March 15, 200916 yr Some new photos I took of Beck Place: http://beckplacecondos.com/ <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/beckplace1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/beckplace2.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/beckplace3.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/beckplace4.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/beckplace5.jpg">
March 15, 200916 yr Some new photos I took of Beck Place: http://beckplacecondos.com/ Great photos! Looks like its almost done.
March 15, 200916 yr OKTOBERFEST Festival weighing a return to its roots Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 3:27 AM By Sherri Williams THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH After years of chicken-dancing around the city, Oktoberfest could be coming home to German Village. Other locations that have hosted the festival already are booked in October, so the German Village Society is considering its own neighborhood, said Erin O'Donnell, executive director. "So many people have been saying for years that they'd want to see it return to German Village," she said. "It just makes sense to have it in German Village." The society's first choice is to have the Oct. 2-4 festival on 3rd Street from Beck to Frankfort streets, O'Donnell said. Schiller Park is the alternate location. The society must first have 80 percent of the property owners living along the proposed site, either 3rd Street or around Schiller Park, sign a petition agreeing to the street closures for those days. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/12/OKTOBERVILLAGE.ART_ART_03-12-09_B1_2QD6VLN.html?sid=101
March 22, 200916 yr New on the block: Beck Place Condominiums Sunday, March 22, 2009 By Tim Feran, The Columbus Dispatch Beck Place, between Grant Avenue and Jaeger Street, is the first new residential project of its size in decades in German Village. Part of the project includes the site of a century-old bakery warehouse. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/home_garden/stories/2009/03/22/6_DEVEL22_ART_03-22-09_H1_J8D93E8.html?sid=101
April 6, 200916 yr Oktoberfest: S. 3rd St. location opposed by some Thursday, April 2, 2009 By Mark Ferenchik, The Columbus Dispatch The pressure is on the German Village Society to convince 40 property owners that S. 3rd Street would be a good location for Oktoberfest this year. "Your approval is absolutely essential; we, literally, cannot hold the event without your approval," event chairman and society trustee Bill Curlis wrote in a letter to property owners. Right now, there is no Plan B, said Erin O'Donnell, the society's executive director, although she would not say it's either S. 3rd Street or no Oktoberfest. Schiller Park is no longer considered a fallback location. The society wants to hold the Oct. 2-4 festival by closing 3rd to traffic from Beck to Frankfort streets. The street would be closed beginning at 8 a.m. Oct. 1. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/04/02/OKFEST.ART_ART_04-02-09_B1_2QDEC74.html?sid=101
April 6, 200916 yr German Village Society seeks ideas for South Third Street's future Wednesday, April 1, 2009 By DAVID J. CROSS, ThisWeek Staff Writer The German Village Society's streetscape committee wants to know what residents envision for the future of South Third Street. "The streetscape and the view of our homes and the street and sidewalks and trees are quintessential to the vision of German Village, and that being to maintain the vibrancy of an historic downtown neighborhood," said Brian Santin, chair of the committee. The committee will hold a meeting 7 p.m. April 13 at the society Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St., to discuss a survey members want to compile as part of a $250,000 project to design a master plan for the thoroughfare. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2009/04/01/0401gegvs_ln.html?sid=104
April 24, 200916 yr Society explains Oktoberfest move, residents offer concerns Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - 4:28 PM By David J. Cross, ThisWeek Staff Writer The German Village Society on April 21 explained the need to move its annual Oktoberfest onto South Third Street, while a standing-room-only crowd appeared split on the move. More than 30 people attended the meeting, which was promoted as a way for area residents to ask questions about the nonprofit's plan. Earlier this year, the society announced it wanted to bring Oktoberfest to the village and hold it on South Third Street between Beck and Frankfort streets. This would entail closing the street and portions of the side streets for four days. In order to bring the event to German Village, the society needs permission from 80 percent of the property owners who would be affected by the street closure. The society previously indicated that 50 properties have been identified and that 40 signatures are required for the closure. The society has received about 20 signatures in support of the event. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2009/04/22/oktoberfest.html?sid=104
