During this year’s Big Give, Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement District host to raise $7,500 to keep portable restrooms and handwashing stations deployed in downtown Columbus through November 2020.

Why?  Easy access to public restrooms has always been challenging for people experiencing homelessness in downtown. Due to Covid-19, access has now become virtually impossible because restrooms once available to the public are either closed or are restricted, making this population

Without sanitary facilities, people experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 and Hepatitis A. 

Solution: Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts have deployed 12 portable restrooms and 8 handwashing stations in high traffic areas around downtown…

The SIDs have engaged with CleanTurn to clean and sanitize the eleven portable toilets stationed downtown for people experiencing homelessness…

Marc Conte Named Acting Executive Director

Cleve Ricksecker, the founding executive director of both the Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts (SIDs), will retire on May 31, 2020.  Marc Conte who currently serves as Deputy Director of Research, Planning & Facilities will become Acting Executive Director on June 1.

“Cleve has been a tremendous leader who has done so much good for all of downtown Columbus,” said Matthew Miller, Chair of the Discovery SID board.  “His leadership has been crucial during the decades-long revitalization of downtown.”

“Cleve is a visionary leader who knows how to transform visions into reality,” said Kermit Whitfield, Chair of the Capital Crossroads SID.  “It is hard to overestimate his positive impact on Columbus during his long career of service.”

Cleve led the launch of the Capital Crossroads SID in 2000, a time when downtown had a fraction of its current residents and development and was marred by litter and graffiti…