Plus, Downtown Tavern and Creole 2 Geaux are open

New at the Zoo 🐘

The Columbus Zoo will undergo $50+ million in renovations

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All projects will be funded by federal and state grants, donations, and revenue. | Photo by @columbuszoo
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium + The Wilds will undergo $50+ million in project enhancements and renovations. Here are the planned transformations:

⛺ RV campground

The Wilds — the Zoo’s wildlife conservation center — will receive $7 million for a 59-acre RV campground site, which is expected to open in early 2024. The campground will feature the following:
  • 46 RV spots
  • 27 camping spots
  • Fishing and swimming
  • A playground
  • Biking trails
  • Hiking
  • A dog park
Pro tip: Scroll through this Instagram post from the Zoo for the RV campground map.

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Bonobos at the Columbus Zoo receive coconuts as a sweet treat. | Photo by @columbuszoo

🦅 North America region redevelopment

A total of $32.5 million will go towards transforming habitats of the following animals:
  • Mexican wolf
  • Bald eagle
  • Black bear
  • North American river otter
  • Trumpeter swan
Crews will break ground this fall on what is currently the oldest Zoo region.

🦍 Bonobos’ winter habitat

The Zoo will spend $4 million on updating the indoor space for the bonobos, which are endangered great apes. The monkeys live in family groups, and the updates will allow more spaces for them to play and grow together. Construction will start this spring.

💻 General updates

The remaining $8 million of the project will go towards general enhancements, such as bettering the animal well-being through habitat upgrades, improving Zoo security, and accessing new technology.

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, March 1
Thursday, March 2
  • Arnold Sports Festival | Thursday, March 2-Sunday, March 5 | Times vary | Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus | $20-$799 | Watch 10,000+ athletes from 80+ nations compete in a wide variety of sports and competitions.
Friday, March 3
  • Beetlejuice | Friday, March 10-Sunday, March 12 | Times vary | Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus | $39-$139 | Catch this comedic and musical show based on the hit fantasy movie.
Saturday, March 4
  • Columbus Crew vs. D.C. United | Saturday, March 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Lower.com Field, 96 Columbus Crew Way, Arena District | $24-$493 | Cheer on the Crew in the first home game of the 2023 season.
  • Public Roller Skate Night | Saturday, March 4 | 4-7 p.m. | United Skates of America, 3362 Refugee Rd., Columbus | $9-$14 | Skate around to popular music at this kid-friendly event + bring your own skates, or pick up a pair here.
Plan Ahead
  • Kelsea Ballerini | Wednesday, March 8 | 8 p.m. | Palace Theatre Columbus, 34 W. Broad St., Columbus | $39.50-$79.50 | See the Grammy-nominated country singer with hits like “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “Peter Pan.”
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS

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Weather
  • 68º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Concert
  • Another wave of performers have been announced for the Ohio State Fair. Catch Third Eye Blind on Friday, July 28, Yung Gravy on Sunday, July 30, Casting Crowns on Monday, July 31, and Lindsey Stirling on Saturday, Aug. 5. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 3. 🎶
Open
  • Downtown Tavern is officially open at 201 S. High St. after taking over Lola’s Kitchen & Bar. The restaurant will have a never-ending happy hour and customers who stop in today or tomorrow will receive a $10 gift card, which the owners assure, “goes a long way at Downtown Tavern.” 🍽️ (614now)
  • Creole 2 Geaux, an eatery that specializes in New Orleans cuisine, opened its second location at 401 N. Front St. downtown. With a larger kitchen outside of the East Market location, this spot will have an expanded menu with po’ boy sandwiches and etouffee. 🍲 (Columbus Business First)
Drink
  • Columbus City Council approved the expansion of DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), in the Arena District. In addition to standard home games at Huntington Park, Nationwide Arena, and Lower.com Field, DORA will now also be active for concerts, tournaments, and exhibition games happening at those arenas. 🍺 (NBC4)
Eat
  • We featured Bears Bagels in our local bagel shop story, and now, it will be vendors at North Market Bridge Park. Today is opening day in the market, and the shop will operate Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 🥯 (614now)
Sports
  • As the Columbus Crew celebrates their 28th MLS season, tickets will be on sale for $28 for three select gamesSaturday, March 25 vs. Atlanta United FC, Saturday, April 1 vs. Real Salt Lake, and Saturday, April 15 vs. New England Revolution. Grab tickets. ⚽
Number
  • $2 billion. That’s how much Nationwide Realty Investors have invested into growing the Arena District over the years, per Columbus Business First. From Nationwide Arena to apartments, retail, and office space, NRI has transformed the Arena District into 200 acres of mixed-use developments. And it’s still growing. 🏢 (Columbus Business First)
Asked
  • If you have kids (or grandchildren, nieces or nephews, etc.) what are your favorite things to do with them in Columbus? Let us know so we can share the kid-friendly activities in a story this week.
Community
  • The Columbus Metropolitan Library is turning 150 years old. To celebrate their sesquicentennial anniversary, they’re hosting free birthday parties across all locations on Saturday, March 4 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy activities, programs, refreshments, and a chance to win great prizes. 🎉*
Travel
  • What’s your vacation vibe — cozy, luxurious, or chic? For a cozy stay, look no further than this snug and cheerful getaway on beachy St. Simons Island, Georgia. For luxury, book this lush Hawaiian resort on the island of Kaua’i. And for the chicest of stays, peep this renovated house in downtown Charleston.*
Shop
  • What we’re eyeing: Zulily’s sneaker shop and some fresh kicks for spring. Shop street styles from Nike, versatile New Balance picks, or fashionable Tory Burch sneakers all on sale now. 👟*
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Pawsitive they’ll find a home 🐶

Franklin County Dog Shelter has 130+ dogs awaiting adoption

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Franklin County Dog Shelter is located at 4340 Tamarack Blvd. | Insagram screenshot of @franklincodog
With 130+ dogs currently awaiting adoption at the Franklin County Dog Shelter, there are plenty of options if you’re looking to rescue a pup.

You can view all dogs available on their website, or browse by categories like age, breed, and size. Shelter favorites are labeled and discounted for $18, while all others are for sale for $73-123. Here are some of the dogs that could be yours:

🐕 Shelter favorites | $18

  • Darla | Pit bull (mix) | Female | Senior
  • Manly | Mastiff (mix) | Male | Senior
  • Sherlock | Large mix breed | Male | Adult
  • Teddy Graham | Medium mix breed | Male | Adult

🐩 More adoptable pups | $123

  • Cowboy | German Shepard (mix) | Male | Young adult
  • Kirby | Labrador Retriever (mix) | Male | Puppy
  • Tahoe | Cane Corsoe (mix) | Male | Adult
  • Uno | Labrador (mix) | Female | Puppy
If interested, you can review adoption guidelines or look into fostering one of the adoptable dogs. And, don’t forget about other adoptable pets across the city.
THE WRAP
 

Today’s issue was written by Hanna.

Editor’s pick: Are there any local food bloggers you keep up with? There’s no doubt Columbus is a foodie city, and there are plenty of bloggers who share their dining experiences and recommendations. We’re looking to highlight some of them in March, so send your favorites our way.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Learn about the hot housing market in Columbus.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Mitch Hooper, Hanna Williford, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Ana Gibson | Advertise with us.

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