Major Projects Help Shape the Future of Columbus, GA
Columbus is in the midst of a transformative period, with a series of major construction projects shaping the city and driving both economic and community progress. Here are some highlights:
In This Article
Mixed-Use Spaces
Union Station
Originally opened in 1901 as a bustling railroad hub, the historic Union Station on Sixth Avenue in Uptown Columbus has found new life. Union Station now offers 14 one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom unit, along with 16 office suites that became available for lease in 2025. In addition, Union Station has an event space that can accommodate up to 127 people.
Midland Commons
This 88-acre development for retail tenants and residential properties in northeast Columbus is anchored by a Publix grocery store. The area is home to a diverse mix of more than 20 other businesses. Well-known names like Advance Auto Parts, Arby’s, Culver’s, Dunkin’, and Great Clips are already established, and they’ve recently been joined by newcomers Panda Express and Panera Bread.
Outdoor & Recreation
Synovus Park
A $50 million upgrade to Synovus Park took place in 2024 and early 2025 to prepare the historic baseball stadium as home field for the Columbus Clingstones, the Double A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Synovus Park was originally Golden Park when the stadium first opened in 1926 along the banks of the Chattahoochee River.
City Pools
Locals can enjoy a refreshed and expanded lineup of aquatic activities. After being closed for several years, the Psalmond Road, Rigdon Park and Shirley Winston pools have reopened. Along with these newly reopened pools, residents still have access to the Columbus Aquatic Center and the Double Churches Pool. Plus, five convenient splash pads are available throughout the community.
Pickleball Courts
The Courtyard, a new pickleball facility slated for Uptown Columbus, is boosting the sport’s presence with 28 new courts. The facility includes 16 covered courts, six outdoor courts, four under the Second Avenue bridge, and two are championship courts.
City Services
Judicial Center
A $200 million Columbus Judicial Center broke ground in early 2024 and has an estimated completion date of late 2026. The eight-story facility will feature space for juvenile, municipal, probate, state and superior courts along with chambers for judges and clerks, and there will be more than 500 parking spaces. The building is along 10th Street between First and Second avenues.
Emergency Operations Center
The city has completed improvements to its Emergency Operations Center, which allows for better communication technology during times of emergency. The recent upgrades in equipment allow police, fire, EMTs and other vital agencies to interconnect with each other during weather emergencies, fires, man-made challenges and all other types of serious predicaments.
Art & History
Columbus Museum
After a $25 million renovation, the Columbus Museum is now a stunning showplace for its exhibits on American art and the history of the Chattahoochee Valley. Known as COMU to locals, the museum is open six days a week and admission is free.
ThePATIO
A former downtown parking lot at Second Avenue and 10th Street is now a new outdoor theater known as ThePATIO, located at the Springer Opera House. Columbus residents Paul Pierce and the late Ron Anderson were key supporters of Springer Opera House, so PATIO stands for Pierce Anderson Theatre in the Outdoors.
Heritage Park and the Chattahoochee Promenade
Historic Columbus is transforming Heritage Park and the nearby Chattahoochee Promenade in a $5 million revitalization project. Five endangered historic homes are being moved to Heritage Park for full renovation and then residential sale. Plans for Chattahoochee Promenade include a history trail telling the Columbus community story – from Native American roots to Civil Rights to Uptown’s evolution.
Transportation Projects
Dragonfly Trails
More than 500,000 trail users each year utilize the Dragonfly Trails that provide Columbus with off-road greenways. Today, 34 miles of trails exist, and the goal is for the city to ultimately have a 65-mile system of 15 small trails connected to one another. Current trails include RiverWalk, Fall Line Trace, MLK Trail, Follow Me Trail and 10th Street Connector, with two new sections – Dinglewood Park Trail and River Road Connector – scheduled for construction in 2026.
Get to Know Columbus
Want to learn more about living and working in Columbus, GA? Check out the latest edition of Livability Greater Columbus, Georgia.