Columbus City Council Gathers Public Input on Zone In Phase Two as LinkUS West Broad Bus Rapid Transit Crosses 90% Design

Public Review Period Reaches Final Phase for Landmark 'Zone In Phase Two' Code Overhaul

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Mobilizing the most comprehensive zoning modernization in Central Ohio's history, the Columbus City Council and Mayor Andrew J. Ginther conducted high-profile public hearings in mid-October 2026 on Zone In Phase Two. The legislative overhaul updates zoning designations across approximately 70,000 parcels—encompassing 41% of the city’s land area—transforming outdated commercial strips, industrial zones, and institutional corridors into vibrant mixed-use residential neighborhoods.

Municipal demographic analyses project that the modern regulations will expand housing development capacity in targeted corridors from roughly 13,000 units under legacy codes to nearly 119,000 homes over the coming decade, creating attainable housing options near major job centers.

LinkUS West Broad Street Bus Rapid Transit Surpasses 90% Engineering Design

The zoning modernization aligns directly with the multi-billion-dollar LinkUS mobility initiative spearheaded by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), the City of Columbus, and Franklin County. COTA engineers confirmed that detailed design for the flagship West Broad Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor has exceeded the 90% completion milestone and satisfied Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grant risk requirements.

Design teams are also finalizing construction documents for the East Main Street BRT line, while design consultants begin detailed work on the Northwest corridor along Olentangy River Road to connect the Ohio State University campus and healthcare complexes.

Pedestrian Bikeways and Multi-Use Trails Enhance First-Mile Transit Connectivity

Financed through regional transit sales tax revenues, municipal public works crews accelerated construction on dozens of localized sidewalk, crosswalk, and bike path expansions. The integrated investments ensure that residents living in newly zoned neighborhoods can walk or cycle safely to high-frequency BRT boarding stations, reducing vehicular congestion across the metropolitan region.