Idea 13:  Trolleys on Broad and High!  I would rank that far above any bus system improvements.  These other ideas are nice, especially major development around COSI, but other than that I really think a trolley system could outdo all of them combined.

Can't argue with the importance of a streetcar/light rail system (i.e. trolleys).  However, this is an existing idea that has been in circulation for some time.  You can check the status of that idea at the Columbus: Streetcar / Light Rail News thread.  So I think the 2010 Downtown Plan group is assuming the funding/implementation of a streetcar/light rail system as proceeding independently to these dozen development concepts.

 

Just look at Idea #5: Restore High Street as Downtown's Commercial Corridor.  The rendering for the concept shows a streetcar going down the middle of High Street. 

I know there's been considerable discussion, which is why I'm surprised it didn't make it into these ideas.  But if they're assuming it's a done deal... that sounds like good news.

I'd prefer to use the term "proceeding independently" rather than "assuming it's a done deal" for streetcars.  But for the purposes of this study, it looks like they are assuming that some of the well known transportation projects would proceed at some time in the future (i.e. downtown streetcars, 3-C passenger rail and the I-70/71 Split).  And then, with that assumption, they focus on downtown development projects. 

Council to get 'big and bold' Downtown plan

But what would 12 ideas for rebuilding cost?

Wednesday,  May 26, 2010

By Robert Vitale, The Columbus Dispatch

 

A dream-big Downtown plan that would remake Broad and High streets and change the course of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers will go before the Columbus City Council by late July.  The plan already has been endorsed by the Columbus Downtown Development Corp., the private, nonprofit agency created by city government in 2002 to oversee the last Downtown plan.  It will go before the Downtown Commission in June and then to the City Council for final approval.

 

"These 12 ideas are designed to inspire Columbus to think big," said Councilman Andrew J. Ginther, who chairs the council's economic-development committee.  Mayor Michael B. Coleman called the plan "big and bold" and added: "We shouldn't be afraid of big and bold."  But he also said the same thing that's bound to be on the minds of Columbus taxpayers. "It looks expensive."

 

Keith Myers, whose MSI Design firm was hired by the Downtown development agency to write the new plan, said the suggestions for Broad Street, High Street and the rivers generated the biggest amount of more than 1,100 comments submitted during four months of public dialogue. 

 

Full article: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/05/26/copy/council-to-get-big-and-bold-downtown-plan.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

A fundamental oversight is the fact that two-way conversions are not included. Despite the fact that MSI pointed out how Gay St used to be as dead as the other one-way retail streets Downtown and how great it is today thanks to the conversion and calming, there was no word on converting other similar streets two-way like neighboring Long St which has over 50% retail space vacancy.

 

If the city hired me we would have a two-way stretch on every downtown street where possible. As far as our streets go the plan only focuses on Broad and High while businesses on other retail streets are now struggling or closing their doors all while downtown leaders talk about how much they want local businesses here. Funny that in all the time I've spent my money at local downtown businesses that I don't see them, except for the mayor. It's too bad that the city hires a retail consultant in an effort to appear to be concerned about downtown retailers and increase their number, but they won't address the main obstacle facing retail downtown: visitor-unfriendly one-ways. The fact that the city has chosen not to address this makes it crystal clear that rush-hour traffic is their #1 concern.

 

We can also see this on the Cap which still has a no-parking policy for meters during rush hour, which is why the Cup O Joe/MoJoe Lounge employee always makes the rounds asking if anyone there is parked at the meters. It should not be his job to baby-sit motorists who will associate their bad experience with the business all thanks to the city leadership's pro-rush hour policy which cares oh so much about downtown businesses like this.

What's next for Downtown

Bike station, footbridge to Vets Memorial likely to emerge first from new plan

Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 2:59 AM

By Robert Vitale, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

There are no prices attached yet to the 12 ideas packed into Columbus' proposed new Downtown plan.  And there really aren't plans in the plan, either, its author insists.  "Ideas are not proposals," said Keith Myers of MSI Design, the company hired to shape the document that will guide Downtown development efforts for the next 10 years.

