District-drawing process to conclude by end of 2021, with additional maps to come
On September 1, 2021, the Council Residential Districting Commission (CRDC) will release the first draft of a district map for Columbus City Council districts.
Note: This first map uses 2010 Census data; later maps will use the 2020 census. A first draft map was required by the statute to be presented by September 1st. View the map and make comments at https://columbus.maps.arcgis.com/apps/CrowdsourceReporter/index.html?appid=12d3163cd9e94b5e8e799c29ff2e7af2 on the draft map.
Thus far, the CRDC has held a series of eight public outreach meetings, six public working sessions and conducted an online survey that garnered thousands of results. All of the feedback gathered at these meetings and the survey helped to inform the map-drawing process. Additionally, the US Census Bureau released 2020 Census data on August 12, 2021, which is an essential guide to forming the future of the City. The new 2020 Census data will be incorporated in the second draft of the district maps.
The CRDC will continue public working sessions from City Council Chambers in City Hall on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-8:30p, beginning on September 8, and running tentatively through November 10, 2021.
“We are so excited to share our work with the public,” said Commission Chair Malik Moore. “I am grateful to have done a small part of the work with an amazing team of people. I will feel blessed to witness the work we started continue to grow and I believe one day we will see every voice lifted up. In a City as diverse as Columbus, the sky is the limit.”
“After hearing from residents in every corner of the City, as well as reviewing the survey results that more than 2,000 residents filled out, I am excited to put out our first map for public feedback,” said Commission member Monica Cerrezuela. “These initial comments from the public will be instrumental in helping us create additional maps as we dive into the 2020 Census data and how we account for the Columbus’ 15% increase in population over the last decade.”
“This process has been open and transparent, but the work isn’t done,” said Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy. “I’m eager to advocate that residents across Columbus participate and engage with this exciting process as we move along. The Commission will solicit more feedback before they release additional maps, with the future of our City determined in these maps.”
Residents are encouraged to follow Council’s social media channels and further emails for information on future meetings and map releases as they take place. The main places to watch will be on Facebook Live or on the City of Columbus’ YouTube channel, where you can watch all past public meetings.
Council will approve one of three maps produced by the CRDC by the end of 2021, and the districts will be in place for the 2023 Council election.
For more information, visit www.columbus.gov/districtingcommission/ or email crdc@columbusgov.
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