COLUMBUS, Ohio — A study recently completed reveals the true impact of the Short North Arts District on Columbus’ economy and what needs to be done to continue growth in the area.
One big statistic from the study was how much the Short North contributed to Columbus’ economy. The Short North has a $3.8 billion economic impact. The district also outpaces Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine in its share of eating and drinking establishments and retail.
“Over 80% of the business community is locally owned and headquartered. Because of that, there is an incredible energy and synergy that comes from the business community that creates so much accessibility,” said Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance.
She said the Neighborhood Market and Consumer study was commissioned to get a better understanding of what was now driving the Short North.
"Really post-covid we didn’t understand the dynamics of the community anymore and change has been an integral picture of the Short North story,” said Pandora. “People’s lives have changed so much after the pandemic, whether that is our business owners or that’s our customers.”
Mary Ernst McColgan runs Rose Bredl Flowers in the Short North. She said business has been good with the recent weather.
“It was a little tough down here last summer, but it’s definitely picking up. Our Saturdays are just on fire down here. There’s just a lot of people out and it’s been good for us, I think,” she said.
She said she doesn’t have concerns about the people living in the Columbus suburbs not coming to the Short North.
“I think the Short North will always be a destination. It’s a great center location for the city that gets people from all the different parts,” McColgan said. “I know people always panic about the parking, but there are so many parking garages now that the city has invested in that I think we need to stop talking about parking.”
Safety has been a point of concern for some in the Short North. Pandora said they have made some progress.
“Safety is such a complex issue and there isn’t any one solution that addresses safety. What we know as a community that has encountered a lot of learning about safety, is that we have a really good plan that works,” Pandora said. “Year over year there has been a 37% reduction in violent crime incidents in the Short North area where violent crime is already relatively low compared to other parts of the city.”
One resident who lives in the Short North said the culture during the day is different from the culture of the night, saying the day is more professionally focused while the night focuses on the bar scene.
The study found that while the Short North Arts District is heavily linked to arts and culture, most customers come to drink and eat.