Speaker 1
Hello and welcome to Ask the Mayor on WFIU I'm Joe Hren from WFIU WTIU News, this week we're joined one last time by Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop. Hello and welcome.
Unknown Speaker
Welcome to welcome to Columbus. Welcome to NexusPark.
Speaker 1
Yeah, so I just gonna let everyone know you might hear some noise in the background. We're at the mostly Well, it was vacant. It's still kind of vacant, it's getting there, Fair Oaks mall and the city bought it being turned into sports health complex, with a massive fieldhouse - we just took a look at the size it's mammoth. I still can't believe how big it is. But this has to be one of your proudest projects.
Speaker 2
I remember when I was a young boy. I played baseball across the street at Lincoln Park and my brother and I would come by this place and just comment about the fact that it would make a great addition to the park, at the time we were thinking about as outdoor basketball and just some running, track, running facility. But that never happened. And so several years ago, the ownership of the mall decided that they wanted to try to move that. So actually the city in partnership with Columbus Regional Health and the Heritage Fund, Community Foundation, and Bartholomew County put together the money to buy it.
Unknown Speaker
Completion you were saying early next year?
Speaker 2
yeah, it'll come along in phases. You know, we expect the first phase will be the Columbus Regional Health Facilities. They're going to move there, many of the practices that they own the pediatricians, the internist, the OB GYN, family practice, will be moved in there along with some of their diagnostic activities. They'll have occupational therapy, physical therapy, and they'll have a small pharmacy that will be able to dispense commonly prescribed medicines. And so that should come online and in phases, really through April of next year. I anticipate having a grand opening for them, you know, sometime probably first quarter of next year early in the first quarter. That will be one phase, you know, that will open up. We'll have a second phase, which would be the fieldhouse, which we talked about earlier about 150,000 square feet under roof 75 foot tall at the apex in the center there. It's going to be big. So we'll have 100,000 of the 150 will be the soccer field, artificial turf, the other 50,000 will be hard court. And so we'll have room again for collegiate basketball, high school basketball, and enough pickleball and volleyball to go around, you know, so we're excited about that. Then the third phase will be the Parks Department will move up here not only with their own facilities, but with some community meeting rooms, a fitness center, teaching kitchen, various, you know, amenities that will be provided, all with a focus on health, wellness and recreation. And then the fourth of a grand opening will be the exterior. You know, we anticipate having to do a little bit of work with the parking lot. We're going to put in a green space or a small park on the south side of this facility between the main entrance and 25th Street. Just to you know, give it a little bit of a bridge to Lincoln Park to the south of us and and help people understand that, yeah, this really is a park.
Unknown Speaker
You're gonna come back and use it as a resident.
Speaker 2
Absolutely. Yeah. I don't know if I'll be here every day. But yeah, I do anticipate being here often.
Speaker 1
What kind of plans do you have set for January 1?
Speaker 2
Well, you should ask my wife I mean, ask Pam on what we're going to be doing. But seriously, we'll just number one retire. You know, I had contemplated retirement eight years ago, and I kind of got talked into doing this and It's been a good run, I've enjoyed this, it's been very worthwhile. But we're going to retire this time make it stick. I've got two grandchildren that my wife and I did not have eight years ago. So we're going to spend some time with them. They don't live here, live down in Texas. So there's a little bit of coordination required to go see them. And a little bit of commitment in terms of time, but we're going to do that travel a little bit. We enjoy just getting around the country, and maybe do something overseas or take a cruise. I mean, it's all free for right now to be determined, but we're, we're just kind of excited about being relaxed. Yeah.
Speaker 1
What did you learn the most from the Columbus residents from being mayor?
Speaker 2
I think a lot of it's got to do with how much they care. And, and sort of realize that the Columbus can at times be a really special place, kind of a neat place to raise your family, to just spend your time. I mean, we have a great set of amenities here locally, people tend to take care of the place, I oftentimes talk about the difference between owners and renters, you know, not to disparage anybody who rents because, you know, I've done that. But the point is, we want people who are invested here, you know, who are going to build their lives here. And I've been able to see that firsthand, you know, in the last eight years, and it's kind of heartening to see people sort of adopt your town or to move here and feel like that this is where I belong, you know, so yeah, that's been fun. It's been fun to work with.
Speaker 1
How about your biggest piece of advice, as mayor-elect Ferdon comes in next?
