DevolsDance

Looks like United has announced non-stop service between CMH and SFO will resume on June 3. https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2022/03/28/united-airlines-resumes-several-popular-nonstops-a.html

I am guessing this ultimately became the Riffe Center. Riffe is no architectural gem but its so much more palatable than Rhodes, I am quite glad we ended up with Riffe vs. a second Rhodes. Oof

I dont know if I am happy or sad it isn't taller. Like taller would be nice but also more of that tower may not be nice. Truly mixed feelings.

Bonus - We now have a planned height of 382' That number places the tower as ~20' taller than the Hilton. Also means that all three new towers (WMC, Hilton, North Market) all will fall in Columbus' top 15.

Absolutely agree, that said.... I have gotten the opportunity a few times to talk with those decision makers at the university and have brought this up. The good news is that basically everyone at the university agrees, they hate them. The bad news is they towers are too valuable to lose (they house roughly 2000 students) and too expensive to retrofit/upgrade (they floated exterior and interior redesigns a few years back), so for better or worse the towers are here to stay. I was told they even discussed exterior lighting upgrades (color programable LEDs) and apparently it would require FAA approvals due to the towers heights and proximity to the med center helipads so the university had no interest in dealing with something even that minimal. I know it's not what you wanted to hear but thought I could provide some insight.

"what did you say" - CVS

My understanding is that this CVS is kind of a lifeline for Westminister-Thurber. Early on in the process it was discussed how a huge chunk of the clientele walks across the street from Westminister-Thurber for all kind of things, like OTC drugs, small grab and go items, the pharmacy, etc. I really do see the value in keeping a convenience store pharmacy here for Thurber and the surrounding neighborhood but its insane to me that CVS is demanding that much. They'd be getting a new space, improved visibility, and increased density/population to pull from... the fact they are demanding a suburban store in this location and have hundreds of true urban locations around the country is asinine. Isn't CVS agreeing to the Lane & High project? I am pretty sure that will be a CVS with no/minimal impact drive-thru and is on the ground floor of a mixed use tower. So why are they demanding such a different project here? I am not sure what can be done but I just feel like there is a solution and its probably just that nobody wants to pay for it.

Email sent, was pretty blunt but constructive. YIMBY mode in full force against this disaster. I hate we have to fight for a more urban development in the center of the city basically... ridiculous.

wtf is this garbage.... you have to be kidding me. They held community engagement meetings and hyped up local media for this? One of the densest and most walkable neighborhoods in the city and they are doing two out-parcel strip stores and a 5-story residential wrapped around a party house/leasing office. Frankly, what a waste, just don't bother and find a developer who does.

Kind of the same problem in the AD. While it is stunning, the 5 story brick just feels monotonous after a block or two, you really have to have some visual breaks or pop. The AD and Grandview Yard were massive wins overall but I just feel like NRI went too conservative and as a result, all these years later with things like Franklinton and the Short North booming, these two areas now feel quite bland.

There are very few cities in this country that can afford the "build it and they will come" approach with stadiums/arenas and almost all have failed at attracting the said "field of dreams" team. It's is not the route Cincinnati should or I think ever would go down. I would say the most logical approach if the city wanted a new arena is an 10,000-ish seater like Toledo's Huntington Center. It's a good size to pull conventions/concerts/minor league but not be a drain on resources like a Nationwide or Quicken would be without a Pro team filling the schedule... but 5/3 exists already to fill that void.

It's still happening, just delayed. "The Short North Alliance is so excited to partner with Columbus Crew SC. Projects like this are complicated and we’re modifying our project plans to adjust timing so that it best aligns with all of the exciting things coming up with the team and the District. Updated installation timeline to be announced soon." https://shortnorth.org/arts-galleries/public-art/

No, I want The Slider Center or Jeni's Splendid Center. These are the only acceptable options! I hope you're listening Convention people!

Agreed, this was a fascinating point of the article. While we really don't know the reach Intel will have, I think a name like Intel investing in the city will serve is a kind of a beacon to developers/investors who have previously ignored or didn't know about the market. Back to the Key Bank building though, I love this building but I need someone to develop the surface lot or something because I cannot stand the massive blank and depressing gray walls that face Broad St.

Eh, blah. It is what it is. I am not a huge fan of naming rights in general but I understand the realities arenas/stadiums/convention centers face. It's always a tossup because naming rights can be casual like Nationwide or get confusing like the LC/ Express Live/Kemba Live... Imagine The Worthington Industries Convention Center Columbus. If they want to do it, whatever, just find a sponsor who will sign loooonnnnggg term and is a Columbus brand since it's a civic structure that represents the city.

Franklinton is really turning into one the one most architecturally diverse/fun parts of the city and we are just getting started. I fully expect to see height and design continue to be pushed as it grows.

I also believe that the design intent is to be more easily expandable. Early concepts for the new alignment highlighted the ease of expansion compared it its current alignment. I would imagine one of the conditions of the bid was a design that adapts to future growth/needs. Initial Build Future Growth

Just completely spelling out the dream right there, I hope someday it is reality though. Its kinda wild how this could go from one of the weirdest dead zones along High to a hub of activity between thousands of hotel rooms, multiple levels of transit connections and the convention center... I cant handle this level of excitement on a Monday.

They talked early on in the planning for Grandview Yard that while the community wasn't the most supportive, this was the way forward for Grandview Heights. They basically explained that using these available nodes allowed them to expand tax base and support the city without having to worry about development encroaching/harming the fabric of the existing neighborhoods.

I think is likely a mistake. The post itself seems like an odd mix of images and past project renders (this is the OG design rom like 8 years ago). I wouldn't think much into this, Wood Cos is really the highest quality local dev we have, they will build to or better than the renders. It is exciting to see they are breaking ground next year though!

That list of applicants for the TMUD tax credits is kinda wild based on what I thought was the criteria. I don't even think half of those would qualify... but who am I kidding, I'm sure some clever legal work-arounds are happening in their apps to meet the minimums. How is the CMM campus mixed use? EDIT - It looks like the official text considers structured parking as a use under "mixed-uses", so basically any semi-urban project qualifies.

I think that's the office building that is part of phase 2. For some reason I feel like Ohio Health is taking space in it for office or an urgent care.

Honestly all the LC has achieved here is showing how much of a mess their development arm must be internally. Respectively, baby developers have moved in, set up larger shop, and started turning profit before LC has been able to get 3 average projects up and running. Years ago I was at CMH waiting for a flight to Nashville and listening three LC reps discuss the RiverSouth projects. Even back then, they were calling the projects the company money pit. I don't know exactly where or when these went wrong, but they really have never seemed to regain their footing.

Rough count, there are 3 floors left to go. I imagine we will see the final pour happening in ~2 weeks.

Yeah the latest and approved version is a complete teardown, they even gave up on trying to integrate aspects of the church into the new structure. The project is just another box now.