No Two Days are Alike: Operations Manager Tackles Diverse Tasks

Ben Barker, Operations Manager for Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs, as his title suggests, manages the operations of the SIDs' clean and safe teams. Sure, that entails some basic responsibilities, such as scheduling the Ambassador teams, coordinating seasonal duties such as snow and leaf removal, managing planting and maintenance of flowers throughout the district, and more. 

But in the four years Barker has been with the SID, it's become clear that he is a true Jack of all trades, always finding creative and resourceful ways to handle tricky situations. How so? Well, here is a top ten list of quirky responsibilities Barker has been known to tackle.

1. Animal Control: Duck Edition: Read the heartwarming story of the duck rescue here.

2. Weed Control: He doesn't just purchase a vat of Weed B Gone from Lowe's. Barker actually earned a special license in order to provide proper weed control through the district.

State of Downtown Columbus

Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts prepare semi-annual economic development reports. You can read the Year End 2015 report here

Highlights of the report include:

Downtown's population grew to an estimated 7,700 residents and is expected to pass 10,000 in 2017.


 

The apartment occupancy rate is at 96 percent as residents move into new rental units 

Six new housing projects were announced in the last half of 2015.

Downtown's office vacancy rate dropped to 12.1 percent from 13.2 percent a year ago.

$150 million of new investments were announced in the second half of 2015 including ParksEdge condominiums in the Arena District, a Home2Suites Hotel in Market Exchange and two apartment buildings at the corner of Front and Main.

If after reading the report you have any questions, you can contact Marc Conte, Deputy Director of Research, Planning & Facilities, or Kacey Brankamp, Director of Strategic Initiatives.
Business Member Spotlight: Greyhound Lines Inc.

Michael Janus is passionate about his position with Greyhound Lines Inc., the largest motorcoach operator in the United States. As the City Manager for the Columbus Greyhound terminal, he sees first-hand the importance of the organization's mission to provide solutions for an increasingly congested world, keeping people moving and communities prospering.

"Those who travel through Greyhound Lines may have a fear of flying, limited transportation options, are seeking to receive stellar service, or just looking to save money on gas," said Janus. "Our brand is synonymous with affordable short and long distance travel in North America."

New Business Members

Thank you to these businesses who have demonstrated their commitment to downtown by becoming Capital Crossroads SID Business Members. The following business members have joined recently:

Advocate Level:
Information and Communication Services, LLC



Pearl Alley Lights Downtown

 If you've walked through Pearl Alley on your way to Gay Street, you've noticed work crews or the spray-painted squares and arrows stretching down the brick walkway. Alley improvements of more than $1 million to Pearl and Lynn Alleys began early this spring. The City of Columbus and Capital Crossroads SID both are confident that these improvements will help lure retailers to the area, as well as upgrade the sight of the ever-popular Pearl Market. The improvements include electrical work, new lighting, replacing bricks, and enclosures for the trash bins. Two historic clocks, which were previously restored by the Downtown Residents Association of Columbus, will also be installed. The refurbished clocks will be installed at North High Street and East Lynn Street and at 21 East Gay Street. Click here for more details.























Dear Capital Crossroads SID Member:   

Spring has finally arrived, bringing bustle back to the streets of downtown. Pearl Market will return in early June to alleys that have been upgraded with more than $1 million in infrastructure improvements. And fans of the Gay Street Collaborative's Moonlight Market will be glad to hear that the Collaborative has added a monthly Sunlight Market is on the horizon as well. You can learn more about both in this edition of Downtown Matters.

Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs work daily to keep downtown safe for residents, workers and visitors; our relationship and coordination with Columbus Division of Police is essential to those efforts. You can read more below (spoiler alert: Downtown is consistently one of the safest neighborhoods in the city). Safe or not, life is hard for those living on the streets. The SIDs are proud of our Outreach program, which continues to successfully move individuals into permanent housing, and have expanded it this spring with a new hire.

We recently completed the reauthorization of Capital Crossroads, and I remain grateful to our property owners for your support of our efforts. We are also thankful for the voluntary support of our Business Members and recognize one member, Greyhound Lines, in this edition. The work of the SIDs is certainly varied, so it's no surprise that our operations manager, Ben Barker, is a Jack of all trades. Enjoy a fun list of his more unusual responsibilities.

Thank you for your continued support as we make Downtown Columbus the cleanest, safest and best place to live, work and play.

Warmest regards,
Cleve Ricksecker
Executive Director
  
Keeping Downtown Safe: Precinct Liaison Officer Supports SID Efforts

The relatively low crime rate in downtown is not an accident. Hard work by Columbus Division of Police, in partnership with Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts and private security throughout the area, is essential to maintaining safety. Central to the SIDs' mission of making Downtown Columbus the cleanest and safest neighborhood in central Ohio are safety initiatives, including the Security Managers Information Network (SMINO), a public/private partnership, which was recognized by the National Homeland Security Association as a national model.

The SID's relationship with the Columbus Division of Police is crucial to the success of this partnership. Officer Samuel Peck has been the 16th Precinct Liaison Officer with SIDs since October 2015. In this role, Peck smooths communication between downtown residents, business owners and employees with the City of Columbus. He also coordinates enforcement efforts through Columbus Division of Police's front line patrol, the Detective Bureau and Code Enforcement to help improve the community and create a safer downtown neighborhood. Learn more here.
 