Speaker 2
She's very capable. But just every now and then you're just gonna have to take a breath, you know, and and let it pass. Again, that's one of the phrases that we've shared from time to time that this too shall pass. I mean, there are always going to be issues. I mean, we dealt with a fair amount of I wouldn't call it unrest, but some kind of consternation, you know, racial consternation, back around the time of George Floyd. And shortly after that, and concerns about insensitivity, you know, that some of our residents exhibited towards people of color. And while you know, you can't let that stuff go without, you know, trying to address it, you do have to realize that, you know, that's not the way most people feel. And so we need to sort of let time take its course, you know, some of those issues. At the same point, you know, we've got, excuse me, for fumbling, this whole NexusPark thing has taken a long time to put to bring it together. So patience is often rewarded, particularly in politics and government.
Speaker 1
And, you know, you could say that about the overpass to something that you had to deal with the state and you're dealing with federal unfunded mandates, and so forth. What's something that if you could wish upon mayors from the state, what kind of help do you think the state could provide more?
Speaker 2
Well, I think that the legislature could back up a little bit, and sort of reread the Home Rule statutes, you know, that we are all adults down here. And we do know how to manage our affairs. And so sometimes that notion doesn't carry forward real clearly from the legislature. But it's difficult to work with a variety of other governmental agencies, because everybody's got their own portion of the sandbox, so to speak. And, you know, they've got to give their reports for whatever it is you want to do. We've got a great experience of that on the riverfront. I mean, just dealing with DNR, and IDEM and Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency, and probably a couple in there that I missed. And, trying to thread your way through all that is, is a challenge. So yeah, you have to have a lot of patience, you have to realize that this is all gonna work out. But it's just gonna take some time a little bit of work.
Speaker 1
Before we go, is there any thing we need to know, I did see that the testing came back from the water well. Right. So no PFAS, the shutting down of the one well worked.
Speaker 2
You know, we still have a lot to learn, you know, in terms of where this stuff comes from, and why it's in some wells and not in others. I think it talks to the fact that we need to be diligent with respect to our testing, you know, we have to have a testing regimen that is followed on a regular basis. At the same time, you know, there's not a lot of places that you can take this water and test for this. I mean, the quantities that we're testing are so small a trillion is like a second out of 100 years. I mean, it's just so small, but yet, you know, we want it out of there. We don't want to deal with it. But man, it's a challenge. So, again, we've got a great team at Columbus City utilities, and they devised a process for us to try to eliminate the PFAS, get it down under the detection limits that have been given to us by DNR and EPA. And so yeah, put a little confidence in the folks we've hired to do this and give them the tools they need. And, you know, we'll get a good answer.
Speaker 1
Is there anything else pressing moving through this transition process?
Speaker 2
At the city, whenever there's a change in mayors, there's always some questions about, you know, some of the administrative positions, you know, and I think, in talking to Mary, you know, it's going to be pretty much a seamless operation We've got a new person coming on Eric Frey, who will be the executive director of administration, you know, part of the role that Mary had previously, we've got some other people who will, you know, change their role slightly, but there's not going to be a big change in personnel, you know, the police chief will remain a fire chief stays, at least for the short run, I mean, you know, their determination as to whether they move on. But I think from the citizens perspective, it's gonna be a pretty smooth transition.
Unknown Speaker
Is Columbus changing?
Speaker 2
Well, everything changes all the time. I mean, it's sort of been one of my little mantras that, you know, it's all changing. So you just have to manage the change so it changes on a direction that you prefer, we will add, or we have added 1000 people a year, on average, over the last 10 years, we now have over 50,000 people, so we're going to be a class two study that will be a change, we've got a big development coming on out west of town called City View, which is another hospital related project. And so yeah, there will always be change. And we just hope that it happens at a pace that we can react to it. And in general, I think that, you know, the the population increase of the spoke of a moment ago, about 1000 people a year, that's something that we can handle, you know, the school corporation can respond to that, the hospital can respond to that, our police and fire can can manage, you know, that kind of an increase. Those communities that grow, and I've seen a few that grow 10 to 20% a year, it really stresses the institutions that are required to support the various services that a community offers. So we've not had to deal with that. But, I feel good about Columbus as prospects, I think that we're well positioned economically. And we'll continue to be an attractive place for people to move to. And I like to say, I feel pretty good about that.
Speaker 1
Thank you so much for doing this. All the years. I know, mayors don't have to do this show. But we do really appreciate the time that you spent.
Speaker 2
You're welcome. It's hard to believe it's been eight years. I mean, it's gone by very quickly. I've joked that if I could get a one year extension on my contract, you know, I might have done that. But four years was just a little bit more than Pam and I had available for this. But Joe, I've enjoyed it as well. Thanks for coming by.
