You’re probably familiar with the 1946 hit song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” about the iconic highway that traverses the majority of the US, inspiring Americans to pack up their cars to explore the array of sights the country offers. While this song was covered by numerous black artists, such as Nat King Cole and Chuck Berry, during the segregated Jim Crow era it was scary—and often life-threatening—for black Americans to travel around the United States. Self-proclaimed “su

It’s once again that time of year when students and employers alike begin preparing for the shift that comes with the end of the spring semester; students frantically finish their portfolios and dust off their blazers while firms evaluate their need for new talent and prepare to host interviews. NDC is following suit. Last month at the annual Knowlton School of Architecture career fair, many employers set up displays and welcomed students as they made rounds, discussing the w

I attended the National Walking Summit on September 24 hosted by America Walks, a national nonprofit organization that offers resources to individuals and communities to help make places more accessible, equitable, and enjoyable to walk in. America Walks works with all levels of government and other organizations to train and support them in how to improve walkability in their communities, as well as increasing visibility and consumer demand. Taking place at the Hilton in do

If you stop by the NDC, you’ll probably notice a few new faces around the office. NDC is always fortunate and delighted to have such talented students on our team since their talent, perspective and enthusiasm are truly the engine moving our mission forward. Please help us in welcoming our new (and continuing) interns and stay tuned for more office happenings! SALMA ABDELRAHMAN // ARCHITECTURE Salma is an Architecture student at the Ohio State University. She’s curious about

On the evening of September 19th community members, board members, project partners, city officials, staff, and students gathered to reflect on and honor NDC’s accomplishments over the past year. Throughout the office current and recently finished work was displayed, and those in attendance browsed and discussed the projects with the staff. Many discussions revolved around the HIlltop Community Plan, one of NDC’s most extensive projects in 2018-19. It was a lovely evening of

Students presenting project findings from a youth engagement activity in Spring 2019 Community planning efforts by the NDC in the Linden and Hilltop neighborhoods have created an avenue for collaboration between the NDC and the Knowlton School of Architecture’s City and Regional Planning Department, through studio work targeting these two neighborhoods. During the 2017-18 academic year, students explored a variety of topics ranging from food access and alley revitalization t

NDC has been fortunate to provide design services to under-served communities in the region over the last 36 years.  While our work has allowed us to serve the Central Ohio region, Ohio has the unique distinction in that there are four community-based design centers that reach nearly the entire state: The Toledo Design Center (TDC), a nonprofit, advocates for the northwestern region of the state, while the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC) and the Niehoff Studio, un

Spring has sprung, signifying a change in the season and a time of change for the NDC. Every year, NDC uses this time of year to look for fresh talent by attending the Knowlton School of Architecture Career Fair. This annual event gives us a great opportunity to meet prospective interns and share more about who we are and what we do. We are fortunate to have current student interns present during the event, giving interested students a chance to hear firsthand about the NDC i

Xia joined The Neighborhood Design Center in September 2015 as an Intern while he was working toward his Interior Design degree at Ohio State University.  In July 2017, he was promoted to full-time staff member at NDC.  Xia is usually a pretty quiet guy, until you start talking to him about food… What drew you to the NDC while you were still in school?  Isabela was my “co-professor” for a semester, as one of my interior design professors invited her to guide us through one of

On Tuesday, January 22, new parking regulations went into effect for the Short North area, including streets around the NDC office. Parking updates include: The West side of Summit St. is now paid parking or permit parking only. Both sides of 8th Ave. are now paid parking or permit parking only. Both sides of Indianola are now paid parking or permit parking only. The East side of Summit St. remains free public parking. To park in paid parking zones, use the ParkColumbus app,

Kerry came to the Design Center in 2016 amidst a successful career as a Landscape Architect, eager to dive into a new and exciting professional life.  Since we plan on keeping him around for a while, we thought we should dig a little deeper into the “ins and outs” of this interesting fellow… Where did you attend college?  I graduated with my BS in Landscape Architecture from Kansas State University in 1989. What was your professional journey before coming to NDC?  I worked a

NDC welcomed Matt in the summer of 2017 as a Senior Planner. Though we haven’t known him for long, the following interview confirms our suspicion: that we hit the jackpot with this addition to our team. Tell me a little bit about your history-your studies and experience.  Well, I went to OSU for both undergrad and grad school- I have a B.A. in History and a Master of City and Regional Planning.  My first job out of college was the Legislative Service Commission (LSC) Fellowsh

After 18 months, the OneLinden plan was released and announced by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther at St. Stephen’s Community House on Oct. 23. The following day, the mayor discussed the plan at the Columbus Metropolitan Club in front of a sold out audience. The comprehensive plan includes action steps to improve transportation, housing, help Linden residents find jobs, reduce crime and improve safety, build business and reconstruct major corridors through the neighborhood. Ginther sa

On Thursday, Nov. 8 many residents of the Hilltop area came together for the second Hilltop Community Plan working meeting. Held at the Boys & Girls Club at 85 Clarendon, the group enjoyed dinner before starting two activities. The first was an individual exercise designed to understand the future aspirations residents have for their neighborhood. Vision 2038 asked participants to imagine moving away from the Hilltop for 20 years and returning. How would they want the communi

Representing much of Columbus’ West Side, the Hilltop is a historic neighborhood with beautiful homes, intriguing topography, and a business district along W. Broad Street. As part of its focus on neighborhoods, the City of Columbus is investing in a plan for the neighborhood—focusing on people, place, and home. With support from the Department of Neighborhoods, the Neighborhood Design Center attended community festivals, markets, civic meetings, and other special events over

Joined by dozens of project partners, board members, community members, city officials, staff and students — the NDC family celebrated our work at last night’s Open House. Brief remarks were offered at 6pm by David Brehm (current NDC board chair), Isabela Gould (Executive Director), City Council President Shannon Hardin, and Nick Bankston (Project Manager, Dept. of Neighborhoods). Our recent and current projects were featured on boards throughout the space, with a focus on th

Lisa began at the Neighborhood Design Center in 2014 upon graduation with her Master of Architecture degree from Ohio State. After all these years, we ask the question: who is Lisa really? Where did you attend undergrad? I graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with an architecture degree in 2012. What jobs did you have before working at the NDC? Honestly, lots of random non-related jobs: outreach intern at the Columbus Museum of Art, a variety of retail jobs, and lots of c

Representing much of Columbus’ West Side, the Hilltop is a historic neighborhood with beautiful homes, intriguing topography, and a business district along W. Broad Street. As part of its focus on neighborhoods, the City of Columbus is investing in a plan for the neighborhood—focusing on people, place, and home. With support from the Department of Neighborhoods, the Neighborhood Design Center is attending community festivals, markets, civic meetings, and other special events

As the saying goes, “out with the old, in with the new!” This May, NDC welcomed three new interns to our team.  These three Ohio State students join our full time staff and our two returning interns (so, not “out with the old” altogether…)  Student interns give the office and our projects new energy and perspective, and we look forward to seeing what our team will accomplish in the coming year.  Meet our new interns below! PAITYN MONAGAN // LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Paityn studi

The Neighborhood Design Center welcomed members of the International Town & Gown Association (ITGA) to our office on May 29 as part of their annual conference, hosted this year by The Ohio State University and the City of Columbus. Founded in 2008, the ITGA seeks to address challenges and discover opportunities between institutions of higher learning and the communities in which they reside. The NDC played host to the first part of a pre-conference walking tour coordinated by