which will give volunteers the tools they need to get out the vote.
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!