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To inspire an alternative mixed-use vision for the UMCH property, for the enjoyment and well-being of all, now and in perpetuity.

About the Project

Our Mission

In accord with our city’s long history, we advocate for bequeathing to future generations a valuable public asset at the UMCH property— a signature, multi-use community greenspace— for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

Our Vision

True to our city’s history, we advocate building a community-centered, mixed-use development at the singular and irreplaceable UMCH property:

  • Centered upon a vibrant public space with abundant amenities, worthy of our extraordinary city—a place full of celebration, conversation, and recreation, full of natural wonder, full of music, full of joy, full of life.
  • Enhanced and bounded by commerce and homes.
  • For the enjoyment and well-being of all, Worthingtonians and visitors from near and afar, now and in perpetuity.

Our Strategy

To realize our vision, PCPW will:

  • Consistently provide the public with the relevant facts of the matter—benefits and costs of different development outcomes, as well as legal, financial, and political considerations, and
  • Promote a holistic, long-term, community-focused, “highest and best use” alternative to the short-term, profit-driven corporate model of extracting maximum revenue from our community without concern for negative impacts on our schools, streets, human health, environmental sustainability, and city budget, and
  • Vigorously advocate for our community-centered vision, with confidence that our informed and engaged residents will defend their right to determine the future of our city and neighborhoods that we all call home. 

Our Guiding Principles

  • We recognize that the UMCH property is a uniquely important site—due to its location, size, and natural physical features—for the future of our city, and we have just one opportunity to get it right.
  • We believe that the developed site should reflect the broad-based interests and values of our community, particularly our city’s residents—those who have sunk roots, made their homes, and both know and express the character of our city.
  • We are committed to obtaining full disclosure of relevant information from all involved parties, in the service of informing a robust and reasoned public dialog about the future of this property and its impact on our community.
  • In accord with our community-centered vision, we propose, in general terms, and subject to much discussion and modification, a multi-use development featuring 1) a large, signature public greenspace with community-building amenities (a perimeter bike-pedestrian path, historically-inspired event facility, amphitheater, nature preserve, sport field, water-feature, community garden, etc., as distinct possibilities; ≈ 25-30 acres), 2) complementary commercial space and service-oriented retail along the High Street frontage (≈ 6-10 acres), and 3) low to mid-density, architecturally compatible residential housing, focused ideally on senior-friendly forms of housing, affordable in nature, immediately adjacent to Longfellow Avenue (≈ 2-5 acres).
  • We urge our city government, or local investors committed to our core vision, to embrace this once-in-history opportunity by acquiring the property, in transparent and fair negotiations with the owners, based on fair market value based on existing zoning, in order to gain full creative control of this public-private project for the benefit of our city and its residents for generations to come.