After Leadership Columbus graduation in June 2003, the group members continued the work of forming a new organization. The DRAC made its debut at 2003 City Hop, the tour of downtown homes. That summer, the group also recruited board members, began establishing its non-profit status, and raised seed money from Capitol South, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation.
The first board meeting was held on July 21, 2003 and the first general membership meeting was held on September 17, 2003.
Excerpts from the original project proposal:
Columbus has a long history of strong, active neighborhood associations, such as those in German Village, Victorian Village, Italian Village, the Brewery District and others. The establishment of an association for downtown residents will provide the impetus for both existing and new residents to take advantage of their collective influence in determining what happens in their neighborhood. This will encourage a sense of community in the downtown, which currently consists of numerous different development and resident associations, segmented by relatively small boundaries. The Downtown Residents' Association of Columbus will encompass all of the downtown area. The boundaries of it are I-670 to the north, I-70 to the south, I-71 to the east and the Scioto River to the west.
Board members:
Angela Bosworth
Donna Carstens - Membership co-chair
Rich Close - Vice President & Membership co-chair
Marc Conte - Marketing chair
Diane Hunter
Mark Jones
Stephanie Mendes
Shyam Rajadhyaksha - Treasurer
Dennis Sanders
Shaun Walz - Secretary
Kevin Wood - President
Downtown Columbus Boundaries: