City of Columbus and the Neighborhood Design Center Announce Inaugural Winners of 614 Beautiful Grants
For Immediate Release
December 16, 2022
{COLUMBUS, OH} -- Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla along with the Department of Neighborhoods and the Neighborhood Design Center are excited to name the inaugural winners of the 614 Beautiful Grant Program.
614 Beautiful is a pilot program aimed at beautifying and unifying Columbus communities through place-based, public-facing improvements, achievable with $10,000 of project support. The program is an exercise in creative placemaking – an initiative that integrates art, culture, and design to strengthen communities by creating places to gather, opportunities to volunteer, and activities that respond to the local area.
“The idea for 614 Beautiful came from my experience as an AmeriCorps member and the idea that service can be a common meeting ground for communities," says Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla. "The projects awarded in this inaugural round of funding will do just that. The proposals are innovative, creative and intentional in their approach to addressing the needs of our people and neighborhoods across Columbus. It will be exciting to see the projects come to life and the lasting impact they will have for years to come.”
The 614 Beautiful program was aiming to fund projects such as pocket parks, landscape enhancements, streetscape and public right-of-way improvements, place making signage, and public art.
“The entries for the inaugural 614 Beautiful Grant reflect a range of ideas, innovation, and passion to uplift communities throughout Columbus," says NDC Director of Community Programs, Lisa Snyder. "This spirit is reflected in the eight winning proposals that not only beautify their neighborhoods but tackle issues around transit, accessibility, food access, and public perception. It is truly inspiring to see the level of creativity and consideration from our communities for our communities. I am very excited to see these projects come to life in the new year and celebrate the positive impact with our neighbors.”
The winners, their projects, and locations are as follows:
- 3D Printed Bus Stop for 161, 161 Task Force, Northland
- An innovative pilot for a 3D-printed bus shelter prototype to solve one facet of the transit problem
- Wayfinding and Identification Signage at South Side Family Farms, South Side Family Farms, South Side
- Artful Interpretive Signage, Franklinton Farms, Franklinton
- These two projects are community-minded sign strategies to educate the community and encourage engagement with events and programs
- Connect 4, Gertrude Wood Community Foundation, Near East/Livingston
- Sullivant Avenue Murals, New City Homes, Franklinton
- These two projects will be a celebration of community, past and present, through murals
- Parsons Avenue Banners, Parsons Area Merchants Association, South Side
- This project will help with branding and public art through a new banner series along Parsons Avenue
- Growing Hearts and Hands Legacy Garden, Growing Hearts and Hands Community Garden, Near East
- This project includes improvements to existing community garden to create a more inclusive space for community gatherings.
- “Tell Your Story” Mural and Space Activation, Hilltop Arts Collective, Hilltop
- This project is public art and space activation supporting a small business and the broader community
"This partnership builds capacity for our community organizations to strengthen our Neighborhoods," says Department of Neighborhoods Director, Carla Williams-Scott. "Public art is an essential component of a thriving Neighborhood and we are excited to see these projects come to fruition."
Councilmember Barroso de Padilla, Lisa Snyder and Director Williams-Scott would like to thank every single applicant for taking the time to come up with ideas to beautify their communities. They would also like to thank the jurors and advisory panel for their time and commitment to the selection process. For more information about 614 Beautiful, go to www.614beautiful.org.