Meet Downtown Columbus Inc.: CDDC unveils its new identity
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation recently underwent a rebranding that it hopes will better reflect its mission of making Columbus a better place to live, work, and play.
Downtown Columbus Inc. was unveiled in March, along with a new website. The nonprofit organization was created in 2002 to implement the Downtown Strategic Plan and has since focused on "city changing collaborations" to make the Downtown area better connected and livable.
Madison Cole of Downtown Columbus Inc. explained the reasoning behind the switch. She said the new identity reflects the place it has always sought to promote and elevate.
"The old name was a bit of a mouthful and didn't align with the work we were doing," Cole said. "When we were rethinking our name, we wanted the place to be front and center."
Along with the name change, Downtown Columbus changed its logo. The new logo is characterized by shades of blue and green meant to symbolize Downtown's green gathering places like Columbus Commons and evoke the area's "blue-sky" potential.
The group's mission is not changing, Cole said, but moving forward.
"I would say it's growing and evolving just like our downtown," Cole said.
In February, a study released by the Bank of America Institute showed Columbus is the fastest growing city in the country. Cole said Downtown Columbus is ready to embrace the growth and that the increasing population could help the group in its efforts.
"We always say you can't be a strong city or a strong region without a strong Downtown," Cole said. "But it also means Columbus' growth is essential to fuel the continued rise of Downtown."
Cole pointed out multiple projects under way, including the Capital Line, two miles of pedestrian- and bike-friendly paths. Others include a proposed outdoor alcoholic beverage zone, the return of the Scioto Mile Fountain and free events at Columbus Commons.