DTCL11

And now my imagination has been triggered where it could easily be incorporated to the back 1/3 with a section that can tie visually between Main Bar and the Julian and the front 2/3rd is literally anything. And that breaks it up visually as well instead of another monolithic structure on a corner where there is 250. The Courthouse, the Parking Deck, and even to some respect the Julian and Southern. It's a sea of buildings a half to a full block long with little to break it up. At least the southern has bump outs and set backs etc. . But again, we are looking for easy. Who knows. Maybe Schiff will surprise and I'll feel less badly. But show us the plans first.

But how many buildings look like Main Bar? How many are stand alone or near standalone? Where do we draw a line for size of an old building before declaring isn't condemned? When have we continued to go too far in the 'does it provide historical value' before its too late. If that is the standard, that it's relatively plain, we can keep bulldozing entire sections of the city. That's how entire sections of the city were wiped out to begin with for parking lots and highways. We are missing a third of German Village because it was deemed commendable and boring at one time. In fact, this may have been part of the German Settlement of the South side. I'd have to do more research to determine historical boundaries but it would be close. St John's just close by was. Why go through the effort of the Madison complex if only one of the buildings has any architectural flare? What we are headed to is a self fulfilling prophecy. A bland new city with a lack of visual and historical interest compared our in state counterparts. I wasn't even thinking about campus. As much as I approve of the new development, there were a few buildings that should have been preserved and incorporated too. In a city (Vancouver) where they were in the practice of literally moving the heritage homes to make room for development, this developer wanted to make sure that the history of the site was maintained in some way so people could realize what was once there. A neighborhood. So they got creative. It's actually similar to what I hoped would happen to the service station at king and high. And those developers ever tried a decent amount of preservation in some versions. I'll stand by this again. Is it a crime? Nah. Is it a shame? Yeah. But the absolute biggest issue is approving demolition without an approved plan. And I'd fight for that being the minimum standard all day long. And I'll put my money on something bland replacing it with little in the way of architectural flair. It could even be the pedestrian entrance to the parking deck or something for all it matters. It's just a total lack of imagination to want to clear it out before council has seen any plans. I think in this case, the ask would be a bare minimum. And I understand facade preservation is different than historic preservation. But both have their places and purposes. I wish there was something more than a 'contributing' standard for Columbus when it comes to fighting to save something. I wish the city could specify a developer present plans that include facades or they must prove they are unusable and the standard should be high.

Maybe the 1990s with the State Penitentiary? The bank was on the Columbus 2017 endangered landmarks list. 9. Ohio National Bank (1914) 167 S. High Street, Columbus, Ohio …finest examples of neo-classical architecture Owner: The Plaza LLC One of the finest examples of neo-classical architecture in downtown Columbus, the original home of Ohio National Bank (c 1914) stands at High and Town streets – a testament to a time when financial institutions first began to prosper along High Street. While this stretch of High Street has retained its importance in the financial services industry, Ohio National Bank was acquired by National City Corporation and this branch was closed in 1999. Still listed in good condition by the auditor, the building has an even more impressive interior. Inside this gem, a breathtaking marble-enshrined banking lobby displays the quality craftsmanship of its era, conjuring an image of the lives and dollars that flowed through this building way back when. Just off to the side of the remarkable banking lobby is an impressive vault. Despite signage indicating its availability for lease, the Ohio National Bank building has been vacant for almost 20 years and is showing signs of deterioration and water damage. As downtown Columbus continues its remarkable resurrection as a mixed-use urban core, this property and other low-rise historic adjacent properties are threatened with development of larger buildings with broader footplates and streamlined (lesser) architectural detail. However, despite the importance of encouraging further infill of downtown’s southern flank, it is even more important to retain this magnificent architectural jewel. Doing so will anchor the future of downtown with its rich and storied past. This building speaks to you. Main Bar was on the 2015 list. From Columbus Landmarks. The Main Bar Year Built: 1890 Address: 16 West Main Columbus, OH 43215 Style/Significance: The Main Bar is the last surviving late 19th century commercial structure on West Main between S. High and Wall Street. Originally flanked by two similar structures, the building has been used as both a residential and commercial structure, but was listed as the “Hare and Corbin” saloon in 1890. The building has an uncertain future due to a disputed 1836 lease and potential future development on the site.

