The unveiling of the Long Street Cultural Wall yesterday evening signaled the completion of the first phase of ODOT’s Columbus Crossroads project, which will eventually untangle the 70/71 split when all phases are finished. Phase one began in September 2011, which included the rebuilding of the 670/71 interchange adjacent to Fort Hayes, as well as the demolition and reconstruction of the Spring Street and Long Street bridges over I-71 between Downtown Columbus and The Near East Side.
The new cultural wall is collaboration by two local artists: Kojo Kamau and Larry Winston Collins. Together, their combination of photography and block prints provides an informative walk through the history of the Near East Side of Columbus, celebrating notable people and places from the past and present that have made the neighborhood what it is today.
Last night’s festivities included a lawn chair party on the Long Street Bridge (closed to traffic for the event, of course) with live music, food trucks and a ribbon cutting ceremony for the artwork itself.
For ongoing discussion on future phases of the ODOT project, CLICK HERE to visit our Messageboard.
All photos by Walker Evans.
