WalkerEvans

More at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/08/01/cotagreen.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101 <b>COTA seeks $5.7 million grant for 6 extra-long hybrid buses</b> Friday, August 1, 2008 BY TIM DOULIN THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Super-long, environmentally friendly buses powered by a combination of electricity and diesel are in the Central Ohio Transit Authority's future. COTA is seeking $5.7 million through a federal grant to purchase six articulated hybrid buses. Each bus is 62 feet long, bends in the middle and holds about 100 riders. It runs on electric batteries and switches over to a diesel engine.

I've got a pretty big group on Facebook supporting the Columbus Streetcar. ;) http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8974865836

Thanks for posting those! Oh, and one other update: I got an email from Zanzibar about the bar, and they said they were going to try to have it up and running before the end of the year and it would definitely have a "MoJoe Lounge" feel to the place. They'd have some live music on some nights as well. :D

Eddie George's Grill is doing some new things this summer. New menu items. Live music on the patio. New drink specials. :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xgIXYT__5E&hl

http://www.yelp.com/biz/johnny-oaks-po-boy-and-shrimp-shack-columbus I've never been, but heard good things. Anne & I actually just tried out Creole Kitchen over here in the KLD. Kind of a hole in the wall location, but we had AWESOME catfish po'boys (huge!) and homemade spicy kettle chips for only $6. :D http://www.creolekitchen.biz/

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=175783 <b>ZenCha Opening Downtown Location on Gay Street</b> <img src="http://zen-cha.com/Images/ZenCha-Logo12.gif"> <A href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=175">cab124</a> was the first I know of to catch wind of this. It appears to be far enough along to make it official. Apparently Tom Fortin of the Grandview Fortin Ironworks family and Carlyle's Watch is behind the new ventures in the Gay St. building: I walked by today and there were signs of work being done in that space. Does anyone know if ZenCha plans to create a copy of the Short North location or do something different with the new space? Gay St. is really being cemented as the core of the downtown redevelopment.

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=176032 <b>Pace-High Carryout to reopen Aug 2</b> <img src="http://walker.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/pacehi.jpg"> As a longtime fan of the two places to assemble my own microbrew six-packs in this town (Pace-High in Clintonville, Gentile's in Grandview), I bemoaned the second -- and apparently final -- shuttering of Pace-High several months ago. Sure, the old place was dingy, dim and remarkably devoid of amenities like A/C. But the thrill of the hunt, you know? The search for the perfect selection of imperial stouts on a January night, or wheat ales in early summer. Anyhow, I caught a story in one of the local weeklies more than a month back about how the owner of Super Food Mart across High had bought the place, remodeled and was awaiting final OK from city inspectors. Was supposed to open in early July originally. Tonight I stopped by Super Food Mart and asked the owner, a Mr. Patel, outright: So, waddup? Are you reopening the place? Will it have consistent inventory? (The old place was a little spotty in that regard in recent years.) Etc. And he took me across the street for a brief tour. The good news: Yes, you'll be able to assemble your own sixer from nearly 100 chilly microbrews. Yes, some knowledgeable staff are returning (a big differentiator in my book). But the other upsides: (1) Air conditioning. (2) Nice remodel with bigger coolers, better lighting, new floors, new ceilings. (3) Vastly improved security lighting in the parking lot out back. (4) Beefed-up selection of wines by region, including a number of organics you definitely can't find at Giant Eagle down the street. (This is Clintonville, after all.) (5) More consistent restocking. (6) Sundry munchies -- and we're talking a lot more than the old place's dubious jar o' jerky at the counter. So there ya have it. 3179 N. High, at -- as the name says -- Pace and High. New blood for an old standby. Better than another empty storefront, as popped up in the neighborhood after the aborted development project in the "Blighton Block."

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=177005 <b>Harrisons on Third coming soon to Harrison West</b> <a href="http://www.harrisonsonthird.com"><img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/harrisons.png"></a> There's something happening in my neighborhood in the old B Hamptons space. A huge banner hangs out front driving to the website <A href="http://www.harrisonsonthird.com">HarrisonsOnThird.com</a>. It's an interesting tactic--when you get to the site you sign up for updates and you can look through the gallery they've created during the remodeling. No surprise--it's another bar--two bars it sounds like. With an outdoor patio along the street. The logo looks very pub-ish. Anyone know anything more? I have to admit, I'm a little sad to see a bar go in...I'm hopeful it's a great restaurant too and not another Park St pick-up scene. A nice neighborhood scene filled with the great people who live around here. Well, if it's a great place to tie one on, at least I'll have a short walk home!

