§ 3359.01. Purpose.  


Latest version.
  • The Downtown District is intended to foster a better downtown through excellence in urban design. The district encourages investment in the downtown by providing a high level of development flexibility consistent with the eclectic nature of the City's, mixed-use, high-density center. The regulatory framework for new development is augmented by Design Guidelines and related development plans. The following principles inform this code and associated guidelines:

    A)

    Downtown is the region's neighborhood, serving as the center of government, corporate business, professional sports, the arts, museums and entertainment - a variety of regional facilities are supported in the Downtown to meet these needs.

    B)

    Downtown is also evolving into its own neighborhood, with a growing amount of housing with supporting retail, personal services restaurants and parks in a walkable environment.

    C)

    Downtown is the place for regional scale public open spaces focusing on the Scioto River and integrating a variety of cultural and recreational facilities.

    D)

    Downtown's built environment will continue to be enhanced and energized with new buildings, additions to existing structures, rehabilitation/conservation of historic and contributing buildings and improvements in the public realm that together promote quality design, long lasting building construction and materials, and attention to detail - especially at the street level.

    E)

    Adaptive reuse of existing buildings is generally preferable to demolition and new construction.

    F)

    Downtown will support a multi-modal transportation system that embraces walking, biking and transit as successful, efficient and safe alternatives to the automobile.

    G)

    Downtown's environment and character will promote visual energy and excitement.

    H)

    Downtown will serve as an example of environmentally sustainable design and construction methods.

    I)

    The downtown commission will serve as a public forum regarding issues impacting the built environment in downtown.

(Ord. No. 1532-2013, § 1, 7-15-2013)