DTCL11

I think a tower would do and look good there as well. I think a tower would look great in alot of places. Ideally, I'd rather not have to have the convention center spend so much money and space on parking to begin with. But the convention center and associated hotels require more parking (allegedly). So from a practical standpoint, I'm more inclined to prefer to tuck the parking in obscure places like that triangle than take up that adjacent property for parking because the convention center has to choose either or. The Goodale and 3rd street garages both being examples of parking structures I'd rather have situated in a no man's land between viaducts leaving space for more hotel or convention space directly adjacent to the convention facility.

I wish @NorthShore647 was also still around Columbus. Between Northshore and @CbusOrBust we'd pretty much be able to make stop motion movies of construction progress around town and never miss a beat.

May I suggest a profile pic for CbusOrBust?

The goal is that they will be recycling and reusing nearly 100% of the water within a handful of years. Without going back through everything, I believe this build is supposed to be nearly 100% sustainable as possible.

Interesting that river activation is high up for downtown focus groups since it's arguably the most activated part of the river in the city with the exception of perhaps more waterfront retail/restaurants. Can we bring back the Waterfire Concerts? It belongs in the other thread but I encourage folks to go through the entire Rapid 5 report. There's some gems in there, as well as plenty of garbage bit still worth a read through.

That one caught my attention as well. I'm wondering if it will be centered around CMA and CCAD. My other thought is whether it will be similar to the one that used to be in German Village(?) Certainly another interesting thing to dig in to.

I corrected my OP, but apart from mixing the two (Budget vs Bond Issue), the planned $7.5 million for the Fountain is new and a significant development for the plaza that has not be previously hinted at by the city, parks, CDDC, etc.

There's a tidbit in the Dispatch about the new 2022 Capital Budget that includes an allocation of $7.5 Million for the Scioto Fountain. At first I thought maybe it was a typo but the 62 page report from the city also lists $7.5 million. It also lists it as a renovation Previous articles from March and August 2021 and as recent as May 27, 2022 listed the needed repairs at roughly $900k. Looks like something pretty significant might be in the works for the Scioto Fountain or perhaps the entire plaza. Time to get some super sleuths on it. Edit: for additional context. I can't find the cost of the fountain/plaza itself from 2011 but the entire Scioto Mile cost $44 million then, or approximately $57 million in 2022 dollars. So $7.5 million would represent about 13% of the overall cost for the entire mile.

We can go back and forth for pages over the details and justifications behind our opinions but the fact remains that it is not unreasonable to make potshots at the expense of CVS regarding their demands on Neil where there should rightfully be less leeway than Equitas for a litany of reasons, namely that they arent doing the same thing as CVS at all.

Let's think of it as 'Constructive Criticism'

In the meantime, Walgreens is focusing on adaptive reuses for smaller footprints (like High Street at OSU) and has been trying to provide larger food options in food deserts and generally has a better urban model store format. But I guess perhaps being founded in Chicago vs Tiny Town, USA might influential over the years.

So thats part of the long term acquisition that I think the convention center would be wise to acquire and tuck a garage in there (that could also still be used by Smith Brothers guests). There's a little sidewalk that goes under the viaduct to connect the Triangle lot to Smith Brothers. The Goodale lot often discussed for quick development is to the west of the Goodale Garage, behind the Cap. Of course, Smith Brothers could probably benefit from digging a 2 level garage with more green space at entry level if money was no object as well. Lol

Who would have predicted White Castle would be a bastion of mixed use redevelopment partnerships of underutilized property while CVS would be the bas**** of the same?