There's no way demolition should be approved without an approved replacement. And to be quite honest, there is no way that they can't incorporate this in some way or another. It's just lack of creativity. And I'm pretty certain it wouldn't be cost prohibitive. I get that not everything should be preserved but we really are so terrible at keeping very much prewar in the face of new decelopelment. Let alone pre 1900. And we often say 'it's alone' or 'the new project will be better' or 'it's just a bland brick facade' but really, that's most of pre-war buildings. So we really need to decide as a city when and where we draw lines and stop doing a piecemeal approach. If we keep approving demolition in all these spots on an individual basis, more and more will be gone before we know it. That's how we got to where we are and how it gets worse from here. Here's a creative idea: keep everything from the base of the front slope and then use that as the main entrance to a new restaurant establishment. Maybe call it The Main Bar? Just Spitballing really outlandish ideas here. *eye roll* but seriously. It really isn't that hard. And you can mix modern and vintage all day and it just adds to the character of a building. Would tearing it down to build a copy paste NBBJ style building be criminal, not quite. But it would be pretty darn lazy. We have some great examples but not enough developers are willing to follow that lead. And while we are on a similar topic, how has no one taken up the bank across from the commons? I swear, if any developer proposed to tear it down, THAT would be criminal.

I like how the 5th Ave building quasi hides the garage. Not perfect but certainly better than many projects. I wonder of the garage will have enough spaces to allow for redevelopment of the strip mall as well in the future.

I appreciate the expanse of Grant Park but their apartments look so terrible. Want the aesthetic of a 1990s-2000s 270 apartment with the convenience of access to all the hottest neighborhoods in town?! Try Grant Park! And the fact that this was what was permitted to face 5th Ave is an atrocity. A little bit of commercial at the main entrance might have gone a long way.

The only way I would support Morse-Bethel at this time is if it was a part of a major mass transit plan. But an auto only connector, I'd rather pass on that and just let the cars deal with Henderson bypass.

It's been mentioned before in other spaces but one of the untapped potentials for Columbus, or many cities for that matter, is parking decks. There are prototypes and examples of adding vertical and hydroponic farming as an additional level to a parking decks. It also creates an additional level of covered parking for whatever that is worth in the grand scheme of things. If there was a concerted effort to do this to the parking decks in the Arena District and along Front Street, the impacts and example that could set would be significant. It's a super ambitious idea that seems more utopian right now. And I don't see Columbus or anyone investing in anytime soon if ever but, fun to think about. Would be even more fun if Columbus was the one to set that example.

It's a little difficult to capture but the buildings presense is making itself known as you travel south over the 3rd Street viaduct.

The whole cap needs to be redone on the pedestrian side off high. It is falling apart. It is an eye sore. And a safety Hazard.

But that goes to my point. Other than a handful of these places, they are aging and will start to get sold off. So push now for strong mixed use and in the future you'll have a better hub. Re-envision Graceland at large not as a truly suburban set up to be accepted as is but more as the potential to cross between a Bridge Park and an Easton. The so called 'lifestyle center'. And the Clintonville Commununity Plan calls for that. (But again, it also calls for mixed use with residential above at North Broadway and High but they fight that even though they went through all the trouble of creating a community plan). We've talked before about nodes on a BRT. That's a perfect node to plan for. And can ultimately bring more variety of retail and restaurant some day. (Purple is mixed use in the CCP)

I've eaten a ton of chick-fil-a.... and I've waited in double drive thru lines... in the south... with over 30 cars... where the drive thru lines have permanent structures with heaters and fans for the employees... This would be closer for me than others... but I'd rather have something this part of town doest have within a 10ish minute drive. And as a NEOhian, I'm tired of going outside 270 to get my Swensons fix. Time to put one in the loop lol. (None of those are what should really go there... but... Clintonville) 100% save the sign.

Disappointing but expected update.... It wants to be a Chick-Fil-A... if it was going to be low density crap, I would have preferred a Swensons.... or even a sheetz.... Maybe CAC will fight to have it higher density to match the plan? But they didn't for North Broadway and High and allowed a normal bank despite the community plan saying it should be otherwise. https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/business/2021/02/05/tee-jayes-clintonville-targeted-chick-fil/4406299001/