Hello and welcome to Ask the Mayor on WFIU I'm Joe Hren from WFIU WTIU News, this week we're joined one last time by Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop. Hello and welcome.
Unknown Speaker
Welcome to welcome to Columbus. Welcome to NexusPark.
Speaker 1
Yeah, so I just gonna let everyone know you might hear some noise in the background. We're at the mostly Well, it was vacant. It's still kind of vacant, it's getting there, Fair Oaks mall and the city bought it being turned into sports health complex, with a massive fieldhouse - we just took a look at the size it's mammoth. I still can't believe how big it is. But this has to be one of your proudest projects.
Speaker 2
I remember when I was a young boy. I played baseball across the street at Lincoln Park and my brother and I would come by this place and just comment about the fact that it would make a great addition to the park, at the time we were thinking about as outdoor basketball and just some running, track, running facility. But that never happened. And so several years ago, the ownership of the mall decided that they wanted to try to move that. So actually the city in partnership with Columbus Regional Health and the Heritage Fund, Community Foundation, and Bartholomew County put together the money to buy it.
Unknown Speaker
Completion you were saying early next year?
Speaker 2
yeah, it'll come along in phases. You know, we expect the first phase will be the Columbus Regional Health Facilities. They're going to move there, many of the practices that they own the pediatricians, the internist, the OB GYN, family practice, will be moved in there along with some of their diagnostic activities. They'll have occupational therapy, physical therapy, and they'll have a small pharmacy that will be able to dispense commonly prescribed medicines. And so that should come online and in phases, really through April of next year. I anticipate having a grand opening for them, you know, sometime probably first quarter of next year early in the first quarter. That will be one phase, you know, that will open up. We'll have a second phase, which would be the fieldhouse, which we talked about earlier about 150,000 square feet under roof 75 foot tall at the apex in the center there. It's going to be big. So we'll have 100,000 of the 150 will be the soccer field, artificial turf, the other 50,000 will be hard court. And so we'll have room again for collegiate basketball, high school basketball, and enough pickleball and volleyball to go around, you know, so we're excited about that. Then the third phase will be the Parks Department will move up here not only with their own facilities, but with some community meeting rooms, a fitness center, teaching kitchen, various, you know, amenities that will be provided, all with a focus on health, wellness and recreation. And then the fourth of a grand opening will be the exterior. You know, we anticipate having to do a little bit of work with the parking lot. We're going to put in a green space or a small park on the south side of this facility between the main entrance and 25th Street. Just to you know, give it a little bit of a bridge to Lincoln Park to the south of us and and help people understand that, yeah, this really is a park.
Unknown Speaker
You're gonna come back and use it as a resident.
Speaker 2
Absolutely. Yeah. I don't know if I'll be here every day. But yeah, I do anticipate being here often.
Speaker 1
What kind of plans do you have set for January 1?
Speaker 2
Well, you should ask my wife I mean, ask Pam on what we're going to be doing. But seriously, we'll just number one retire. You know, I had contemplated retirement eight years ago, and I kind of got talked into doing this and It's been a good run, I've enjoyed this, it's been very worthwhile. But we're going to retire this time make it stick. I've got two grandchildren that my wife and I did not have eight years ago. So we're going to spend some time with them. They don't live here, live down in Texas. So there's a little bit of coordination required to go see them. And a little bit of commitment in terms of time, but we're going to do that travel a little bit. We enjoy just getting around the country, and maybe do something overseas or take a cruise. I mean, it's all free for right now to be determined, but we're, we're just kind of excited about being relaxed. Yeah.
Speaker 1
What did you learn the most from the Columbus residents from being mayor?
Speaker 2
I think a lot of it's got to do with how much they care. And, and sort of realize that the Columbus can at times be a really special place, kind of a neat place to raise your family, to just spend your time. I mean, we have a great set of amenities here locally, people tend to take care of the place, I oftentimes talk about the difference between owners and renters, you know, not to disparage anybody who rents because, you know, I've done that. But the point is, we want people who are invested here, you know, who are going to build their lives here. And I've been able to see that firsthand, you know, in the last eight years, and it's kind of heartening to see people sort of adopt your town or to move here and feel like that this is where I belong, you know, so yeah, that's been fun. It's been fun to work with.
Speaker 1
How about your biggest piece of advice, as mayor-elect Ferdon comes in next?
