LinkUS, OH
Communications, Outreach, and Engagement

Four leadership entities—Central Ohio Transit Authority, the City of Columbus, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, and Franklin County—are working in collaboration with many others to bring world-class mobility options to central Ohio. This initiative is known as LinkUS. And it’s critical not just to plan for the proposed rapid transit solutions, but to make sure the public understands them, values them, and has a say in how they take shape. Planning NEXT, along with our colleagues at The Saunders PR Group and Engage Public Affairs, are providing leadership on communication, outreach, and engagement.

Accessible, attractive presentation

Planning NEXT has worked with our collaborators to take complex technical information and make it easy to digest and visually appealing. This included design of a multifaceted LinkUScolumbus.com website, which includes content for the public that is interactive, appealing, and content-rich, conveying a truly special opportunity to re-imagine the future. Over time, the team has integrated interactive features, text, surveys, videos, maps, and more. Since the site’s launch, there have been over 30,000 unique visitors and 64,600 page views.

Storytelling for impact

Through presentations, collateral, display materials, virtual workshop activities, and more, the team has found ways of answering the question “What’s in it for me?” Sometimes, this is through integrating personal stories, sometimes it’s through careful editing of video imagery showing what is possible, and sometimes it’s as simple as a captivating phrase on a compelling backdrop in a presentation. Combined, the impact has been to change perspectives, open minds, and generate excitement about what is possible.

Nimble approach to engagement

Planning NEXT has worked closely with partners to help design a process for public involvement that is equitable, authentic, and responsive to dynamic conditions, including the impacts of COVID-19 and the current racial justice movement. This has included designing and advising on engagement that integrates virtual options and innovative opportunities for the public to get involved—and stay involved.

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Tags

Project Type: comprehensive plan
Community Type: county
Services: comprehensive planning, community engagement