Plans moving forward for a live entertainment venue at the site of the old "church." The owners of Evolved bought the building awhile back and tore down the original theater. Also noticed that they bought the corner lot last year and changed the property to be part of the LLC. My assumption is it will remain parking. The site is an old service station and would require environmental mitigation. This will add to the already hefty number of live music venues across Old North. I've often believed that is a strong part of Old North's identity and should be built upon as it develops. "The space was built for entertaining. Although it was a church for a while, it was originally a theater, Miller said. Though the back half of the building no longer exists, the remaining portion housed the lobby. Miller said he plans to build an addition on the back of the building, to provide enough room on the first floor for it to operate as a bar. The second floor, which has a capacity of around 150 people, will be dedicated to entertainment. The addition will have a rooftop patio, which will be accessible from the second-floor event space. The rooftop patio will look out onto the backyard, which will have a bocce court, a fire pit, and lots of plants. “I want it to feel very cozy and beer-gardeny,” Miller said." https://614now.com/2021/culture/entertainment-venue-planned-for-old-north-site

TeeJays will close as the owner of the land has decided to sell. The trust has 2 plots taking up a good chunk of land. Clintonville Community Plan has the location as mixed use appropriate with roughly 30 units per acre. I still think that will be a fight knowing Clintonville but another step in making Graceland a better, more urban hub on the High Street Corridor. That whole set of shops and lots could use a great master plan. https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/business/2021/02/04/clintonville-tee-jayes-24-hour-breakfast-diner-morse-and-high-closing/4389174001/

Interesting. Franklin County Auditor website says 'no parcel record found or access is denied.' For those plots. But all the other ones show up like normal. I was trying to determine who is selling the land. The actual proposal was put forth by a company that had not acquired the land yet if I remember correctly. (Much like the gold towers in the arena district). And I dont recall if this is the way it was before but it almost seems like there was realigning of the parcels for a road. That might be why they are unavailable. The railroad tracks adjacent are available either but the other parcels are. Seems like something is moving along but not sure what. From BizFirst in 2019 "But substantial engineering and other development hurdles lie ahead – the land has for decades been owned by CSX Transportation Inc. and is sandwiched between the Scioto Audubon Metro Park and rail lines that run nearby... The developer is also working with local real estate firm Smith & Hale LLC as it works through the project's plans."

the AEP building has provided some pretty great views over the years. Shame there doesn't appear to be an insider there to grab some more perspectives. I imagine there's some great shots of the crew stadium, north bank, etc as well.

And from what I can tell, the single family homes being built there are alot of YPs who aren't really they type for kids or empy nesters downsizing from the suburbs. Several have actually been sold to Nationwide execs who don't want to commute anymore (pre-pandemic)

The city kicked it back and sided with the area associations. https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/news/local/2021/01/22/pizzutis-german-village-apartments-plans-change/4209737001/ They also formally requested a shadow study which is the biggest freaking farce. The city appears to agree It should be in line with the single family homes and reduced density. I think Pizzutti hurt themselves by not going with a stunning design that breaks up the massing better off the get go. If they had presented something less monolithic I think the city might have given more leeway and considered the neighbor concerns a bit less. I'm not mad that it is going back to the drawing board for design. I will be upset if it gets drastically scaled down.

Looks like we might also see movement on residential again as well. "Toward that end, foundation work has been completed for a seven-story apartment building on Easton's north end which will see additional work this year."

I'll never understand the lamenting of 'another brick box'. When done right, I'll take 100 well done brick boxes over just one Uncommon building any day. These will look timeless for many many years to come. There is a time and place for good modern architecture and they could have done that here and it would have been great but it had to be iconic modern and not copy paste modern that might not withstand the test of time. And for the investment, the brick box was the safer option. Re: cranes. The previous record that I can remember was 17 tower cranes I believe. This was at the peak of Short North expansion, North Campus residential, etc circa 2014/15/16 (?) Wonder if we can see that record break this year.

Chuck E Cheese. I would guess it may be an out of town operator if he is implying Columbus Community at large. I cant quite think of one that exists locally that would 'Thrill' the Short North community specifically. It will be interesting to see what comes about in 2021... far too many for lease signs in the Short North right now. I can't recall a time in my 10 years here to see so many empty storefronts and restaurants.

Wonder what the record is for longest project right now? This might be the winner. Parkside on Pearl was originally introduced in March of 2013. Any other projects that are still on the drawing board since then or earlier? No criticism. Kudos to sticking it out and waiting for the right time. Given all that has gone up the approval made much more sense now than 8 years ago when it would have been the standout instead of blending in which scared more people.

I concur. It popped up out of nowhere. But if I remember correctly, the foundation was laid for most of the buildings last summer so if it is a matter of putting up steel, we might see things move fast for additional buildings. My recollection is they dug and poured foundations for the whole block at one time.