The Confluence Cast

We are diving into the most read stories shaping the landscape of the city. These are the top stories that have captured the attention of our community—not necessarily the most important or significant, but the ones that people just couldn’t stop reading.

We’ll be counting down the top 15 stories from the past quarter, ranging from local business closures and new developments to the latest updates in the city’s infrastructure. Whether it’s a historic building being demolished, new restaurants opening up, or the ever-evolving skyline of downtown Columbus, we’ve got it all covered.

1. Roll Bikes Closing 
2. High Ramp Closure / Highway Work 
3. Easton & Polaris Properties Sold
4. Top 10 Brewery Patios
5. Giant Trolls Repost
6. Dispensaries Prep for Recreation Marijuana
7. 7 Big Projects
8. Local Cantina Short North Closes
9. Skinny Tower in Franklinton
10. Updated Downtown Tower
11. Film Production in Dublin
12. Capital Grille
13. Homefield Grandview
14. Bakery Building Demolished
15. Ohio Village Construction

Full transcript on page 2.

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Good comedy is a reflection of society. Next month, for five days, over 150 comedians will grace ten stages throughout the city for the inaugural Columbus Comedy Festival. On the occasion of the upcoming event, I sat down with Walker Evans, co-founder of Columbus Underground and the Comedy Festival, and Hannah Romes, co-owner of Hashtag Comedy. We discussed the impetus for and execution of the festival, the opportunities in the Columbus comedy scene, and their focus on increasing public awareness of the city’s abundant talent.

Shownotes

• Columbus Comedy Festival

Full transcript on page 2.

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Every piece is important. For Tom Krouse, the outgoing CEO of Donatos Pizza, this tagline is more than just a catchphrase. With his departure this fall, we sat down to discuss his journey at Donatos. We’ll explore the key strategies behind their expansion, including the decision to focus on franchising and the early adoption of online ordering technology. Tom also shares his thoughts on the importance of building the right team, having strong leadership processes, and how these factors were crucial to their success.

Shownotes

• Donatos
• Tom Krouse
• Smart Columbus
• Music Columbus
• GCAC

Shownotes on page 2.

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Passions can take you on different paths. That’s true for Carolyn Farkas who transformed her passion for teaching into a successful series on PBS. We sat down to discuss the future of education, the need for engaging and relevant learning experiences, and the importance of better communication and collaboration between parents, teachers, and the community as a whole.

Shownotes

• Doodles & Digits

Full transcript on page 2.

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Personal struggles can open our eyes to the needs of others. That is true for Tammy Adler Foeller, the co-founder of OpenDoor Women’s Recovery Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women transitioning out of incarceration or drug treatment. Tammy and I discuss her personal journey navigating her daughter’s battle with addiction, how it inspired her to help others, the organization’s volunteer-based support system, and where they are in their journey to grow capacity and combat stigma for those affected by the opioid epidemic.

Shownotes

• OpenDoor Women’s Recovery Alliance

Full transcript on page 2.

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Not all art is created for an audience. Sometimes, it’s made for the artist. That’s true for William Mount, the host and producer of the music podcast The Sounds of Bustown. Today, we’re unpacking a decade of stories, sounds, and the shifting sands of the Columbus music and podcast scenes. We’ll explore the challenges of keeping a podcast fresh and engaging through life’s ups and downs, the importance of authenticity, and how to keep the creative fires burning.

Shownotes

• The Sounds of Bustown on Spotify
• Sounds of Bustown + Drams and Jamz Live Podcast (6/21/24)

Full transcript on page 2.

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With spring upon us in the capital city, we’re all about change. There’s a vibrancy in the air and that’s apparent in our latest roundup of the biggest stories on Columbus Underground. Co-founder and editor Walker Evans sat down to discuss everything from Liz Lessner’s influential legacy to the latest murmurs about when we’ll get passenger rail. There are plenty of renderings to peruse, too.

Shownotes

• The “Liz Lessner” Restaurant Era Has Officially Come to An End
• Columbus Included in Two New Proposed Long-Distance Amtrak Routes
• Two-Mile Bike and Pedestrian Loop Planned for Downtown
• Heath Town Center Buildings Expected to Open in 2026
• 3 New Vendors Open at Bubbly Hall Amid Turnover, Lawsuit
• Unique Properties for Sale: The Cleveland & Second Building
• New Airport Terminal Renderings, Timeline Released
• Metro Center Metamorphosis: Dublin’s Answer to Changing Market Trends
• Symphony Outlines Plans for $275 Million Concert Hall
• Photos: New Metro Park Canopy Walk to Open This Spring

Full transcript on page 2.

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As Columbusites, we examine the evolution and identity of the city from a singular point of view. That’s not a bad thing, but an outsider’s perspective is always helpful. Today, we hear from Mark Snyder, a former Columbus resident whose journey through writing and theater has woven a rich tapestry of experiences both in and out of Ohio’s capital city. Mark reflects on the essence of Columbus — the kindness, scrappiness, and the collaborative spirit that defines its culture. He shares his journey of rediscovery in a city that continues to evolve and challenge its own identity.

Shownotes

• Two Dollar Radio
• Spoonful Records
• Available Light Theatre
• Otterbein University
• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Full transcript on page 2.

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The city’s transit system is going through a transformation. At least that’s the intention. On the occasion of an impending transfer of power and a sales tax issue on the ballot this fall to bulk up services, Columbus Underground reporter Brent Warren sat down with both the outgoing and incoming CEOs of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (or COTA) to discuss the shift in leadership, the transportation projects set to be on the ballot this fall, and what’s next for the former Greyhound station in Downtown.

Shownotes

• COTA
• COTA CEO Announces Plan to Leave Agency
• COTA Hires New CEO
• LinkUS
  

Full transcript on page 2.

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We’re exploring the evolution of Downtown with Michael Brown, who has been a cornerstone in the city’s development planning and worked both in and outside city government to cheer on its growth. Columbus Underground Co-Founder Walker Evans and Brown delve into the city’s challenges and triumphs, the synergy between projects, the balance between iconic and neighborhood-level public art investments, and the concerted efforts to address systemic issues like homelessness and affordable housing. Through anecdotes and insights, they highlight Columbus’ young, creative energy and the dynamic urban policies that continue to drive its growth.

Shownotes

• Original CU Profile

Full transcript on page 2.

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