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Creating stronger communities.
There is inspiration in the whole idea of quality of life and how space affects living. Neighborhoods are where we experience life. Our commitment to neighborhood revitalization through access to affordable, professional design services remains constant. There is value in all places.
We work in neighborhoods that others only talk about. We are equally balanced between authenticity, altruism, and thoughtfulness. We are respectful, transparent, and unbiased. Our model for community engagement consistently produces outstanding outcomes and allows us to paint the future-forward vision of what neighborhoods can be.
Funding Partners


Project Partners
Area Development Foundation of Knox County
BA Workshop
Campus Partners
City of Columbus
City of Worthington
Columbus and Franklin County Land Banks
The Columbus Foundation
Franklin County Economic Development & Planning
Franklinton Board of Trade
Fredericktown Community Development Foundation
Godman Guild
Greater Columbus Arts Council
King Business Interiors
Knox County Landmarks Foundation
Lumenomics
Meyers + Associates Architecture
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
The Ohio State University
Parsons Area Merchants Association
Prairie Township
RT Design Studio
St. Stephen’s Community House
Steiner + Associates
Tom E. Dailey Foundation
United Way of Central Ohio
University District Organization
Established in 1982, the NDC was first known as the Neighborhood Design Assistance Center. Led by architect Bob Busser, the center was located at 1128 North High Street in the Short North. The Neighborhood Design Center is part of a national movement for community design. The Community Design Center movement grew out of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.
The Short North was the first area for Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) funds in 1982. Offered assistance for residents to upgrade their homes as well as to business owners. Urban revitalization efforts under the NCR Program have been the basis of NDC’s work since its inception in 1982. On average, the NDC works on 40 NCR projects a year, using design and planning to bridge the gap between people and the built environment.
