Nestled between the cities of Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights, Ohio, the small Village of Marble Cliff (population approximately 600), has a rich and cherished history as one of the first suburbs of Columbus. Often cited as one of Central Ohio’s best places to live, it is a vibrant and attractive community with charming character and strong sense of civic pride.
But Marble Cliff’s Mayor and Village Council know that thriving communities require proactive stewardship. That’s why they hired planning NEXT to help them undertake a strategic plan to shape the Village’s future. Through a series of interviews and group work sessions with the Mayor and Council, our staff worked closely to identify Marble Cliff’s greatest strengths and challenges, to set goals, and to put forth recommended actions and implementation strategies. A wide range of needs and desires were addressed such as to improve the aesthetics and business mix along one of Marble Cliff’s major corridors, to enhance the external identity of the community to attract businesses and visitors, to better connect Village bike paths, and to get a better return on Village-owned properties. In the end, the strategic plan provided a clear direction for Marble Cliff’s elected officials as they seek to address some of the Village’s challenges and capitalize on its many assets.
