1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 Downtown Columbus is being reshaped daily, thanks in part to the vision of developers like Jim Merkel, CEO and Co-Founder of Rockbridge, and the Founder of Makeready, Merkel is spearheading the creation of a new 197-room hotel, The Junto, located just west of COSI, which opened Memorial Day weekend. The new project is more than just another new downtown hotel: it’s intended to be a focal point for the burgeoning Penins ula neighborhood, with an 8th-floor bar overlooking the City’s spectacular Dorrian Green park, a restaurant designed to lure local residents, and even a walk-up poutine window for passers-by craving a snack. This 1:1 conversation with downtown visionary Jim Merkel explores the critical role of placemaking as downtown Columbus reinvents itself. The speaker is: Jim Merkel, CEO and Co-Founder, Rockbridge, and Founder, Makeready The host is Eleanor Kennedy, Assistant Managing Editor,&amp;nbsp;Columbus Business First. CMC’s “Developing a Dynamic Downtown” series of forums is presented by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and Capitol South. The series sponsor is Thompson Hine. This forum was sponsored by Schneider Downs, Fahlgren Mortine, and REALM. The livestream was presented by The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation and The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by the Grange Insurance Audubon Center. This forum was recorded before a live audience in Columbus, Ohio on June 14, 2023. The Columbus Metropolitan Club http://columbusmetroclub.org <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/27120378/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/153872580