Frequently Asked Questions
What do Neighborhood Liaisons
do?
The Neighborhood Liaisons
serve as your direct link to city services. They are located in Neighborhood
Pride Centers in each region of Columbus. Liaisons work with residents, city
officials, and organizations to help your neighborhood thrive.
From reporting a neighborhood issue, to starting an Area Commission,
Neighborhood Liaisons are ready and committed to accepting your questions,
calls and emails to best serve your neighborhood. If you are unsure where to
start, your Neighborhood Liaison will make sure you are directed to the
appropriate city service.
Common examples include:
- To connect with or start a community organization
- To meet with your city representatives
- To ask a question about your neighborhood
- Learn more about your community
and much, much more!
Who is my Neighborhood Liaison?
Find your liaison here.
Additionally, you can
check your address on the Area Commission Map.
What do Area Commissions
do?
The purpose of an Area
Commission is to allow participation by residents in decision-making in an
advisory capacity and to facilitate communication, understanding, and
cooperation between neighborhood groups, city officials, and developers. This
is done by
- Creating plans and policies which shall serve as guidelines for
future development of the area
- Bringing the problems and needs of the area to the attention of
appropriate agencies or residents
- Reviewing zoning and other development related
applications
Learn more about your Area
Commission and how to get involved by contacting your Neighborhood Liaison or
the Area Commission Chair. You can find both on the Area Commission Map.
What is the difference
between an area commission and civic association?
Much like Area Commissions,
Civic Associations are made up of a group of residents that seeks to improve
the quality of their neighborhood or area. However, while there are only 20
Area Commissions in Columbus, there are hundreds of Civic Associations. The City of Columbus defines a Civic Association as: a non-public, volunteer, organization made up of the residents and other stakeholders of a geographically defined area of the city of Columbus establish for the purpose of providing a holistic approach to improving the quality of life in the aforementioned area.
The 311 Customer Service
Center is the single point of contact for requesting all non-emergency City
services and is available to residents, City businesses, and visitors. You can
call 311 for neighborhood issues such as
- Reporting a pothole on a city street
- Requesting repair for your 90 gallon refuse container
- Reporting a street light that needs repair
- Reporting an abandoned vehicle
- Reporting trash/debris in an alley or curb
If you are unsure of who to
get in touch with, your Neighborhood Liaison will make sure you are directed to
the appropriate city service.
Why am I so often referred to
311 for when I have a community concern?
When a request is made to
311, a Service Request (SR) is created. That SR is then forwarded to the City
Department that is best suited to complete the request. Using your SR number,
you are able to receive updates on the request you have made.
The 311 Customer Service
Center is the primary method by which the City receives, collects, and tracks
data related to City issues and requests. By making a 311 request, you are
ensuring that the information you provide can be tracked and distributed to the
most appropriate location for that request to be resolved.
I made a report to 311 but it
has not been addressed, who should I contact?
Using your Service Request (SR) number, you can check online or call 311 at (614) 645-3111 for an update on your request. Additionally, you may wish to follow up with the concern with your Neighborhood Liaison.