WalkerEvans

The mayor has had dozens of public meetings before and after City Council called that meeting that you're referring to so that THEY could hear comments from the public. That was not the mayor's meeting, and there was really no reason for him to be there at all. Do not do our City Council a disservice by trying to make the mayor a more important figure at their meeting.

Columbus Motor Speedway is 6 miles from German Village. That is unless we're talking about two different German Villages here. I agree with you that a professional noise study needs to be done. And so do the residents of German Village: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2008/06/03/0605gesociety_ln.html?sid=104

No, The City of Columbus does not need to dump millions into the mall to make it attractive to retailers. We do not need the City to be the landlord of a downtown property like this. The city needs to invest a bit of money (more through incentives than actual payouts) to make it attractive to a <i>competent developer</i> and let them redevelop the property. Who ever heard of a City Government running a mall? That would never work. ;)

The reason no other state is doing it is because Ohio is leading the way for once. Whether or not students decide to stay or leave after 4 years this is going to pull a lot of federal funds into our colleges and universities across the state while they're here. Even if the retention of these students is 10%, that's still 10% more than zero. More money + more skilled workers + more solid taxpayers = win for Ohio

I could clearly hear bands playing two months ago at Rock on the Range at Crew Stadium from my home at night with the windows open, and I live 3 miles south of there. To the best of my knowledge, the bands were playing from a lower altitude too. Cooper Stadium is 2 miles west of German Village. I have no doubt that it will be audible from there unless some major sound dampening is put in place. It would be even worse for the people in Southern Franklinton who live right next door. I propose they build a racetrack in Powell.

A fast food restaurant is still a restaurant.

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=419666&r=0&Category=13&subCategoryID=0 All veterans eligible for tuition break at Ohio colleges Tuesday, July 8, 2008 BY PAUL E. KOSTYU One university president called a new effort by the governor to attract veterans to Ohio and its colleges a "stroke of genius." Gov. Ted Strickland signed an executive order today that makes all members of the military honorary Ohioans, no matter what state they were born in or where they live or serve, making them eligible for in-state tuition at all of the state's colleges and universities. That means their tuition is free under both the current and a new federal GI Bill.

From ThisWeekNews: Slideshow of Creekside Grand Opening

Good stuff. Hope to see some good things come out of this plan.

Yeah, 200 is a bit of a stretch, but if you're willing to walk to GV or OSU, I think there's probably 200 bars and restaurants in between. ;)

A few previous articles about the very-likely Clippers/Indians affiliation: Columbus likely as Triple-A affiliate - http://www.ohio.com/sports/indians/16158307.html Bob Hunter commentary - http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/04/18/rumblings18.ART_ART_04-18-08_C3_PG9VAVU.html?sid=101

I dunno... demolitions are super expensive, and the bones of the mall are still good being only 19 years old. It's going to cost $3 million just to tear out the skywalk over High Street. I think we can re-use a lot of the existing building if the roof can be ripped off and the former "inside" be retrofitted and weatherproofed to become "outdoor" space. There's also room to add on a build upward in the unused Greenspace at High & Rich and the parking lot next to the Garage. Either way, bring on the revamp! :D

Crowning the King-Lincoln By John Ross, Columbus Alive July 3, 2008 Opened in 1928 as the Ogden Theater & Dance Hall, the 60,000-square-foot theater is set to reopen in April 2009. The building, located on Long Street just east of I-71, has been closed since the early 1970s. Aware of the structure's historic importance and the need to bring it up to code, the Columbus Association of Performing Arts, which is at the helm of the $12.8-million project, is trying to strike a balance between traditional charm and modern convenience. Todd Bemis, CAPA's vice president of theater operations, said he wants it to look like it did during the 1950s but offer better concessions, bathrooms, lighting, sound and disability access. "It's a delicate balance of old and new," he said. Read more here: http://columbusalive.com/?sec=upfront&story=alive/2008/0703/u-city.html

It sounds like they would be able to according to some of the studies being done. You can easily hear fireworks from Cooper Stadium downtown on a clear night. Racecars are much louder.

