Local street among nation's best

SANDUSKY — Just after its massive makeover, a national publication ranked Columbus Avenue in Sandusky as one of America's top main streets for wellness walks. Columbus Avenue earned the No. 95 spot on a comprehensive list compiled by Assisted Living Magazine, which describes itself as a "senior living concierge." The list, based on a survey of more than 3,000 Americans, highlights the most walkable and wellness-friendly main streets in the country. Columbus Avenue joins Xenia Avenue in Yellow Springs, No. 56 overall, as the only two Ohio streets to make the top 100. "Too often, wellness gets boxed into gyms and gadgets," the magazine's CEO, Jeremy Clerc, said. "But the simple act of walking — especially in places that are beautiful, social and full of charm — can be just powerful. These main streets remind us that movement can be both joyful and effortless when the environment invites you in." Columbus Avenue's recognition comes just weeks after the city celebrated the completion of a transformative, multimillion-dollar streetscape project that has reimagined the heart of downtown Sandusky. Its new look is the result of a $4.8 million infrastructure project that was years in the making. The project, which broke ground last fall and finished in June, included: • Replacing a 100-year-old brick roadway and an 85-year-old water line • Widening sidewalks and creating 20-foot pedestrian zones on both sides • Adding outdoor dining and retail space • Installing decorative lighting, canopy trees and safety features for accessibility • Maintaining 132 free on-street parking spaces, with additional parking nearby Assisted Living Magazine had this to say about Columbus Avenue: Just a few blocks from the lakefront, Columbus Avenue has that breezy, light-on-your-feet feeling built in. With historic facades on one side and glimpses of open sky on the other, it's a walk that feels fresh without trying too hard. You'll hear the lake before you see it — maybe catch the call of gulls or the whisper of wind through the trees — and by the time you've reached the water's edge, your pulse has slowed and your shoulders have dropped. It's a reminder that wellness doesn't always require a gym — sometimes, all it takes is a stroll in the right place."