Designing Local

09/02/2026

We left our hearts in August… ❤️ And now there’s a new heart in The Heart of it All!

Meet “Heartscape,” a stunning new permanent public art installation at Columbus Commons, created by Ohio-native artist Mark Reigelman II and commissioned by Downtown Columbus, Inc., with facilitation from Designing Local.

Inspired by the heart-shaped leaves of Ohio’s Eastern Redbud tree, the steel sculpture features a pattern drawn from the geometry of downtown Columbus’ street grid—beautifully celebrating the connection between nature and city life.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this incredible, original sculpture to life. We’re so excited to see this new piece become part of the heart of Columbus!

Mark Reigelman II: Artist
Designing Local: Landscape Architecture, Project Management & Site Coordination
Wolf Metals, Inc.: Artwork Fabrication and Installation
Buckner and Sons LLC: Site Preparations
LDF Outdoor Lighting: Artwork Lighting

📷 Abby Kamagate

08/31/2026

We’re delighted to share that the artists selected to create artwork for the north connector of the Brickline Greenway in St. Louis kicked off the project at last week’s Brickline Greenway Art Party!

The excitement is building as this incredible initiative continues to take shape.

The celebration honored the selected artists and highlighted the public art planned for the Brickline Greenway that Designing Local is curating along North Grand, Cass, and Spring Avenues.

We can’t wait to share more with you as we curate and help to bring this vibrant collection of artwork to life along the north connector. Stay tuned!

08/27/2026

We're excited to share construction progress on three of the many community projects we're honored to support across Ohio!

City of New Philadelphia — Our renderings for the Downtown square improvements are coming to life! Work started in the Fall 2025 on the project funded by a $2.9-million state grant and is slated for completion by October. Our design will help to transform the historic downtown into a walkable, vibrant community hub.

Village of Caldwell — After completing the Downtown Revitalization Plan in Spring 2022, the Village quickly implemented its new brand identity and pursued funding opportunities to bring key recommendations to life. Today, those plans are becoming reality through ongoing downtown improvements.

Village of Racine — Riverfront Revitalization is officially underway! This transformational project will reconnect the community to the Ohio River with new walking paths, two recreational boat docks, a community amphitheater, and enhanced public gathering spaces. Streetscape improvements along 3rd and Pearl Streets will also support revitalization of the business district through a pavilion for farmers markets, live music, and community events.

We're grateful to partner with communities that are investing in their future and creating places where residents and visitors can connect, gather, and thrive.

08/26/2026

We’re excited to celebrate the completion of Central Ohio’s first-ever Regional Trail Guide!

The front of this guide features a map of all Central Ohio Greenways trails within the 15-county MORPC (Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission) region, while the back features 9 curated routes — with maps and narrative descriptions of how to approach each ride experience — to support people in exploring the trail network. It is meant to complement MORPC’s newly updated Columbus Metro Bike Map and, by showcasing how nearly 400 miles of trails connect to one another and countless unique destinations, give people a sense of the full scope of possible trail travel within the region.

Columbus-area residents can check their local community center or bike shop for print versions of both maps; soon they will also be available in digital format. Designing Local encourages everyone to ride the guide’s curated routes and let us know which one you like best!

08/25/2026

08/19/2026

RFP Submission deadline extended to September 11, 2026!

The Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens (the “Friends”) is seeking two existing sculptures for installation at the Port St Lucie Botanical Gardens on a temporary basis for a period of eighteen (18) months.

To learn more, please follow the URL below:

https://www.designinglocal.com/artist-calls/psl-botanical-garden-2026

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

Something remarkable has landed at Richmond International Airport!

Our Public Art Manager, Anna Luxford, was honored to attend the ribbon cutting for the unveiling of TRAVEL COMPANIONS, a stunning 24-foot public art installation by artist Matthew Mazzotta.

We’re incredibly proud to have facilitated the placement of this remarkable piece, which was recommended through our Richmond International Airport Public Art Plan. Nearly two years in the making, TRAVEL COMPANIONS now serves as the centerpiece of the Airport’s newly renovated Center Core Plaza—and marks the Airport’s first public art installation.

Inspired by Virginia’s rich ecological and cultural landscape, the sculpture celebrates nature, diversity, and our shared journeys. At its heart is the native flowering dogwood, Virginia’s official state flower and tree — a fitting symbol for an international gateway that welcomes travelers from around the world. Surrounding it are hummingbirds, whose incredible migrations between Mexico and Canada echo the journeys of the people passing through the Airport every day.

Together, the flora and fauna offer a poignant reminder that, despite where our journeys begin or end, we all share the same world. We’re thrilled to see this vision come to life and to celebrate the power of public art to connect people, place, nature, and culture.

To learn more about this Public Art installation, please follow the URL below:

https://flyrichmond.com/travel-companions-fly-into-richmond-international-airport/

If you are interested in learning more about our Richmond Airport Public Art Plan, please follow this URL:

https://www.designinglocal.com/work-portfolio/richmondinternationalairportpublicartplan

08/07/2026

We are pleased to announce that Meredith Reed, Senior Urban Planner, has earned her AICP Certification! AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) is the only nationwide, independent verification of planners’ qualifications. By achieving the credential, Meredith has demonstrated her deep experience and planning knowledge, as well as her commitment to ethical conduct. Congratulations to Meredith!

To learn more about what AICP means for Designing Local and the communities we serve, planning.org/AICP/value.