Outreach Program's Success Leads to Additional Hire

In early April, Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs added a second outreach position due to the success of Bill Cobun and, unfortunately, the need on the streets (you can read about Cobun's efforts here). Keith Severs was promoted to Outreach Specialist from his position as a first shift team captain, joining Cobun in this vital role.

Severs has worked with Capital Crossroads for more than a year. He advanced through the ambassador ranks at a quick pace thanks to his dedication and natural leadership skills. He became interested in the outreach position because he had been interacting regularly with the homeless in his previous role, often putting them in touch with Cobun.

"As an ambassador, I had daily interactions with the homeless downtown, helping them to get housing, meals or in touch with Bill (Cobun)," explained Severs. "My days would start with a health and well-being check of downtown to make sure the homeless population was safe, especially in cold weather. When I learned about the new outreach position, I knew it was what I wanted to do." You can learn more about Keith Severs and his passion for helping others here.
 
Capital Crossroads SID Reauthorized Through 2021

In March, Capital Crossroad SID's reauthorization efforts culminated in a petition to Columbus City Council to levy an assessment on property owners to pay for services for the period between January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021. This step followed the required 60 percent of property owners within the SID district boundary agreeing to reauthorize the SID and its services. Both the Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts require reauthorization within a five-year window in order to prevent an automatic termination of services.

The reauthorization ensures that the services that Capital Crossroads provides will continue for another five years. The SID operates Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays and from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. During the summer months, the hours are extended to 2 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday night.

During these hours, the SID Ambassadors work to keep Downtown Columbus the cleanest, safest and best place in central Ohio to live, work and play. The Clean Team ambassadors provide daily litter control on sidewalks, curb lines and alleys; graffiti removal; power washing of sidewalks and alleys April through November; snow removal at crosswalks and storm sewer drains during the winter months; weed control; cleaning of public fixtures; and reporting of broken streetlights, traffic signals and fixtures to the City of Columbus. The work of the Safety Ambassadors includes daily safety patrols; support for the Columbus Division of Police as extra "eyes and ears"; intervening to eliminate quality of life problems such as panhandling and public intoxication; offering assistance to the public, including directions, safety escorts and information about retail, restaurants and attractions; and outreach services to help the homeless. Click here to read more.
 
SID Helps Introduce Building and Zoning Staff to Local Developers

As development continues to flourish downtown, the City of Columbus Building and Zoning Services plays a vital role in ensuring quality, safe development. In April, Capital Crossroads SID convened a "meet and greet" reception to introduce two new staff members with the Building and Zoning Services (BZS) department to area developers. Amit Ghosh joined the department as Chief Building Official and Ryan Schick as Small Business Concierge.

Ghosh has joined the City of Columbus after serving as Chief Building Official in Cincinnati. He is respected for his professionalism and was hired to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the department. Schick will be the first Small Business Concierge in Columbus, taking on this new position to help entrepreneurs navigate the regulations and permits required by the City. You can learn more here.
Race Course Regulations Expand

Before the runners, walkers and crowds gather at the race start line, there a lot of work goes on behind the scenes, including getting approval for the race course. As interest in road racing has increased, so to have the demands these races put on the community. Each race course and event has a ripple effect on businesses and individuals whose lives intersect it. Several years ago, Columbus City Council passed legislation that required race organizers to apply for a permit at least 30 days prior to an event and to reach out to affected neighborhoods along the race course, sharing a map and event details.

This winter, the City expanded regulations on races to further minimize their effect on neighborhoods, particularly downtown, which is home to large numbers of race events. With increased development and residential living, the City must strike a balance between the impact of a race and the use of city infrastructure, such as roads and parks. Starting this spring and summer, when the race season heats up, race organizers will have a selection of standardized downtown race courses to choose from. Only events with more than 1,000 participants will be allowed to be held completely on a downtown street course, and only events with more than 7,500 participants will be allowed to use portions of Third, Fourth, High and Front streets. Click here to learn more.
Under the Sun and the Moon: Sunlight Market Arrives on Gay Street

Over the past several years, thousands of visitors have shopped under the stars during the Gay Street Collaborative's popular Moonlight Market. Sun-lovers and day-time shoppers can get into the action on the third Sunday of the month at the Sunlight Market. 

Both markets offer a wide variety of shopping, food and entertainment experiences from both brick-and-mortar businesses on Gay Street and sidewalk vendors and pop-up shops. Visitors can explore artisan vendors and local shops, while enjoying special menus, drink specials and more. The environment is enlivened with street musicians, street magicians, unicyclers and other entertainment. Learn more here.
Capital Crossroads and Discovery SID Publications

 
In addition to this quarterly publication, Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs have other communications pieces you may want to receive. Each Tuesday, more than 6,000 downtown workers, residents and visitors enjoy Right Now Downtown, which is chock full of fun events, special offers and ticket giveaways to downtown events. On Wednesday, more than 1,000 subscribers receive Downtown News Network, a more thorough look at the events happening downtown, as well as news on retail, dining and more.
 
To subscribe to either of these, click here. And for those foodies who want to receive an extra recipe or two, click here and let us know that you want to receive the Pearl Market newsletter on Mondays during the Pearl Market season.
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