DTCL11

I'm sure this all belongs in another forum but here we go.... I almost headed this off but didn't. Now I wish I had. How many happen where the person is on foot? On a bike? Gets away in a car? Can we ban bikes, cars, and shoes? Notice the increased in private motorized scooters that are not banned. GPS tracking can also be used to identify the rental information of the scooter at an exact time and location of an incident so there is additional evidence against an assailant. How many happen within 5-10 ft of high street vs on Pearl, or 2nd, or any of the other miles of roads and alleys adjacent to high? We really think a ban on scooters is gonna stop them? The police, from their own words, won't engage scooter riders violating laws because the (paraphrasing their own liason, Weir) 'use of force required to intercept or stop a scooter violator could cause injury or rapid escalation' aka.... look bad when they start tackling or using tasers on people riding scooters trying to flee basic violations. If they lowjack high street, how do you cross high, let's say on second street or hubbard? How many other neighborhoods where crime is also on the rise aren't getting this ban? This may deter a couple crimes. However, it is more likely to just shift the method of transportation. Nah, bro. This is a cop out. The folks of the Short North have figured out a way to finally ban scooters they see as a nuisance and being too frequently used by 'hoodlums that don't belong'. I walk and bike the UD, Short North, and Downtown enough to get it. Scooters can be annoying at times but the villainization of them is just ridiculous. I'm still more likely to be injured or killed by a jerk in a car whether by accident or criminal activity than a scooter. I'd be willing to give a benefit of the doubt if it was a more expansive ban on scooters but this is not it. This is attaching a NIMBY goal to a tangential problem because they found a very weak link. Let's be serious. These are the same people begging for cops on every corner, shotspotter, etc etc etc. They're not far from begging CPD to institute stop and frisk policies, which many in the ranks of CPD would be more than willing to do. I get it. There are issues. I live here too. I'm affected by this increase in crime as well in how I consider my daily movement or situational awareness. But grasping at straws with stupid policies ain't it. Make it make sense. Call out BS when we see it.

I.... just....

I'm not as worried about the original facade. There are fantastic examples of combining the two. The facade is easily preserved. It's just a matter how to use the space. If there is concern over whether the facade is visible to exterior, then that's where the new wings I advocate for are even more important. Then the east facing courtyard is left open and spruced up and the wings take the new amenities desired. Cleveland has an amazing example but it's great for a museum. And I think Cosi would look great with a similar atrium. But it's Not great as a pass through. That's why I'm concerned over the concept as presented.

As a refresher I've reposted the concept art. I'll be contrary and say that as it was originally conceived, it doesn't excited me much. I feel it would be underutilized and one of those novelties that goes relatively unnoticed with a revolving door of vendors. I think of similar pass throughs in Chicago or even the one across from the statehouse and they aren't really destinations and the amount of people using it for the purpose of a lass through seems relatively limited to me as well. If you're going to walk the river, going around COSI does not appear to be an access issue. Even once the peninsula is built out. I will always advocate for more use of the waterfront in this city but it didn't give me that. I'd love to see a full expansion of Cosi. A new huge, modern atrium along the riverfront the entire length of the structure on both sides to add another architectural gem to the river front. It would also allow for expanded exhibition space for further collaboration with the Museum of Natural History. It could, in theory, also be large enough to house the Ohio History connection. A full on atrium with more dinosaurs etc. A riverfront restaurant and retail component, sure but the first, limited plan we saw, I could go without. There is potential. But like alot of things Columbus does, it just didn't seem like it went far enough for the right amount of oomph and substance.

We probably won't see the jumping component on these. Because they appeae to go up with the building on the inside, they jump differently than the one on the hilton.

I think the article also affirms that in all honesty, this is our NuCLEus project. It has become pretty evident that the financing for the project is not coming through unless there is major investment from a tax program or otherwise. It's unfortunate but this appears to be the reality. And I'm not holding my breath for TMUD. It's going to be way more competitive than I think most assume. With a handful of awards a year, there could be 50+ applications to compete with. The revision of the law made so many projects eligible. NeoTransits account, over 30 in NEO Ohio alone may qualify. I'll stop there. Don't want to get too far down the negativity path before I get ganged up on.... again...

Oh God yes. So much better aesthetically. Reminds me of some of the builds in West Loop and I am here for it. I'm still concerned about these timeliness though. We were all but ASSURED it was going to start this fall come hell or high water and they pulled another Arshot. 'We know it's another delay.... but look! Updates!'

Nah. Abbott will just sue anyone that's wants to build there.

In theory, they could put a roof over the addition rooftop patio and it becomes an elevated stage? And/or add a rooftop element over the parking as well. But still frustrating that there is even a chance the city still nixes it.

Now.... if we could get the buzz generating again about the 3rd cultural institution on the peninsula. I wonder how much is going on behind the scenes nowadays. Back when the zoo extension failed, there was a big push behind the scenes to find another replacement. But those talks/rumors have largely fallen off even with this new development. I might have expected to start hearing rumors again with so much happening. But Wexner did just sell off a ton of shares so maybe a MOMA for their art collection might actually be in the works 🤔 Disclaimer: I base that off of no personal Knowledge of such plans. I've just always thought that he should build a nice big art museum for a big portion of their collection. I mean, a massive expansion of the CMA would also work but I still can't imagine having all that artwork and money and not wanting to have a massive showpiece building for your legacy. Of course, there's also a good possibility they would expand at OSU or build something in New Albany but that would seem like a missed opportunity to me.