Speaker 2
She's very capable. But just every now and then you're just gonna have to take a breath, you know, and and let it pass. Again, that's one of the phrases that we've shared from time to time that this too shall pass. I mean, there are always going to be issues. I mean, we dealt with a fair amount of I wouldn't call it unrest, but some kind of consternation, you know, racial consternation, back around the time of George Floyd. And shortly after that, and concerns about insensitivity, you know, that some of our residents exhibited towards people of color. And while you know, you can't let that stuff go without, you know, trying to address it, you do have to realize that, you know, that's not the way most people feel. And so we need to sort of let time take its course, you know, some of those issues. At the same point, you know, we've got, excuse me, for fumbling, this whole NexusPark thing has taken a long time to put to bring it together. So patience is often rewarded, particularly in politics and government.
Speaker 1
And, you know, you could say that about the overpass to something that you had to deal with the state and you're dealing with federal unfunded mandates, and so forth. What's something that if you could wish upon mayors from the state, what kind of help do you think the state could provide more?
Speaker 2
Well, I think that the legislature could back up a little bit, and sort of reread the Home Rule statutes, you know, that we are all adults down here. And we do know how to manage our affairs. And so sometimes that notion doesn't carry forward real clearly from the legislature. But it's difficult to work with a variety of other governmental agencies, because everybody's got their own portion of the sandbox, so to speak. And, you know, they've got to give their reports for whatever it is you want to do. We've got a great experience of that on the riverfront. I mean, just dealing with DNR, and IDEM and Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency, and probably a couple in there that I missed. And, trying to thread your way through all that is, is a challenge. So yeah, you have to have a lot of patience, you have to realize that this is all gonna work out. But it's just gonna take some time a little bit of work.
Speaker 1
Before we go, is there any thing we need to know, I did see that the testing came back from the water well. Right. So no PFAS, the shutting down of the one well worked.
Speaker 2
You know, we still have a lot to learn, you know, in terms of where this stuff comes from, and why it's in some wells and not in others. I think it talks to the fact that we need to be diligent with respect to our testing, you know, we have to have a testing regimen that is followed on a regular basis. At the same time, you know, there's not a lot of places that you can take this water and test for this. I mean, the quantities that we're testing are so small a trillion is like a second out of 100 years. I mean, it's just so small, but yet, you know, we want it out of there. We don't want to deal with it. But man, it's a challenge. So, again, we've got a great team at Columbus City utilities, and they devised a process for us to try to eliminate the PFAS, get it down under the detection limits that have been given to us by DNR and EPA. And so yeah, put a little confidence in the folks we've hired to do this and give them the tools they need. And, you know, we'll get a good answer.
Speaker 1
Is there anything else pressing moving through this transition process?
Speaker 2
At the city, whenever there's a change in mayors, there's always some questions about, you know, some of the administrative positions, you know, and I think, in talking to Mary, you know, it's going to be pretty much a seamless operation We've got a new person coming on Eric Frey, who will be the executive director of administration, you know, part of the role that Mary had previously, we've got some other people who will, you know, change their role slightly, but there's not going to be a big change in personnel, you know, the police chief will remain a fire chief stays, at least for the short run, I mean, you know, their determination as to whether they move on. But I think from the citizens perspective, it's gonna be a pretty smooth transition.
Unknown Speaker
Is Columbus changing?
Speaker 2
Well, everything changes all the time. I mean, it's sort of been one of my little mantras that, you know, it's all changing. So you just have to manage the change so it changes on a direction that you prefer, we will add, or we have added 1000 people a year, on average, over the last 10 years, we now have over 50,000 people, so we're going to be a class two study that will be a change, we've got a big development coming on out west of town called City View, which is another hospital related project. And so yeah, there will always be change. And we just hope that it happens at a pace that we can react to it. And in general, I think that, you know, the the population increase of the spoke of a moment ago, about 1000 people a year, that's something that we can handle, you know, the school corporation can respond to that, the hospital can respond to that, our police and fire can can manage, you know, that kind of an increase. Those communities that grow, and I've seen a few that grow 10 to 20% a year, it really stresses the institutions that are required to support the various services that a community offers. So we've not had to deal with that. But, I feel good about Columbus as prospects, I think that we're well positioned economically. And we'll continue to be an attractive place for people to move to. And I like to say, I feel pretty good about that.
Speaker 1
Thank you so much for doing this. All the years. I know, mayors don't have to do this show. But we do really appreciate the time that you spent.
Speaker 2
You're welcome. It's hard to believe it's been eight years. I mean, it's gone by very quickly. I've joked that if I could get a one year extension on my contract, you know, I might have done that. But four years was just a little bit more than Pam and I had available for this. But Joe, I've enjoyed it as well. Thanks for coming by.
