Columbus Circle re-opens after renovation

After more than two years of renovations, Columbus Circle re-opened Monday. The $21.3 million renovation was funded mostly by the city as well as by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Related Companies and Apollo Real Estate. Columbus Circle is now laid out in a series of concentric rings consisting of a broad, gently raised area of plantings and a ring of fountains in its interior. The pedestrian Plaza surrounds the statue of Christopher Columbus, and the new fountains include 99 fountain heads and nearly 300 lights.