 

The new plan comes with no firm timetables, either, but that hasn't stopped city leaders and Downtown development officials from creating their own lists of priorities.  The plan won't be official until it's approved by the Downtown Commission, which will consider it in June, and then the City Council.

 

Based on interviews with Mayor Michael B. Coleman and a half-dozen others - people who helped shape the plan or who will help make its ideas a reality - here's a possible ranking of items on the emerging to-do list:

 

LOCATION MAP FOR THE 12 IDEAS

 

Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/insight/stories/2010/05/30/whats-next.html

We did one more interview last week (with City Councilmember Andrew Ginther) on the 2010 Downtown Plan:

 

<A href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/2010-downtown-strategic-plan-unveiled-tonight">2010 Downtown Strategic Plan Unveiled Tonight</a>

 

 

From MSI Design blog:

 

2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan Approved by Downtown Commission

 

The Downtown Commission unanimously approved the 2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan today (June 22).  Over the past several months, MSI has worked with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and the City of Columbus to create a new, comprehensive plan for Downtown Columbus.  Four public meetings, more than 50 stakeholder interviews, and 1,100 public comments helped shape the 10 Principles, 12 Ideas and 8 Strategies that provide the framework and inspiration for the continued revitalization of Downtown Columbus.

 

The Strategic Plan now moves forward to the City Council for their review.

 

MORE: http://msidesign.com/blog/index.php/2010-downtown-columbus-strategic-plan-approved-by-downtown-commission

 

CITY COUNCIL HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN

 

WHO:

Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther

Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson

Columbus Department of Development

 

WHEN:

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

5:30 PM

 

WHERE:

City Council Chambers

City Hall

90 West Broad Street

 

WHAT:

Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Chair of the Finance & Economic Development Committee and Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, Chair of the Development Committee will conduct a joint public hearing to discuss the proposed Downtown Strategic Plan as endorsed by the Columbus Downtown Commission.

 

MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/city-council-public-hearing-on-downtown-strategic-plan-713

The Dispatch recently had an article about the progress on the 12 ideas published as part of the 2010 Downtown Plan at http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/09/02/downtown-upturn.html.  In 2010, the city adopted the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan that outlined a vision for Downtown through this decade and beyond that built on previous plans.  The plan listed 12 ideas city leaders should pursue.  Here is the list and the status of each:

 

Discovery District

 

1: Southeast Gateway Opportunity: The Discovery District Special Improvement District created a plan with guidelines to redevelop the southeastern section of Downtown as Mound and Fulton streets are reintegrated into the Downtown street system with the I-70/I-71 project.

 

2. Infill housing around the Old Deaf School Park: Nothing yet.

 

3. Creative campus: Plans are underway for street and other improvements near Columbus College of Art & Design and Columbus Museum of Art.  New wing for the Columbus Museum of Art under construction.

 

High Street Core

 

4. Redefine Broad Street: Plans call for narrowing Broad Street with more trees and landscaping.

 

5. Restore High Street: 300 units of apartments are under construction on S. High Street, 262 additional units have been approved for S. High Street but not yet begun construction; officials are still working to attract more development to N. High Street.

 

6. Develop a Downtown transit center: No plans.

 

7. 3-C multimodal station for trains, light rail: No plans.

 

8. Develop a Downtown bike station: No central station, but bike shelters and lockers have been built.  Downtown bike-sharing system started this year.

 

9. Develop a Downtown field house: Conceptual plans for a 120,000-square-foot building near the Greater Columbus Convention Center have been done.

 

Riverfront

 

10: Pedestrian bridge across the Scioto River: Delayed while plan is completed for Scioto Peninsula.

 

11. Development of the Scioto Peninsula: Plans announced in August for a new Franklin County Veterans Memorial, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium exhibit and housing.

 

12. Scioto-Olentangy Greenway Corridor: Fifth Avenue Dam removed on Olentangy River last year.  Plans approved last week for removal of Main Street Dam on the Scioto River and the $33 million Scioto Greenway along the river.