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Columbus skyline

Source: Jeremy Woodhouse / Getty

There are businesses, eateries and housing popping up all around downtown Columbus. Columbus is growing and I’m totally here for it. According to Fox 28, Downtown Columbus isn’t just for work anymore. The area is seeing a boom in restaurants and condo buildings popping up.

Mikey’s Late Night Slice just opened its first restaurant on 4th Avenue. Some people used to complain there wasn’t much to do after work, but now there are restaurants lining that street for several blocks.

“Downtown Columbus for whatever reason has been underdeveloped for a long time,” said Brad Hobbs, who recently opened The Walrus Kitchen and Public House on East Main Street. “We wanted to be a part of that revitalization. It’s a beautiful area with gorgeous views. There’s new businesses popping up all over. It’s a great time to be opening a business downtown.”

“It’s in a sense a Renaissance that’s happening,” said Megumi Robinson with Experience Columbus. “Whether it’s development for condos and living spaces and apartments to some of our natural green areas, the restaurants, the hotels, really experiencing a huge boom in development.”

A multi-million dollar renovation is the new focal point for the Columbus Museum of Art. The Scioto Greenway project has finally been completed. Robinson said there has been momentum building downtown for years.

“Columbus Commons opening up has been just a huge, incredible draw,” she said.

While downtown is still a place for work, some new business owners are trying to turn it into a place to have fun as well.

“The Short North is a great area,” Hobbs said. “There’s so many businesses there in such a compact area that I think Columbus is looking for another downtown location. Hopefully this helps to become that.”

Experience Columbus said having more downtown attractions is bringing in more tourism money. The group said there’s enough to see and do that people are extending their trips to Central Ohio.