News Releases
For immediate release
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Contact:
Erin Miller, Environmental Steward, 645-0815
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
As the city celebrates its 200th anniversary, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council and local partners have worked to make City Hall a welcoming gathering place for visitors and residents. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Lowes and the Columbus Apartment Association are partnering with the City of Columbus to showcase recent City Hall beautification efforts July 26. The event is open to the public and will be held on Portman Plaza, located on the south side of City Hall facing Broad Street at 10 am. In case of rain, the event will be held inside City Hall.
“Downtown radiates a new vibrancy drawing in residents and visitors,” said Mayor Coleman. “Beautification efforts at City Hall will ensure the building is consistent with the atmosphere conveyed at other key downtown locations on Gay Street, Bicentennial Park and the Columbus Commons.”
Renovations to City Hall include the beautification of landscaping and green space surrounding provided as a Bicentennial birthday gift to Columbus from Scotts Miracle-Gro. Additionally, the company provided live plantings inside the building and signage highlighting other noteworthy Downtown green spaces worth visiting.
“We value the partnership and shared vision with the City of Columbus and other organizations to make City Hall a welcoming green space,” said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and chief executive officer of ScottsMiracle-Gro. “Whether it’s the Scioto Mile, Goodale Park or now City Hall, we hope citizens will get out and enjoy the many public spaces our city has to offer.”
Other contributing organizations include Lowes which provided City Hall with large decorative numbers “1812-2012” as a garden accent as well as raised bed vegetable gardens on the north side of the building. The Columbus Apartment Association plants flowers at the building annually each spring. The city made site improvements include restoration of the historic Christopher Columbus statue as well as new efficient facade lighting. Additionally, two fountains on site will return to service on Thursday after having been inoperable for nearly 10 years.
“The grounds of City Hall belong to all of us and should be a source of pride for Columbus residents,” said Councilmember Tyson, chair of the Finance Committee. “The quality of care that has gone into this project is a direct reflection of the pride we feel in our community during this important Bicentennial celebration.”
