Downtown canopy to see repairs after grant approval

A plan to update and repair the downtown Columbus canopy, InterOculus will move forward after the award of a matching grant for the project.

According to the Landmark Columbus Foundation, the state has approved a CreatINg Places Grant after a successful $50,000 fundraising campaign for the project.

InterOculus is the 40 foot tall illuminated canopy over the 4th and Washington Street intersection. It was installed as part of the 2023 Exhibit Columbus installations by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism. Originally meant to be a temporary installation, it has been adopted by the community as a public square.

The money raised and the matching grant will go toward a structural analysis, maintenance upgrades, repainting and protective coating and support for next year’s Rock the Block party.

Richard McCoy, executive director of the Landmark Columbus Foundation, described InterOculus as “a new icon in the center of our downtown that illustrates how much our community values shared public spaces that unite people.”

The CreatINg Places Grant comes through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. The CreatINg Places program began in 2016 and matches funds for projects submitted by non-profit groups and local governments up to a $50,000 state match.

InterOculus photo courtesy of Hadley Fruits via Landmark Columbus Foundation