WalkerEvans

Comin' along. Glad that the restaurant is being built there. Will add a whole new energy to the area in the evenings and weekends.

I believe the casino investors intentionally left the hotel out as a way to woo support from city/county government who are already set on building the Hilton. They didn't want the Casino Hotel to be seen as a competitor. I'm hearing rumblings from some grassroots folks who are looking to continue the oppositional fight against the Casino. Just because the amendments gives Penn the authority to build the casino in Columbus, it doesn't mean that they <b>have</b> to. Will post up more details when I hear more...

Was a very interesting meeting. Was anyone from UO in attendance last night? I've posted some of my own personal thoughts here: http://www.walkerevanseffect.com/blog/i-7071-split-fix-post-meeting-update/

Haven't been by lately, have you? <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cc-n2-2.jpg"> Anyway, the location was already decided by the casino developers before the vote was held. There's really no point to discussing other "what if" possibilities at this point.

Congrats on the Anniversary! :D

East Main Street History Lesson 101: <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/07/21/E.MAIN40th.ART_ART_07-21-09_A1_6EEHK55.html">Scars remain 40 years after Near East Side riot</a>

All of that was officially gone a long time ago.

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/rad-dog-grand-opening-at-hal-als-bar <b>Rad Dog! Grand Opening at Hal & Al’s Bar</b> By Kerry | October 29, 2009 5:00pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/rad-dog.jpg"> Just got an email saying that Rad Dog! will be holding their Grand Opening at Hal & Al’s Bar on Friday, November 6 at 4:00pm. From the email: Grand opening of Rad Dog inside the Hal & Al’s bar. Come and sample the expanded Rad Dog menu and help us launch the next chapter of Rad Dog as we begin this new season of serving our delicious wares to the patrons of Hal & Al’s bar.

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/buckeye-hall-of-fame-to-be-replaced-with-hotel <b>Buckeye Hall of Fame to be Replaced with Hotel</b> By Walker | October 27, 2009 11:30am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/buckeyelogo.gif"> The writing has been on the wall for the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe ever since they went into receivership back in March, but the future of the site may have been determined last night. City Council approved a 10-year tax break for a developer who is proposing to tear down the restaurant and build a six-story 134-room hotel in its place. The owners of the Hall of Fame have stated that they are looking for a new smaller space to relocate the restaurant to. Anyone have any ideas on where might be a good fit?

Students moved in back in Aug/Sept. I don't think the units look bad at all being lived in. I'll snap a photo next time I'm by.

There's no doubt that those three restaurants were impacted negatively by the economy, but I can't honestly say that I think all three of them would still be in business if our economic condition were better. There were quite a few other factors in play with those three as well.

That new chunk of land could be attractive for future development... as long as a Casino doesn't pop up across the street. ;)

I was down there for the ceremony. Thankfully it was kept short because it was so cold and windy outside. ;) Great building though. Lots of the historic nature of the building was preserved while still updated to be a little more energy efficient. The addition was constructed to match the design of the original building with a connector in-between that was a bit more modern. It's a really nice mix of old and new.

READ MORE: http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/10/24/wolfgang_close.ART_ART_10-24-09_A10_C4FF9EC.html?sid=101

They may not be discussing it <b>publicly</b> because these smaller "corridor" development announcements are generally a part of a public-private partnership, but that doesn't mean that city planners have no desire to replicate the success of Gay Street. I've spoken with quite a few folks who work for the city who would love nothing more to do more of this type of thing. Unfortunately, money doesn't grow on trees. Anyway, you really need to cut it out with this whole "you aren't saying anything about X so I'm assuming that you're completely against X" shtick. It's a really lame way to frame an argument, and nothing that you try to base on that type of platform holds any sort of value whatsoever. You might as well start yourself up on some sort of angst-filled tirade about how everyone who works for the city kicks puppies because they're not constantly holding public meetings about how much they love puppies.

Oh, wow. I guess the newest article I spotted when I wrote that was way out of date. I know it's been a long time coming. I've been hearing about "Riversouth" for like 10 years now, and it's only just now under construction! :O

Oh, interesting. I could have sworn that I read somewhere that Children's bought it from them. Maybe I'm just dreaming that. ;)

The northern most units on the east side side of Front Street are getting all bricked up on the outside and closer to completion. I can't say I'm a big fan of the way they've built the lower-level facade along the east side of Front Street. The half-underground garage is at street level at this side, and they way they've designed it looks as if there used to be windows there and they've been bricked up. Not that you can make a brick wall look too attractive, but this is one glaring mistake on this project that has otherwise grown on me quite a bit since it was first announced. Hopefully the addition of 250+ new residents in this area will help to add some pedestrian-activity vibrancy to make up for the "big brick wall" issue. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/lc-1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/lc-2.jpg">

Another photo update of the parking garage: <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/garage.jpg">

Another construction photo taken earlier today. Looks like the stairwell "towers" are almost finished and the rest of the building should start taking shape pretty soon: <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/buckingham.jpg">

I know that some of the original articles on this stated that it might be open "as early as 2009" but it's looking like they're probably running into the later date of "sometime in 2010". I haven't heard any official target opening dates, but it looks like it can't be that far away. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/courthouse.jpg">

Some equipment is now on site over there. Certainly was fast, eh? <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nri1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nri2.jpg">

Two photos taken earlier today to show some of the construction. The first one is from along Goodale looking NW at the project. The other photo is from the other side, sort of over behind Junctionview. Interesting perspective to show just how close this development really is to Downtown: <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/gy1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/gy2.jpg">

The new Children's Hospital building is getting taller every day. Going to look pretty impressive when it's all finished: <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/childrens1.jpg"> The Bobb Chevrolet located at the SW corner of Parsons & Livingston is completely gone, and it looks like they're building a CVS on part of the site. I'm guessing they're moving it across the street and out of the old Kroger complex (which is currently being used for hospital parking). At least this new CVS is up against the street (Livingston) and should be a bit more attractive. I haven't read what Childrens has planned for the rest of that SW corner lot. It's a pretty big chunk of land: <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/childrens2.jpg">

I'd be shocked if any of them stuck to that pledge. ;)