March 9, 2004

Columbus State University officials made a presentation to the Columbus City Council Tuesday morning, outlining its proposal for how CSUs Uptown fine and performing arts campus would be built.

CSU is proposing that the university's teaching theatre be built on Bay Avenue between Dillingham Street and 10th Street. The theatre would be built into the old Pillowtex warehouse, which will be converted into studio and classroom space for the art department.

Its going to a spectacular, world-class facility, not only in appearance but also in function, Brown said.

An earlier idea for the theatre was to construct the building in such a way that part of it would infringe upon what is currently greenspace between the river and Bay Avenue. CSU President Frank Brown said the decision to modify the plans came after conversations with many community people and friends of the university who had concerns about greenspace and the development of CSUs uptown campus.

In his presentation to the city, Brown said the university would like to have the greenspace between the new theatre and the river be developed into a park, open to public access, and restricted from any future development.

City Council should act on the university's request later this month.