Key Documents – Project Community Park Worthington

PCPW UMCH Proposal, August 2020 (PDF)

PCPW spent the better part of a year talking with the community, evaluating options, and assembling a proposed development approach for the UMCH property. The vision is for mixed use development, balancing approximately 10-12 acres of commercial build-out along High St.; 3-5 acres of residential – preferably focused on senior living – on Evening St. and Larrimer; while preserving the large contiguous green space in the middle of the parcel for the signature parkland which Worthington currently lacks. PCPW uses the term ‘Worthington Commons’ to describe what we firmly believe will become the central hub of the community. Options for funding the acquisition and development of this project are also evaluated with the conclusion that it can be accomplished – over the development lifespan – on a largely self-sustaining basis. This proposal was shared with the community and presented to city council in the Autumn of 2020.

LC Density Analysis 2.0 (PDF)

This PCPW analysis compares residential density (residents per acre) between Worthington today and the density within the proposed LC development. The analysis determines that residential density of the proposed site would be between 9 and 10 times that of Worthington today, around 36 residents per acre, within this development, versus 3.8 residents per acre in the city itself. PCPW supports increased density in Worthington, but concludes this is far beyond what is optimal, or even reasonable, for the city and its residents.

Central Ohio Signature Parks Comparison (PDF)

This PCPW analysis compares Worthington’s current park system, with that of its peer communities in the region. The analysis focuses on park acreage, park amenities, and the existence of a ‘signature’ park, defined as that one location where the community gathers for civic, cultural, and recreational events. The analysis illustrates that Worthington today, unlike it’s neighbors, does not have a signature park and trails these other communities both in terms of park acreage and park amenities. This analysis is presented to illustrate the need for a ‘Worthington Commons’ to help the city, and residents, enjoy the space and amenities equivalent to our neighbors.

Building Sites revision 7/31/23 (PDF)

This PCPW analysis identifies some ten building sites, all within the city of Worthington, that are currently available for residential development. It provides both location and acreage details for these sites as alternatives for the proposed high-density development on the UMCH site. Shifting residential development to one or more of these sites would effectively preserve the large contiguous greenspace, found only at the UMCH site, for development into the essential parkland that would anchor ‘Worthington Commons’.

Green Space and Mortality by Lancet Planet Health (PDF)

This study, by the prestigious Lancet medical journal, was commissioned by the World Health Organization and published in 2019. The analysis conclusively shows that there is a strong positive link between available green spaces in communities and public health. This Lancet article is based upon over 9,300 separate studies and concludes, “We found evidence of an inverse association between surrounding greeness and all-cause mortality. Intervention to increase and manage green spaces should therefore be considered as a strategic public health intervention.”

Ten Principles for Building Healthy Places by Urban Land Institute (PDF)

Completed by the Urban Land Institute, the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world, this 2013 focuses on the imperative actions that towns and cities can, and should, take to achieve healthy outcomes for residents. It is organized around ten key principles necessary to achieve this goal. We were struck by the high degree of alignment between these ULI principles and the PCPW vision for developing the UMCH parcel into what we term ‘Worthington Commons’. Given our city’s land-locked status, the development of the UMCH property, along the lines of a ‘Worthington Commons’, is likely our single opportunity as residents, to realize the positive, recreational, civic, and cultural outcomes this article prescribes for a healthful lifestyle.