Large civic buildings were planned and built: Columbus City Hall, the Ohio Judicial Center, and the Joseph P. Kinneary U.S.

[3] The first phase reduced Civic Center Drive from five to three lanes, allowing the installation of colonnades, fountains, gardens and pavilions.

In 2013 the dam and surrounding sediment were removed, narrowing the river to 300 feet (91 m) and giving the city access to 33 acres (13 ha) of previously submerged shoreline.

[3] From late 2018 to 2019, Smart Columbus operated a pilot program of electric driverless shuttles in a loop around the Scioto Mile.

[6][7][8][9] The riverbank features a riparian zone, a natural line of plants that keeps soil from eroding into the water.