The surface lot on Goodale is good for a one off. No matter what, that section of Goodale is a feeder. At best, it gets guests closer to the Short North. I'm less concerned about what or when it gets developed since it's pretty much a plug and play plot that they can fill eventually It neither makes or breaks urbanism or the convention center. Since they completed the Northern expansion and garage, they've pretty much boxed themselves into a corner unless they're going to tear down parts of the Northern expansion. Granted, that could very well be the next focus since it's such a no brainer. For me, I'm thinking about what transforms the convention center to be able to attract new and different conventions and/or events or the ability to host multiple events beyond hotel rooms so that East Lot is more important to see movement on sooner rather than later IMO. It also provides access to the same rail lines the Amtrak proposal entails and therefore could be used as an alternative Amtrak site with more room for Amtrak centered amenities. (Not that I think it will ever actually happen as desired) It would be interesting to see the county/convention center take a page from the North Market or future COTA transportation center and use public land to add in residential and better mixed use. As a reminder of what could have been 😪

The whole triangle is the one I was thinking of. Glad they own part which means it's probably in their interest to get all of it. The big plot is what im referring to as East Surface Lot. I know they've floated plans before but now the Hilton is nearing completion I'm hoping we get more solid plans for it. Probably ought to move hypotheticals to the general convention center thread. But that's where I think that taking Drury Inn out and putting in a new structure that can flow foof traffic over or under 3rd Street into a future expansion is something I'd like to see. Also found the original approved proposal for the 3rd street garage and I'm salty. I'd literally prefer it to be an exposed parking deck than that terrible curtain.

I think if the main facade hadn't come all the way down it in between it would have felt cleaner and more clear but otherwise I think it will look good in the long run. Now, let's see what the urgency will be for more. I'm hoping it won't be too long before we get traction on a plan for the East Surface Lot as the next evolution of Convention Center. I dont necessarily have a preference as to what it becomes, just that it becomes useful. An unnecessary idea would be to totally revamp the southern half. Tear down Drury Inn, add a new modern hotel that can more efficiently use the land and tie into an expanded/renovated south end, make the roofs match, prepare for a continous connection to whatever goes into the East Surface Lot etc... but again, not required though would be nice. As I sit here staring at Google earth playing SimCity in my mind, I wish they would have acquired the plot between 3rd and 4th south of Goodale for a garage and then left all of the space between Goodale and 670 for expansions. And actually picked any of those proposals from way back when on the north end. *sigh*

The reason Charlotte has large trees in its CBD is they haven't updated their streetscape in decades and they've reached full maturity. The newer areas around Romare Beardon look closer to much of Columbus than the rest of uptown Charlotte since they were done less than 10 years ago. The reason Columbus has small trees is much more has been redone in the last decade and they haven't matured yet. Particularly this photo where the trees are a couple years old. The Short North used to be covered with beautiful large locust trees that arched over the streets but they had to go to redo the streetscape and provide a better pedestrian experience. Another contributing factor to the decisions of treelining streets in the region is also ice storms. After the ice storm of 2005 that wiped out entire towns of tree lined streets, a conscious decision to avoid planting trees that would grow large and potentially decimate any travel on top of power restoration was made as well as large trees contributing to sidewalk and underground infrastructure damage. So more of the trees planted today are columnar or oval and less spreading in nature with those factors in mind. They'll still grow nicely and become plenty more full, they just won't be the tree tunnels of old. The trees planted around town are among the largest ones you can order and plant without bringing in behemoths. In that case you'd actually have to plant the trees first and then hardscape, infrastructure, etc around them to accommodate the root balls. That's why we saw larger trees planted in the Scioto Greenways projects or other open landscapes than what we typically see along streetscapes. (From my experience working with landscape companies who did contract work for local municipalities post 2005)

I guess I'm confused. Are you saying that the building was built with the idea of being a Walgreens or CVS or that they modeled it after that to get around some zoning? Out of the Closet (subsidiary of the Aids Healtcare Foundation) bought that land, designed, and purpose built its own building. It may have been modeled off a typical corner pharmacy plug but it was not built with a major retail pharmacy in mind or to market to attracting them. Or is that should they decide to pull from the market, they might have an easier time selling to such an entity?

