About the Competition

Parcels to Places is a pilot project, which will showcase creative ideas and strategies for transforming Columbus' vacant land into an asset that contributes to community needs. We invite individuals, teams, corporations or other entities to submit a proposal to transform lots owned and made available for purchase by the City of Columbus into a community asset. Entrants will compete for the opportunity to demonstrate their ideas and spur conversation on how vacant lots throughout the city can be transformed from empty, unproductive lots into active, vibrant places. Parcels to Places​ aims to raise awareness of the available inventory of properties managed by the Land Redevelopment Office Land Bank program and foster public dialogue around the issues including but not limited to: food systems, art, community space, economic development, education and storm water retention. By generating a collection of innovative and replicable ideas for the future of vacant lots, this competition hopes to spark increased demand for creative, smart, and sustainable uses of under-utilized land in Columbus neighborhoods.

Participant Eligibility

Entrants must:
  • Be 18 years or older,
  • Be able to sign a lease/purchase agreement,
  • Be able to obtain insurance,
  • Partner with a legally incorporated entity with the capacity to act as a fiscal agent (i.e. LLC, 501 c(3), etc.)
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Although individuals may apply, the competition sponsors encourage multidisciplinary teams in order to promote the most creative solutions to the multi-faceted issues of vacancy.

Competition Submission Instructions

Applications should include information about team, contact person, site selection, and a detailed summary of the project. Submissions must include a brief overview of the team qualification and implement plan. Projects may be temporary or permanent in nature. Teams may apply for grants up for $30,000 for vacant land improvements. Winning teams agree to use any award granted pursuant to the competition solely for the implementation of its final submission, and agree to use reasonable effort to implement and maintain project and allocate other resources as proposed. Please be aware that the Advisory Panel reserves the right to reward a lesser amount than requested.

Submissions must include (at minimum):
  • Up to three (3) photos of existing conditions
  • A preliminary drawing illustrating the layout of the proposal
  • Preliminary project implementation/maintenance plan
  • 2-year projected budget
  • Additional sketches, renderings, drawings, etc. as needed
  • Completed application
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Download the application form here.
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