'Visit Columbus' brings new life to downtown windows

COLUMBUS, Ind. - When fire damage left the former Chamber building in downtown Columbus on Fifth Street vacant and its windows bare, Visit Columbus saw not an eyesore, but a canvas.

This spring, Visit Columbus is installing dynamic vinyl window coverings on the building that sits directly across from the Visitors Center on Franklin Street, building on the creative energy already set in motion during the 2025 Exhibit Columbus installation Ellipsis on the building's west side.

"This is what it looks like when a community leans into its own story," said Misty Weisensteiner, CDME, Executive Director of Visit Columbus. "This felt like a natural next step, a chance to take something unfinished and turn it into something meaningful for everyone who walks, drives, or arrives here."

Facing Fifth Street, Columbus's celebrated Avenue of Architects, the installation features photography by Hadley Fruits for Landmark Columbus Foundation. A QR code invites passersby to explore the full story of Fifth Street on the Visit Columbus website.

On the Franklin Street side, the installation spotlights unique and surprising facts about Bartholomew County, and includes a QR code that links to the community's official calendar of events.

This project is an outcome of Visit Columbus's Destination Master Plan and aligns directly with the City’s Downtown 2030 vision for enhancing the Avenue of Architects. The installation is expected to be complete the week of May 4.

To learn more about Columbus's architectural legacy and upcoming events, visit www.comeseecolumbus.com or follow @visitcolumbus on social media.