WalkerEvans

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/third-times-the-charm-for-gay-st-coffee-shop <b>Third Time’s The Charm for Gay St. Coffee Shop?</b> By Walker | September 2, 2009 8:15am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/rendezvous.jpg"> The retail space in the Carlyle’s Watch Building has had a lot of quick turnover during it’s very short lifespan. It opened in November 2007 as Cornerstone Coffee and lasted just over a year. It reopened as Coffee and More this spring, but only lasted a few months. Now, the space is back as the Rendezvous Cafe. The offerings look to be about the same as the past two iterations. A variety of coffee and expresso drinks, some other cold beverages, and a few small food/snack items. Their posted hours are 7am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday, and 8:30am to 3:00pm on Saturday. Has anyone stopped in yet to give it a shot?

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/baja-sol-launches-baja-joes-concept-in-columbus <b>Baja Sol Launches Baja Joe’s Concept in Columbus</b> By Walker | September 1, 2009 11:00am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/baja-joes.jpg"> Last summer, Baja Sol set up shop in Columbus with three locations, two of which took over former Don Pablo’s restaurant spaces. On September 7th, the Minneapolis-based company will use Columbus as the launching ground of a new concept restaurant called Baja Joe’s, which will serve a mix of Mexican and American cuisine in the form of “Burgers, Tacos & Beer”. The new concept will also be located in a former Don Pablo’s space at 1200 Noe-Bixby Road near the intersection of East Main Street and 270 between Whitehall and Reynoldsburg. More information can be found at Baja-Joes.com.

<b>Brēzel Pretzels - Rolled Up Goodness</b> By Anne | August 31, 2009 9:45am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/brezel.jpg"> When Brittany Baum and Maria Gentile met, they were working in the communications world together. After a few years, they became great friends and discovered they shared a passion for cooking and a love of pretzels. Brittany has been to Germany a few times and “fell in love with Bavarian pretzels.” The two decided to start perfecting recipes and selling them and brēzel Pretzels was born. Brēzel is an old German word for pretzel. They picked a unique name for their company because they wanted people to know that they are different. Brēzel pretzels are made in the Bavarian style which means “they are bigger and more bread-like than a stadium soft pretzel.” Eventually they would like to open up a shop in Columbus to make and sell their pretzels. But for now, you can order them online, and also find them at a few local farmers’ markets. Rad Dog is also selling a “pretzel bun” they have created. They say that the farmers’ markets have been a wonderful experience, leading to sold out booths every time! They will be at the Clintonville Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings this October if you’d like to go try one. Read More: http://www.columbusunderground.com/brezel-pretzels-rolled-up-goodness

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/ohio-art-league-moving-gallery-out-of-short-north <b>Ohio Art League Moving to South Campus Gateway</b> By Walker | September 2, 2009 10:45pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/oal.jpg"> It was reported yesterday that the Ohio Art League gallery in the Short North had some suspicious “for lease” signs in their windows, and speculation quickly led some to believe that the organization as a whole would be closing. Thankfully, that is not the case. A note was sent out tonight to OAL members from OAL Board President Haley Boehning stating that while the economic downturn has shrunk the organization’s budget, they were in no danger of dissolving. They are discontinuing their lease at their gallery space at 954 N. High Street, but are pursuing a new opportunity in a new venue. “While final negotiations are still underway, I will tell you I am very excited about this new strategic partnership,” said Boehning in the release. “It is a unique opportunity to operate a larger gallery space in a synergistic environment with many new opportunities for additional, enhanced programming for our members and our community.” Update (9/4/2009): The new 1,500 square foot gallery space will be located in the main alley of the South Campus Gateway near OSU. It was also noted that aside from the September MCE, all scheduled events through the remainder of 2009 will continue as planned in the new space. More information can be found online at www.OAL.org.

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/swensons-eventually-coming-to-columbus <b>Swensons Eventually Coming to Columbus</b> By Walker | August 30, 2009 12:15pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/swensons.png"> The popular Akron-based burger drive-in Swensons is turning 75 this year, and the Akron Beacon Journal has posted up a great look at the past, present, and future of their business. There are currently seven Swensons locations, all in North Eastern Ohio with an eighth planned for Fort Wayne, Indiana. The article does include one great nugget of information for Central Ohioans though: <i>Owner Steve Thompson expects to open a Swensons in Columbus at some point, which he will own. ”I have to. It’s the only growing city in Ohio,” he said.</i> So there you go. No date… no location… but an eye on Columbus for expansion.