May 7, 200916 yr OKTOBERFEST Time running short to collect street-closure signatures Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - 1:40 PM By DAVID J. CROSS, ThisWeek Staff Writer The German Village Society is closing in on the number of petition signatures it needs to bring its annual Oktoberfest to the area. But time is short, one board member said. At a meeting earlier this week, the GVS board approved pushing back the deadline to collect petition signatures. Plans initially called for all signatures of abutting property owners to be gathered by the May 4 meeting. The deadline has been changed to May 14 or earlier. The society plans to bring its annual fundraiser to German Village. It wants to hold the event on South Third Street between Frankfort and Beck streets. To do this, the society intends to close the streets for up to four days and is required by the city to receive permission by 80 percent of the affected property owners to do so. By the numbers, the society sent out 50 letters to property owners and will need 40 signatures in order to close the streets. Bill Curlis, a trustee and chair of Oktoberfest, said the society has received 27 signatures and indications that five other property owners have agreed to sign the petition. This brings the number of signatures to 32. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2009/05/06/0507geocktoberfest_ln.html?sid=104
May 7, 200916 yr Guest column Cast in brass: History of plaque reveals a slice of village history Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - 1:18 PM By Christine Seitzinger, This Week News Several weeks ago, I happened to purchase a brass plaque from Jim Langley, the owner of German Village Antiques. It displayed the German Coat of Arms and was inscribed with the words "German Village Society." In the same week, as I stopped by the German Village Meeting Haus to renew my membership, I noticed the same plaque in the office. I mentioned to Jody Graichen, the director of historic preservation at the German Village Society, that I had acquired a similar plaque. She suggested I do some research on the history of the plaque and submit my findings to ThisWeek. What follows is the information I found as I did some detective work. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2009/04/29/0430gecrestgraichen_ln.html?sid=104
May 7, 200916 yr Oktoberfest NEEDS to be in German Village. I hope they pull it off. I agree 110%. Went to Oktoberfest once and it was in some parking lot... very depressing. Never went back. Now, if they had it in beautiful GV, that would have probably won me back over for a return visit. The GV homeowners need to take one for the team and suffer for one weekend to make the city better as a whole. Victorian Village has Comfest, German Village can have Oktoberfest. Even.
May 26, 200916 yr OKTOBERFEST City to review permit for event street closures Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 3:51 PM By David J. Cross, ThisWeek Staff Writer The German Village Society has gathered enough signatures to bring its annual Oktoberfest to the area, and now plans to hold the event on a smaller footprint. Jody Graichen, operations coordinator for Oktoberfest, said the nonprofit expects to hold it on South Third Street between Willow Street and the southern portion of Sycamore Street. The announced change essentially cuts the event's footprint in half, Graichen said. Initial plans called for holding the event on South Third Street between Beck and Frankfort streets. "Basically, what we did was take residents comments into consideration and tried to make it work," Graichen said. A key element to bring the event to German Village was a street closure permit. In order to close a street, 80 percent of the affected property owners needed to sign a petition. Under the original plans the society needed the signatures of 40 property owners. It sent out letters to 50 property owners in the area seeking to close South Third Street and some side streets for four days. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2009/05/20/0521geclosures_ln.html?sid=104
May 26, 200916 yr Oktoberfest NEEDS to be in German Village. I hope they pull it off. I agree 110%. Went to Oktoberfest once and it was in some parking lot... very depressing. Never went back. Now, if they had it in beautiful GV, that would have probably won me back over for a return visit. The GV homeowners need to take one for the team and suffer for one weekend to make the city better as a whole. Victorian Village has Comfest, German Village can have Oktoberfest. Even. They should have events at Schiller Park, if they don't already. I've only been to October Fest in GV once and I was really little so I barely remember it. It would be nice if they at least decentralized the events/games to where some stuff is in the interesting part of GV.
