Innovation Greenway Funds Approved

Bridget Castellini
Wordsworth Communications

Uptown Consortium, Inc. (UCI) recently received a state appropriation of $50,000 from S.B. 310, State Capital Budget funds to move forward into the next planning phase for the Innovation Greenway. This multi-acre green space will be integrated into the developments at Martin Luther King Drive and Reading Road with most of the Greenway running through the Node development. 

These funds are designated through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), which will work directly with UCI through this phase of the project.  

“We are grateful to our partners and the state representatives who helped us secure this funding for the Innovation Greenway,” said Beth Robinson, President and CEO of UCI. “The Innovation Greenway will be a vital amenity for the Avondale and Uptown community and for everyone who works in and visits these developments. We’re excited to continue working with our partners to finalize development plans.” 

UCI released updated site plans for the Greenway in October 2020, which include a prominent water feature, a bicycle path connecting to surrounding streets, and walking trails to make the area more pedestrian-friendly. The green space will also include public art installations, sitting areas, and other green spaces accessible to community members.   

Plans for the Innovation Greenway have been in development for roughly two years with Boston-based Sasaki. The plans follow the design principles UCI and Sasaki created for the developments: Great Streets, Great Spaces, and Great Places.  

UCI worked closely with DSD Advisors, its government relations partner, to generate support for the project and secure state funding. Several state legislators, including Senator Steve Wilson, Senator Cecil Thomas, Senator Bill Blessing, Representative Bill Seitz and Representative Brigid Kelly, provided critical support for the project in the state legislature.  

“We are grateful to the legislature and Governor DeWine for sharing UCI’s vision of the Innovation Greenway and investing state funds in the future development of the Uptown Community,” said Megan Hube, a director with DSD Advisors. 

“We believe that the Innovation Greenway will provide tremendous benefits to the Uptown community, and we’re so grateful to the state representatives and partners who supported us throughout this process,” said Robinson.  

UCI and Sasaki are working on revised development plans for the Innovation Greenway and plan to share the updated plans with community members later in 2021.