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15341&start=22 Media vs. Reality on Streetcar Status Not that I’ll ever say there’s any way to capture reality 100%, but the article in the Dispatch is a bit misleading. Some things we discussed with the reporter yesterday that were not necessarily reflected: 1. Streetcars are a piece of a broader regional system that we need to start planning for today. The City, MORPC and COTA have been in talks for some time about how to officially take this conversation to the next level with the public, and we need as much public support as possible. The disagreement is generally between people who believe we should hold off on phase 1 (streetcars) or go ahead and get construction going while we enter what could be a multi-year debate on how to pay for the heavier light rail, and exactly where the lines go. In the end, we believe there will be a modern streetcar line built on High Street either way that integrates with Light Rail, cars and buses. The variable is when we get it built… by 2012/2013 or much later. We don’t think we should wait. For those who’ve actually read our research and policy papers instead of just the paper, you know we’ve been talking about how this streetcar needs to be planned for and integrated into a broader regional transportation plan with bikes, buses, high-speed rail and light rail for a long time. 2. We are a very fiscally conservative City, and it is good for Council to reflect that, we respect their oversight and have listened to their concerns. With the changes coming in Washington and the growing national interest in rail, we believe the time is right to get Columbus at the table for future Federal funding, and this may relieve the pressure on our General Fund. We believe the Federal Government is about to make a major change in strategy on highways vs. rail, and we will be stepping up efforts to address that through the contract we’re about to put forward. The problem, no matter who is President, is that they’re going to want to see a City with a credible plan and money on the table to get started when they rank where their investment will go. Columbus needs to keep our process going, or risk falling further behind other cities on this potential funding stream. We are ranked last for big cities when it comes to rail and transit, and we’re the biggest city with no rail in the US. We need to break some old habits here and show that our community is ready to deal with transportation more holistically. 3. Our team at the City, with COTA, MORPC and others have been continuing our outreach (as promised) to get input and answer some of the tough questions after the hearings earlier this year, and we’re putting together a plan to update and finish the financing plan based on the input we’re getting from small and large businesses and residents. (Thank you to everyone who has hosted a meeting!) The legislation to fund this next step should be ready in a week or two. This is hardly on the shelf, and the D’s wording is unfortunately misleading. One of the Mayor and our team’s goals starting several years ago was to stir the pot of the transit debate with these concepts and plans, and we’ve been very successful in that. Even if everyone on CU has a different opinion on exactly how this should work, the excellent thing is that the debate is going on at a broader level than at any time in 10 years in Columbus. Thank you all for being a part of that.

From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14750 So, I just got back from the Pearl Market, and I had to sit right down and tell everyone to get there on their lunch break for some Nellie's Samosas. I am always lamenting our lack of street food here in Cbus, so when I saw the samosas I was excited. The samosas are fried fresh and they have this amazingly arromatic spice blend, and are only slightly spicy. There's a nice little hot aftertaste, but the chai cooled it right down. I had the meat version, but they also have a vegetarian version. They are served with lemon wedges which they encourage you to squeeze over the pastry. inside: They also have freshly made iced chai which is very good. The woman in line in front of me said it tasted just like the chai in India. It was spicy and not too sweet, strong on the tea and refreshing. I am sure it will be welcome on days when it is really sweltering. 2 palm-sized samosas are $4, Iced Chai was $2.50, so the snack (which could be lunch for some) was $6.50. totally worth it for the homemade treats. And if you are scared to buy, they have tiny little sample-sized samosas. Please support small upstarts like this! They make our city a better place! Nellie's Samosa's stand is located just north of Ringside, on the same side of the alley

For anyone interested, there's a group from CU going to check out the new Russian place. Probably on the 25th. http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14772

Cross Posted from here: http://walker.columbusunderground.com/?p=666 Yet another installment of great homes for sale over here in our new neighborhood. Most of these are foreclosures that seemed to have just popped up in the <a href="http://www.columbushomesblog.com/2008/04/21/100s-of-hud-homes-will-soon-hit-the-columbus-real-estate-market/">last few weeks</a>. It looks like some of them need a little TLC and others need a lot of TLC. All of them are great deals though considering the proximity to downtown and historic nature of most of these places as well as the rest of the neighborhood. Enjoy! <a href="http://www.realtytrac.com/PropertyDetails/PropertyDetails.aspx?a=b&propId=18278154&accnt=159844&firstLevelReferer=---"><img src="http://thumbs.trulia.com/pictures/thumbs_big/5625/2001345625_1047428870--N-Monroe-Ave-Columbus-OH-43203.jpg" align="right" /></a> <a href="http://www.realtytrac.com/PropertyDetails/PropertyDetails.aspx?a=b&propId=18278154&accnt=159844&firstLevelReferer=---">North Monroe Avenue, Columbus OH 43203</a> $157,000 5 br 2 ba 2,438 sqft Year Built: 2004 Price/sqft: $64 <a href="http://www.realtytrac.com/PropertyDetails/PropertyDetails.aspx?a=b&propId=17943432&accnt=159844&firstLevelReferer=---"><img src="http://thumbs.trulia.com/pictures/thumbs_big/1612/2001241612_326454917--E-Gay-St-Columbus-OH-43203.jpg" align="right" /></a> <a href="http://www.realtytrac.com/PropertyDetails/PropertyDetails.aspx?a=b&propId=17943432&accnt=159844&firstLevelReferer=---">East Gay Street, Columbus OH 43203</a> $60,000 4 br 1 ba 2,120 sqft Year Built: 1900 Price/sqft: $28 <a href="http://www.realtytrac.com/PropertyDetails/PropertyDetails.aspx?a=b&propId=17943001&accnt=159844&firstLevelReferer=---"><img src="http://thumbs.trulia.com/pictures/thumbs_big/8130/2001238130_1494494189--Miami-Ave-Columbus-OH-43203.jpg" align="right" /></a> <a href="http://www.realtytrac.com/PropertyDetails/PropertyDetails.aspx?a=b&propId=17943001&accnt=159844&firstLevelReferer=---">Miami Avenue, Columbus OH 43203</a> $44,000 3 br 1 ba 1,546 sqft Year Built: no info Price/sqft: $28 <a href="http://www.kingthompson.com/property/propertydetails.aspx?property=f20f63c8-d7d5-4952-9c3d-10ca9f2ad89c&WT.mc_ID=061810000000000"><img src="http://thumbs.trulia.com/pictures/thumbs_big/9465/1059379465_750107868-236-Miami-Ave-Columbus-OH-43203.jpg" align="right" /></a> <a href="http://www.kingthompson.com/property/propertydetails.aspx?property=f20f63c8-d7d5-4952-9c3d-10ca9f2ad89c&WT.mc_ID=061810000000000">236 Miami Avenue, Columbus OH 43203</a> $16,900 3 br 1 ½ ba 1,679 sqft Year Built: 1920 Price/sqft: $10 <a href="http://www.realtytrac.com/PropertyDetails/PropertyDetails.aspx?a=b&propId=17627952&accnt=159844&firstLevelReferer=---"><img src="http://thumbs.trulia.com/pictures/thumbs_big/9119/2001119119_53188046--Hamilton-Ave-Columbus-OH-43203.jpg" align="right" /></a> <a href="http://www.realtytrac.com/PropertyDetails/PropertyDetails.aspx?a=b&propId=17627952&accnt=159844&firstLevelReferer=---">Hamilton Avenue, Columbus OH 43203</a> $40,000 3 br 1 ba 1,564 sqft Year Built: 1890 Price/sqft: $26