There's certainly those amazing opportunities but if funds don't provide for that now, modest alterations to this site and an operating business will make a world of difference over letting it sit while funds and resources can be gathered and arranged. Kind of like the new airport. They still put many millions into the existing knowing that the new one was just a bit too far away but that didnt necessarily mean that a new airport was delayed over that spending if that makes sense. The economy and building atmosphere can hopefully settle down the road as well. It's a good place holder. Imagine if other developers at least gave us decent place holders while they sit on land. They could have pulled what others are trying in demolishing for parking or just sitting vacant for a decade and just generate parking income. How long has the retail at High and Poplar been vacant at this point? If a developer bought family dollar and simply renovated it for retail, I'd feel similar. Give us something over nothing using the existing structures. But if they proposed building a new piece of trash development, then I'd be pretty upset. For me, I'll take adaptive reuses and be ok with it. That also provides more taxes to the city in income taxes and sales tax if they didn't just let them sit empty. The retail pharmacy up and running in a vibrant neighborhood generates income to achieve a bigger goal, even if it is 5-10 years down the road. For all we know, Family Dollar will still be vacant then. And we may be overlooking that if they do what they did in King Lincoln, it will also provide another piece of that convenience store puzzle where you can pick up simple food products, household goods, that the Short North has lacked and been begging for for many years. I can see where it could have been more but I guess for me, it's just not so much of a disappointment.

I already feel spears headed my way but I'm willing to give some leeway here. 1. The building exists and the commission can't block an existing, structurally sound building for being utilized within existing parameters. They can't force a property owner to tear down a building and build new multistory arbitrarily. 2. Equitas has a purpose in the community and fills a need. They have a vision and mission for the community as well. So if their building isn't quite up to urban junkie desires, they are still there to serve a purpose in a community they care about. Which makes it better than a check cashing place for those reasons as well as the aesthetic upgrades. 3. People do drive from all over to go to this pharmacy specifically. Unlike a CVS on Neil that doesn't have one and you can just as easily drive to a CVS with a drive thru, there are 2 Equitas pharmacies in Columbus so there isn't much room for 'just go to another one' 4. Equitas has built what would be better here. I have a feeling that given the price they paid for the land, and current economic factors, building another similar facility may stretch the budget too much. For now. Yes, they aren't a developer but Equitas isn't blind to good urban needs or designs. To continue to serve the Short North, they needed more space and the option was to maybe hope the developer who buys this land accommodates them or buy the land themselves to have that flexibility. Whether or not they could partner with a developer with them as the land owner might also be difficult in current conditions. I think the idea 'they don't care' is far too dismissive. They might not be focused on retail and restaurants and market rate apartments to further density a neighborhood but they certainly do care about the neighborhood in many more ways. In the end, the Short North has 6ish of this type of spots left. If one of them isn't ideal but offers what Equitas offers, it will all be ok. Is it ideal? No. But does it ruin anything? Absolutely not. It's not building 3 drive thru restaurants along a planned BRT kind of ruin to me. I'd rather be throwing pitchforks at Family Dollar Corporate for sitting on their land than a Healthcare provider that focuses on marginalized and disadvantaged communities.

I'll scream it from every rooftop that 670, 70, and 71 could and should be entirely capped through most of the core with parks, transit, and boulevards on top but there's not enough backing, especially now that they missed the opportunity for 70/71 revamp. 'Cap Capable' in some spots isn't enough IMO.

I'm less concerned over a blank garage wall facing 670 than the actual condition of the cap. It's deteriorating and so far, I've not seen anything that says it's going to be fixed up. The Goodale/Neil portion looks horrid and the temporary murals they used to help cover it were not well conceived either. (The panels themselves. Not the art) We really need the city and state to come through on that and just revamp that portion especially as the North Market Historic District portion of the AD fills up.

I can't tell if they are getting rid of them or building on top of them. It looks like it has the opportunity to be one of the mor unique buildings in the area... which the commission will hate. However, if the materials are consistent with the neighborhood hood, might help.