From here: http://walker.columbusunderground.com/?p=801 <b>Can I still be mad at Wendy's for a second?</b> Andrew Miller <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15726">posted some info</a> on Columbus Underground this morning about Wendy's giving away some free food downtown for lunch. That's all fine and dandy, but I'm still pretty mad that they closed all three of their downtown locations, finishing up with the <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7110">original location</a>. I ranted a bit about it <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11446">here</a> back in January. Anyway, since then, the parent company of Arby's <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13754">has bought out</a> Wendy's and has recently named J. David Karam as the <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9839&start=3">new president</a> of Wendy's. I don't know much about the guy aside from what I've read online, but it sounds like they couldn't have picked a better leader for the company. The guy obviously cares a lot about the brand, and is close to the Thomas family. I'm going to even go as far as saying that he could potentially be the guy to bring back the original downtown location. It was closed down about a year and a half ago due to poor sales outside of lunchtime, but with their other two downtown locations gone and a steady revitalization of downtown still progressing, I'm sure the location could be brought back as a money maker. For those who have never been, the original Wendy's location served as a fast food restaurant as well as a museum of sorts. The walls were covered with Wendy's memorabilia, and the <a href=" remained original to the 1960's era launch of the restaurant. It was always crowded during the lunchtime rush, and there was plenty of public outcry when it was announced as closing down. I think Dave Thomas even spun in his grave a bit. Anyway, in the meantime, here's where you can go get your free lunch today near the Statehouse. Just a few blocks west of the original Wendy's: <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2720066982_38bce003cd.jpg?v=0" />

From here: http://walker.columbusunderground.com/?p=779 <b>What can $10 at the North Market get you?</b> On Saturday, Anne & I dropped by the <a href="http://www.northmarket.com/">North Market</a> to pick up a few items. We got there around 3:30, and only one of the farmer's market vendors were still open outside. If you want the best selection you've got to get there between 8am and 10am. I was actually sort of surprised they were still there past noon. Anyway, we walked over to see what they were offering, and the guy at the booth quickly sold us on what he called "gourmet sized" eggplants and potatoes. He rambled off a few recipe ideas and described a candlelit dinner for us. How can you turn down a salesman like that? The best part was the fact that a pound of eggplants and a pound of potatoes only ran us $2.75. Quite the steal for fresh locally grown products. We wandered inside the market to pick up a few other things. I was in the mood for some <a href="http://www.northmarket.com/merchants/merchant_detail.php?m=Jeni%27s+Fresh+Ice+Creams">Jeni's</a> (single scoop of Backyard Mint that I shared with Desi) while Anne got a <a href="http://www.northmarket.com/merchants/merchant_detail.php?m=Bubbles+Tea+%26amp%3B+Juice+Company">Bubble Tea</a>. We also picked up two ready-to-eat BBQ chicken breasts from the <a href="http://www.northmarket.com/merchants/merchant_detail.php?m=North+Market+Poultry+and+Game">North Market Poultry & Game</a> counter. They were $8 together, which is more expensive than if we were to buy them uncooked, but neither of us were really in the mood for cooking chicken. The guy also threw in several mini wings and drumsticks too, which made for a nice pre-dinner snack. Lastly, we stopped by the <a href="http://www.northmarket.com/merchants/merchant_detail.php?m=The+Greener+Grocer">Greener Grocer</a> to pick up a few items. I grabbed some asparagus to make later this week and Anne got some locally grown cherries and a few other fruits. Later in the evening, we decided to grill the eggplant and boil the potatoes to go with the re-heated chicken. I always love looking at the great professional food photography at <a href="http://www.columbusfoodie.com/">ColumbusFoodie.com</a>, <a href="http://sopressata.blogspot.com/">Sopressata</a>, <a href="http://www.restaurantwidow.com/">RestaurantWidow.com</a>, and all of the other wonderful local food blogs, so I decided to take some photos of what we made to post here. The results were a bit lackluster since our dining room lighting isn't very bright, and our meal was actually somewhat colorless to begin with: <img src="http://walker.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/img_2316.JPG" alt="Dinner" /> I will say that it turned out great though. We only used some of the veggies, so all in all this locally-grown dinner prepared from North Market ingredients only ran us $10 total. The North Market is more commonly known as a high-end specialty grocer, but it's actually fairly easy to shop there cheaply too. <b>Bonus!</b> Anne decided to whip up a quick dessert of fresh local cherries from the market, Cool Whip, and a large chunk of Snickerdoodle from <a href="http://www.pattycakeveganbakery.com/">Pattycake</a> that I purchased the day before. Delicious! And a little bit more photogenic too: <img src="http://walker.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/img_2314.JPG" alt="Desert" />

<b>Euclid Avenue vs. High Street: Why the Streetcar Would Work</b> I was recently in Cleveland for two days for a Transportation Research Board workshop to view its new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line first-hand. I came away very impressed with what Cleveland has done, and I couldn’t help thinking about the similarities to what Columbus is trying to do with the streetcar. Much more here: http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2008/08/02/euclid-avenue-vs-high-street-why-the-streetcar-would-work/

I think this photo from "City Creek" in SLC is exactly what the existing City Center structure could look like with the skylight roof ripped off and a bit of a resurfacing through the "inside" to turn it into an "outside". <img src="http://www.downtownrising.com/city_creek/images/conceptual_rendering_med.jpg"> More details here: http://www.downtownrising.com/city_creek/index.php

