
The Scioto Mile
Location:
Columbus, Ohio
Architect:
MKSK
Construction Cost:
$44 million
Located in the heart of the city, the Scioto Mile is a green corridor that connects downtown Columbus, Ohio with the Scioto River. The Scioto Mile is a cornerstone revitalization project and will help attract and complement residential development, boost property values, and stimulate commercial growth. The Town Street Prow – designed to look very much like the prow on a ship - will serve as the end of the green gateway of the Scioto Mile, accented by gardens, decorative lighting and stone benches.
SMBH utilized post-tensioning cables in the design which were used to bolster the concrete sides of the forming landmass. The use of post-tensioning on the prow enabled the tying of two walls to each other instead of designing very large cantilevered retaining walls. Two additional buildings are part of the overall project – a glass-enclosed café restaurant (Milestone 229) with an outdoor terrace overlooking the park serves as an architectural icon along the Riverfront and a Pavilion. The café building includes a public restroom facility. The shape of the buildings, the roof spans and the desired aesthetic made post-tensioned concrete the best choice on these two buildings as well.
One predominate feature of the park is the stainless steel fountains. SMBH worked closely with the architect providing assistance in sizing the stainless steel fountain pipes through several design iterations, balancing the structural requirements with the many aesthetic aspects. SMBH also provided structural assistance on several of the site features including the concrete curbs, fountain basins, light pole foundations, concrete stairs, retaining walls, and fountain vaults.