By GUY WORLEY, GUEST COLUMNIST

On Thursday, July 7, 2011 dreams met reality when The Scioto Mile was unveiled in downtown Columbus.

For years, the community has talked about wanting to do something with the riverfront -- activate it, prioritize it, revitalize it.

While construction on the park began a few years ago, the actual idea was hatched more than a century ago.  In 1908, a study recommended that the city improve its waterfront. However, it would take years for the process to begin.

Mayor (Tom) Moody, during his second term would gather up reporters and put them in a canoe and give them a canoe ride up to the confluence of the Olentangy River, and he would say, “Look at this potential."

Under Moody's direction and vision, Bicentennial Park was built and dedicated on July 4, 1976.  Thirty years later, Mayor Michael Coleman picked up the torch and pushed to extend the green space and further enhance the experience for visitors.

The dream that led to The Scioto Mile was jump started with a key conversation that led to a historic public-private partnership.  In early 2007, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and Michael Morris, of AEP, made an important announcement about the redevelopment of the riverfront and the creation of The Scioto Mile, a $44 million public-private partnership development that runs along the banks of the Scioto River across from COSI and is expected to be a draw for families and people who live downtown.  The city of Columbus and AEP each contributed $10 million.  The public sector and the private sector partnered 50-50 in an unprecedented fundraising campaign to produce the world-class regional attraction along the riverfront.

The centerpiece is the 15,000-square-foot Scioto Mile Fountain in Bicentennial Park.  Consisting of five "halos" and 24 hedgerows, the fountain can create fog and mist, and the more than 1,000 jets in the hedgerow can be synchronized to create a "dancing" wall of water and provide a place for children to play in.  It is truly breathtaking to behold.

The Scioto Mile also features a restaurant, Milestone 229, which is named after its address on Civic Center Drive.  The restaurant was built to provide its customers with great views of their surroundings.  Headed by the same team that owns the Columbus Brewing Company Restaurant, Milestone 229 will feature unique dishes served in a stunning restaurant with an all-glass facade.  Eighty percent of the restaurant is windows offering a great view up the river, downtown, and the fountains. 

In addition to the Scioto Mile Fountain and Milestone 229, Bicentennial Park is home to a permanent Performing Arts Pavilion, which will be programmed by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. More than three acres of grass has also been added as part of the renovation, to offer plenty of space to enjoy the new riverfront amenities.

The Grand Promenade, a narrow, column-lined 1,200-foot walkway, leading from Battelle Park to Bicentennial Park will be a destination unto itself and is accented with numerous trellises, 24 benches, 12 swings, several pavilions, a beautiful colonnade, a restored historic balustrade.  It is further complemented by flower gardens and dozens of smaller, less-conspicuous fountains featuring more than 50 bronze fish and 300 bronze lily pads. Two pavilions with copper roofs provide cover for card and chess tables and chairs.  The entire stretch is wired for free Wi-Fi and a sound system is also nestled in the colonnade structure, allowing for music throughout the park.

To make room for the promenade, Civic Center Drive was reduced from five lanes to two. Much work was also done to the floodwall between Broad and Town streets, while a large section of the wall, south of Town, was removed completely.

The Scioto Mile joins the new Columbus Commons to create two jewels in the heart of downtown, defining the RiverSouth district that will continue to drive downtown development, increase tourism traffic and provide recreational and entertainment options to urban, suburban and rural residents alike.

Although the park has unmatched amenities, the real success lies in what the Scioto Mile represents. This project displays everything that makes Columbus a premiere city. The truly unparalleled collaboration between the public and private sectors served as both the catalyst and the engine for this project.

In addition to providing entertainment, Mayor Michael Coleman said he hopes the park with help set the record straight about Columbus.

"People call Columbus a cow town, and it irritates me so much because we're not," he said.  "But any doubters out there, Columbus goes from a cow town to a cool town because of this."

Coleman sees the riverfront development as a catalyst for jobs, housing and bait to entice business executives to relocate their companies to the city.

"It's not just the tax breaks you give them, it's about what happens when they get here," Coleman said.  "Are they able to enjoy the city?  Is it a high quality of life? Is it a city my employees want to be in? It's things like this that are tipping points for business to relocate in the city of Columbus."