From here: http://columbusalive.com/?sec=photo&slideshow=sites/dispatch/ticker/alive0529-aln/&slideshowTYPE=3&gallery=true&post=html/bottom_galleries.html :-D

Betty's has got a <a href="http://www.bettyscolumbus.com">brand new website</a>:

Ha, I spotted it shortly after I posted here. ;) I'm not sure this will be a bad thing for the North Market. They really don't compete directly with a grocery store like Giant Eagle. I think the two could potentially compliment each other well.

http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=148621 <b>Dirty Frank's Hot Dogs opening downtown in July</b> Dirty Frank's Hot Dogs, a casual hot doggery and neighborhood bar is set to open mid-July in Downtown Columbus, Ohio bringing another fun and affordable lunch option to downtown workers and dwellers. Partners Elizabeth Lessner and Harold LaRue look to bring quality hot dogs and some whimsical sizzle to downtown Columbus. "Columbus has hot dog envy. People visit New York and Chicago and eat at some of the finest restaurants in the world but come back raving about the hot dogs," says Lessner, current CEO of Betty's, Surly Girl Saloon and Tip Top Kitchen and native of Chicago, famed for their outstanding "slap your forehead" scrumptious red hots. Dirty Franks will feature delicious all-beef Vienna franks, Polish sausages, Kielbasa and Tofu dogs served in steamed poppy seed buns topped with fresh ingredients prepared to order. Sides will include Corn on the Cob with Chipotle Butter, Sriracha Cole Slaw, Roasted Sport Pepper Mac 'n Cheese, India Pale Ale Dredged Onion Rings, and Hot Dog Cornbread. Salads and a few casserole dishes will also be available. To complement your dog, locally brewed Frostop Root Beer on draught, plenty of Pabst Blue Ribbon and the house specialty drink, Dirty Frank's Bloody Mary which contains Sport-Pepper Infused Vodka with Celery Seed Bloody Mary mix.

Brown was already tasked with pushing the Streetcar before. It sounds like now he can push harder as it's become a more primary focus. :D

The Giant Eagle development is big news. I'm surprised there hasn't been any chatter about this.

LINK: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/05/10/WESTLAND.ART_ART_05-10-08_A1_SNA5MVI.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101 <b>Westland owners hope to make a mini-Easton</b> Saturday, May 10, 2008 3:27 AM BY MARK FERENCHIK, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH <img src="http://ee.dispatch.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TCD/2008/05/10/1/Img/Pc0011800.jpg"> Owners of the largely vacant Westland Mall want to demolish it and replace it with an open-air shopping center of big-box stores, restaurants and smaller stores. The mall turns 40 next year. It once was the primary shopping destination for residents of western Franklin County and beyond, but it was usurped by the nearby Mall at Tuttle Crossing and other malls. Tearing down Westland and improving the property with such things as new lights and storm sewers would cost $3.3 million. Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown and Greater Columbus Chamber President Ty Marsh have asked state legislators to include $500,000 in the two-year capital-construction package to help pay for the work. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/05/10/WESTLAND.ART_ART_05-10-08_A1_SNA5MVI.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101