COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the city of Columbus continues to grow, the number of projects aimed at improving its resident's quality of life has also grown.
In new data shared by Experience Columbus, the Greater Columbus area welcomed 51.2 million visitors, a new record, in 2023, up more than one and a half million compared to the previous year. Once in Columbus, the top three things that visitors do include entertainment activities, outdoor activities and cultural activities.
Mayor Andrew Ginther emphasized that the future of the city is always top of mind for people in Columbus.
"Having a thriving travel economy is critically important," Ginther said. "Many people who haven't ever been to Columbus who come here for the first time fall in love with the place."
One of the projects currently under development is the first fashion innovation hub in Columbus, set to be the largest in the Midwest.
Fashion innovation hub
Yogi Terrell, director of the Columbus Fashion Alliance, said the hub will be 45,000 square feet and will sit adjacent to the Columbus College of Art and Design and Columbus State Community College.
"Columbus has always been a leader in fashion, it's had different waves but now we're headed into a next wave and that next wave is really exciting," he said.
In addition, the city is looking to put more of an emphasis on public art displays.
"We're gonna have an explosion of public art here over the next five to 10 years. It's gonna be throughout the city. People are hungry for it," said Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Art Council.
Other recently announced projects include a $2 billion terminal renovation of John Glenn Columbus International Airport and the LinkUS Initiative, which looks to expand public transit, bikeways and sidewalks in central Ohio.