Nice photos! :D

There is some cool additional insight straight from David Whitaker (Vice President, Business Development, Columbus Regional Airport Authority) on ColumbusUnderground here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/port-columbus-wants-international-flights/comment-page-1#comment-90121

Lance is twittering about being in Columbus. Here: http://twitter.com/lancearmstrong

The annexation had little to do with the total amount of regional growth... it was just a changing of boundary lines to keep that growth technically within Columbus. The highways would still be used just as much today whether or not the regional growth was inside the city limits or not. Of course, I do agree that rail transit would ease highway traffic congestion though.

Heh... I dunno if they make it bigger. She found it on the clearance rack at Target in the kids section. ;)

I think the reason for not re-opening Town Street might have to do with the fact that they just converted the two blocks of west of High into a narrow pedestrian-friendly slow-moving cobblestone neighborhood street: <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-1.jpg"> There's no way it could handle the extra traffic that would be generated from opening it up to the east of the City Center site and west with the bridge to Franklinton. I like it how it is now. It's quickly turned into one of the most beautiful streets Downtown. And once there are 300+ new residents living in the new apartments and condos there it will look even better with folks out walking their dogs and jogging around the block there.

From here: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/08/25/rest_0825.ART_ART_08-25-09_A8_PKES52J.html?sid=101 <b>Burgers, Dogs & Fries</b> On Restaurants Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:03 AM By Bill Chronister THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Kevin and Lori Ames, owners of Lola's Cafe and Cinco, on opposite corners at Broad and High streets, are adding to their heart-of-town empire with Burgers, Dogs & Fries. It's scheduled to open in September at 20 N. High St., in the space formerly filled by the Original Soupman.

A shirt that my wife bought for our son (although he's not big enough to wear it yet): <img src="http://www.handcrafteddelights.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/eastsidefries.jpg"> :D

The site of The Jackson has been an empty grass lot next to Skully's for as long as I can remember. Not sure what was there before it. The check cashing place that I think you're referring to is still standing and in business. :P

Yeah, that was confusing to me as well. Even with the attached garages, there's not a whole lot suburban about them. Seems more of a marketing gimmick to attract suburban dwellers to consider living here. Which isn't a bad thing at all. ;)

Here's a construction photo from the Fourth Street garage near Neighborhood Launch. It's going to be four-levels with 682-spaces when complete. Here's what it looks like right now: <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/garage-1.jpg">

Looks like some new fencing is up around the site of the Whitney Condos and there's a bit of dirt being moved around. Glad to see that work is being started over here! <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/whitney-1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/whitney-2.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/whitney-3.jpg"> Bonus photos of two properties across the street that are both boarded up and look like they have a lot of potential. Perhaps could also be redeveloped as affordable housing? The one on the corner of St. Clair & Mt. Vernon is for sale (Keller Williams) but I can't any details online about it. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/whitney-4.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/whitney-5.jpg">

Here's a few more of the Town Street Bridge. The bridge is completely gone now, and the second photo is of the giant mountain of dirt & rubble that has been piled up on the west bank next to COSI. Looks like Columbus finally has that mountain that some people have always wanted. ;) <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/town-bridge-2.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/town-bridge-1.jpg">

Some construction photos taken today of the new Main Street Bridge: <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/main-bridge-1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/main-bridge-2.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/main-bridge-3.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/main-bridge-4.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/main-bridge-5.jpg">

Couple more photos from me today. ;) <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/riverfront-1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/riverfront-2.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/riverfront-3.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/riverfront-4.jpg">

Here's a construction photo from earlier today. Taken from across the street at the Goody Boy: <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/jackson-1.jpg">

Photo of the construction site for anyone who hasn't been over to check it out yet. Not a whole lot to look at over there yet. ;) <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/buckingham-1.jpg">

Looking forward to the B&T Metals project moving forward. Every time I drive by this building looks worse and worse. ;) <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/bt-metals-1.jpg">

Some progress photos from The Annex at RiverSouth taken this evening (pardon some of the lighting in some of them... was starting to get dark)... <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-2.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-3.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-4.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-5.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-6.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-7.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-8.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-9.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-10.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-11.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-12.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-13.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/annex-14.jpg">

Most of the inner-city poor urban neighborhoods in Ohio cities were historically mixed-income areas with much higher populations 70 years ago. After decades of white flight, these areas were left with a fraction of the people living in them, and only those with low/lower incomes. The bad part of gentrification comes from the <i>displacement</i> of people. If the end goal is to simply restore these neighborhoods into the vibrant mixed neighborhoods they once were by brining the middle class and wealthy folks back to fill in the acres of abandoned housing and vacant lots, well then... I really don't see much of a problem with that.