ADVERTISEMENT

    Big Ideas for Transit Laid Out in New Framework Plan

    If you want to sit around and wait for a train in Columbus, you could be waiting for a long time. Local planner and transit enthusiast JM Rayburn got tired of waiting though, and decided to launch a project that could spark change with how Central Ohioans think about transit systems. The culmination of that work is the new 90-page Forge Ahead document — a Forge Columbus project — which was released to the public yesterday.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Forge Ahead was conceived as a community transformation campaign to serve as visioning document and resource book, which could be a contribution to the conversation about the ideas already happening around transportation systems,” said Rayburn, the Founder and Project Manager of Forge Ahead. “The original spark for the project came when Governor Kasich gave Ohio’s $400 million for the 3C Corridor back to the federal government — I thought there was vacuum of understanding of what transportation modes can offer, and I felt a need to explore that and share it in a way that people could understand.”

    In addition to rail-based transit modes (light rail and streetcars) the document covers what Columbus can learn and implement from other cities when it comes to bike infrastructure, walkable neighborhoods, and automobile traffic solutions. Rayburn said that the document is designed so that any local planning or transit organization like the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) or the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) can utilize information for their own purposes.

    “They could cherry pick certain ideas that they want to deploy, manage or imitate, or use the information to start the conversation of how we get to the next steps,” he stated. “COTA and MORPC already get a lot of public input for recommendations, but it’s nice to use this to get a big look at what’s out there.”

    While Rayburn managed the project, he said that Forge Ahead had contributions from dozens of stakeholder organizations, individual city planners, and many everyday citizens who voiced their opinions during roundtable sessions. In total, he said approximately 75 to 100 people have contributed ideas to the document.

    “Our next step is to get this in front of as many eyes and audiences as possible,” added Rayburn. “I’d love to do a presentation during Pecha Kucha this fall, and possibly some other public speaking engagements. At the end of day, this is all for the sake of economic growth, global competitiveness and talent retention in Columbus. We need to make these ideas happen.”

    For more information and to view the full report, visit www.forgeaheadcbus.com.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    The Confluence Cast: Downtown with Michael Brown

    We're exploring the evolution of downtown with Michael Brown, who has been a cornerstone in the city's development planning and worked both in and outside city government to cheer on its growth. Columbus Underground editor Walker Evans and Mike delve into the city's challenges and triumphs, the synergy between projects, the balance between iconic and neighborhood-level public art investments, and the concerted efforts to address systemic issues like homelessness and affordable housing. Through anecdotes and insights, they highlight Columbus's young, creative energy and the dynamic urban policies that continue to drive its growth.

    Before and After: Gay Street

    Last month, the City of Columbus and other partners...

    COTA Hires New CEO

    Just over a month after Joanna Pinkerton announced she...

    COTA Lands $42 Million Federal Grant for First Transit Corridor

    The Central Ohio Transit Authority has been awarded $41.9...

    COTA to Study Dublin-to-Intel Transit Connection

    The Central Ohio Transit Authority plans to use a...
    Walker Evans
    Walker Evanshttps://columbusunderground.com
    Walker Evans is the co-founder of Columbus Underground, along with his wife and business partner Anne Evans. Walker has turned local media into a full time career over the past decade and serves on multiple boards and committees throughout the community.
    ADVERTISEMENT