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15594 <b>Zanzibar Brews now open in the King Lincoln District</b> <img src="http://walker.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/zanzibar.jpg"> A second coffee shop called <A href="http://zanzibarbrews.com">Zanzibar Brews</a> just opened on Long Street in the King Lincoln District, a mere five months after the first coffee shop (<a href="http://www.urban-spirit.com/">Urban Spirit</a>) opened just a few blocks away. Is this up-and-coming neighborhood ready to support two independent coffee shops? According to their website, Zanzibar will serve a variety of breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps, and desserts in addition to coffee. Their hours are from 7am to 9pm, with extended hours on Fri & Sat (11pm) and shortened hours on Sunday (8am to 7pm). <hr> <i>Update</i>: Anne & I just went over there to grab some dinner to bring home, and scope the place out a bit. I think Urban Spirit feels much more like an independent coffee shop, and this place had a much more corporate feel. Looks like they had some money to spend on the decor. Felt a bit like a Panera, for better or for worse. I thought it was nice. Looks like it seats about 30 people, and they have some room for a patio outside. They have a main entrance on Long St, and a back entrance that connects to the lobby of the offices in the bulding. I imagine they're going to do well with the office workers in the building, and probably even better when the Lincoln opens up next Spring, which is nearly directly across the street. I noticed the coffee they served is Stauf's, for those who drink coffee. They also had milkshakes and smoothies, Graeter's Ice Cream, and a few other items that aren't on the online menu. Anne got a veggie wrap ($4), and I got a ham & cheese sandwich ($4.50). We each got a cinnamon roll for dessert ($2.25 each). Total was $13. Employees were very friendly and chatted us up a bit. The food wasn't bad. The sandwiches and wraps are pre-made in to-go containers, so I'm interested to try out a panini, which I assume is made in the kitchen to order. And the most interesting part... they have an area towards the back that looks to be set up for a bar. There's some lower lounge seating next to it too. The only thing missing was booze and a bartender. It didn't really hit me until we got home, but the menu I grabbed does say "Coffee Shop and LOUNGE", and their logo has a cocktail on it. I'll have to ask about it next time I stop by, because if they are going to serve alcohol, I can see the place feeling very much like a MoJoe Lounge. Oh, and lastly, there's now a dry cleaners next door to them as well. "Elite Dry Cleaners" according to the flyer/price guide I picked up in the coffee shop. Their prices look reasonable, so I'll have to give them a shot sometime. I intentionally try not to buy any clothes that need dry cleaning, but I wouldn't mind taking a few shirts and slacks and sweaters there if they do a good job with them.

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15591 <b>Cook Shack BBQ opening on Long St. Downtown</b> <img src="http://walker.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/20_east_long.png"> Today I spotted a sign in the Atlas Building for Cook Shack BBQ coming soon. Would be another good addition to downtown and nice to see that building getting filled in. According to their website, their original location is in Hilliard and they serve a variety of Salads, Sandwiches, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Po Boys, Rib Racks, Smoked Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, House-made Chips and Pork Rinds, and quite a bit more.

I don't understand what you just said.

Can't wait until all of Front Street is two-way. :D

BonoTOGO is the current rage in Columbus right now. http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14668

I guess we should build a wall around Ohio to keep out the foreigners then so they can't TERK ERR JERBS. :roll:

Some pics here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15420&start=50 I've also posted a PDF (3.5MB) of the parking proposal (which includes future locations and photos) here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/scooter_parking_report.pdf

I've never been to Shadowbox, but I'm excited about this! :D

Photo of Me from the Alive: <img src="http://columbusalive.com/2008/0717/images/ptw-inside.jpg"> <img src="http://columbusalive.com/2008/0717/images/ptw-evans2.jpg"> And here's the article: http://columbusalive.com/?sec=upfront&story=alive/2008/0717/u-people04.html

Here's a link to the actual thread: http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15447 Quite the heated debate. I've heard some rumblings from others that Weiler needs to go. ;)

I would have preferred a 24/7 Buckeye Donuts there, but I'm just glad these retail spaces are filling in quickly. ;)

The City currently owns the mall. They wrestled it from the most recent owners a year ago after they missed a monthly rent payment (see page six of this discussion). The mall had been changing hands a lot lately and the City wasn't able to get owners to sit down and the table and talk about redevelopment, so they used a bit of blunt force to nab it. So now they're looking for a new developer. For awhile, it seemed like NRI would be handling the revamp, but with Grandview Yard being planned, it will probably be up to someone else. I can see the City sinking a bit of money into making the parcel more attractive (such as spending money to demo the skywalk) but we should be seeing news (fingers crossed) before the end of the year about handing the reigns over to a private developer to take things from there.

Doh. I google mapped it, so 6 miles was driving distance. My bad. Either way. Yes. Professional Noise Study. As a hunch I'm willing to bet the sound will carry fairly easily across the river, the grave yard, and the emptiness that is the whittier peninsula. There's not really a whole lot to dampen the sound between the two areas.