I'd be surprised to see an Ohio Supreme Court decision that says that the controlling entity over zoning doesn't also have the right to grant variances. If there is, it's probably going to be some miniscule technicality but if the law creates the zoning board and outlines the appeals and zoning variance process and that was followed, it's hard for me to believe anything could be floating out there that hasn't been tried before. A cursory search seems to show the Ohio Supreme Court generally ruling in favor of zoning variances even overturning the Cleveland Zoning Authority for one they denied as recently as last year. It seems the Supreme Court deemed the Zoning Authority's arguments for denying were too weak and disproportionately applied. A Some creative folks may try to quote the taking clause but the burden of proof would be so significant I can't see any judge entertaining it.

I hope it's a thoughtful new build to balance the historic building. The right mix of modern and historic would be perfect but I worry the new build will be a mediocre copy paste new build that does nothing to enhance the existing structure and just hides it.

Those appear to be the original buildings painted black and the porch roofs removed. Just a bad image from from software.

Wasn't there a prior lantern square proposal just to add to the front of the site awhile ago?

I wonder if COTA will sell the transfer station on Spring St when complete freeing up that underutilized plot of land as well

Equally as important quote: Commission Chair Michael Fitzpatrick had stressed the importance of creating more of a buffer between the apartments and the Abbott property, telling Sobszak, “you’re on the one-inch goal line, you’re not far from getting this thing over the top…you just need to take [our suggestions] all under consideration, and don’t just stop short.” Abbott’s representatives at the meeting did not seem as interested in discussing screening and noise-reduction strategies as the commissioners were, instead arguing that any residential use would likely be incompatible with their operations. Abbott won't accept it either way and appears ready to fight to the death over it.

The wall on the rear of AEP is there on purpose so a future tower that mirrors the first half would go there with elevators still being at the core. It would make it almost a figure 8 like shape.

Oh. Not much of a fan of that deck. And it says a restaurant will be on the first floor but that first floor looks more like the deck than a restaurant space. I honestly hope there is pushback on that. Not a great look for high street. Especially with access to a big deck directly behind that is underutilized outside business hours. Otherwise it seems fine.

Couldn't snag a pic but the cladding is going on in the portion closest to the sky bridge along high street. Maybe just a test area but it is up.

I miss the Beetlejuice look from the original. And I would seriously contribute to a permanent installation of the cows grazing on the Scioto. It would require some serious engineering to withstand flood conditions but they are among of my favorite art installations of years gone by.

'Activation'..... Meh. I prefer my wacky wavy inflatable tube man idea. ;-)

That's why they brought in Barrio. So Cleveland folks can come and not be dared to touch a Columbus food institution. /s

Federal Flood Map for reference.

Yup. Still not convinced. I still see a suburban complex trying too hard. See newer Hayden Lofts, or older Northland, etc etc for long buildings, almost monolithic walls of balconies, little architectural variance, Green space etc We typically don't applaud these places for having lawns so it's not pertinent here IMO. You could put it on 23 of farmland in Dublin and you wouldn't know the difference. I almost get a bit of Pruitt Igoe out of it as well. For reference. Each platform is approx 500 ft long. A city block in Columbus is about 400ft. So these platforms are another 100 ft longer than the southern High Point building or the Edwards long/spring project. I'm not sure the turns the buildings take are enough to break it up. The buildings in later phases seem to be smaller so maybe thats better. And they won't have the same benefit that long buildings in Grandview Yard etc might have in reducing the line of sight by simply being on standard grid streets. The big difference is they are taking advantage of parking under in order to reduce exposure from building in a designated flood zone. I also hesitate to call it mixed used. With 1000 units and less than 9,000 sf of retail, that's enough room for a restaurant maybe 2? A couple small shops at best but most likely a small office component. I wonder how much of that retail is allocated for leasing etc. The locations and renderings show lobbies on the ground but they don't seem to do much. In reality, you're looking at about 1200 ft of walking along screened parking garage with the occasional lobby and green space. That's equivalent of walking from Long Street to City hall and it will be similar to Front street in that you're basically staring at parking garages and entrances. We know how much we rag on Front Street. To me it's throwing residential for the sake of throwing residential with a somewhat flashy design. It is isolated from any reasonable access to transit. I think the location and design lend itself to acting as a suburban, car focused complex more than anything or adding much vibrancy to the urban core. They are perhaps being creative for design in making the most bang for their buck. Massive 5 over 1, but otherwise, I think the general creativity for the use of such a prime location is lacking. I'd be totally fine if this was scrapped and we waited for something better. In reality, everything from the railroad tracks west could be scrapped and restored to be more parkland and I'd be fine. I'm not really itching for this to be developed to add vibrancy to the city so if something is going to be developed, I'd prefer something a bit better and more complete. Perhaps with a little more retail/boardwalk. Just something better. Even adding a tower in the green space doesn't do much for me on this one. I'm not normally a Debbie downer but I think this isn't quite ready.