June 10, 200916 yr German Village Commission recommends Snap Fitness Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - 4:49 AM By DAVID J. CROSS, ThisWeek Staff Writer The German Village Commission recommended last week that two variances for a new fitness facility go before City Council for review. German Village resident Eric Ferch, along with three partners, wants to open Snap Fitness, which has more than 750 locations nationwide, in the vacant building at 866 S. Third St. http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2008/11/04/1106dugvc_ln.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=104&title=German+Village+Commission+recommends+Snap+Fitness From an article on Monday's City Council meeting "Council accepts stimulus money": "In other business, the council voted 7-0 to approve a zoning variance for a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week fitness club at 866 S. 3rd St. in German Village. Council members approved the Snap Fitness club despite opposition from neighbors who fear the club will bring noise and traffic."
June 10, 200916 yr "In other business, the council voted 7-0 to approve a zoning variance for a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week fitness club at 866 S. 3rd St. in German Village. Council members approved the Snap Fitness club despite opposition from neighbors who fear the club will bring noise and traffic." That's one variance I would be in favor of. I'd kill to have a 24/7 gym a few blocks away. I love shopping at Kroger at 2am. I bet a gym at 2am is completely empty meaning you don't have to wait to use machines or weights.
June 18, 200915 yr 50th German Village Society Haus und Garten Tour Tour highlights '50 Years of Inspired Living' By Garth Bishop, Columbus Local News Wednesday, June 17, 2009 6:09 PM EDT All corners of German Village and all manner of home and garden decor will be on display when the neighborhood's 50th annual Haus und Garten Tour kicks off this year. The tour will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 28. Nine homes and four gardens will be available for residents and visitors alike to admire. "It's a very special time for the village," said tour Chairman Norm Hall. This year's theme is "50 Years of Inspired Living," and the inspiration that has struck neighborhood residents is on full display, Hall said. "It's not your average, run-of-the-mill homes," Hall said. "They are all their own forms of inspired living, and that's what the tour has always been about." Tickets Tickets purchased in advance of the tour are $15 each and can be obtained by calling by calling 614-221-8888; or by visiting the German Village Society Web site at www.germanvillage.com. They can be purchased at a discounted rate of $12 at Kroger Co. stores if the customer presents a Kroger Plus card. Tickets are $20 the day of the tour and can be obtained at the German Village Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third Street. Read more at http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2009/06/17/german_village_gazette/news/gvhausundg_20090617_0306pm_1.txt
August 7, 200915 yr Constitution for GVS could see changes Wednesday, August 5, 2009 - 1:45 PM By David J. Cross, ThisWeek Staff Writer A group of German Village Society members has organized a special membership meeting later this month to vote on changes to the nonprofit's constitution. The meeting will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third Street. Among the changes expected to be voted on are board term limits, a reduction in the size of the board, providing an avenue for society members to remove a trustee from the nonprofit's leadership and the appointment of a non-voting, long-term resident to the board. "The reason we started this is because we don't like negative stories about dysfunction on the board," said Mike Yarbrough, a spokesman for the group. In recent weeks, the society's leadership has had to deal with the departure of the organization's executive director and full-time director of historic preservation. In addition, there was the cancellation of its annual Oktoberfest and the decision to seek a mediator to help with group dynamics. Last month, society member David Schooler called for the ouster of all long-term board members because of seven years of failed budgets. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2009/08/05/0806gegvs_ln.html?sid=104
August 7, 200915 yr Streetscape of South Third Street study called into question Wednesday, August 5, 2009 - 1:46 PM By David J. Cross, ThisWeek Staff Writer The German Village Society last week began lobbying the city of Columbus to study the streetscape of South Third Street after what is being characterized as a misunderstanding between local residents and city officials. Brian Santin, chair of the society's streetscape committee, said the city is currently in the second phase of a four-phase project studying South Third Street, but there are no plans to look at the street itself and utilities below. Santin said he believed researching the street was part of the initial scope of the project, but the city does not agree. "I don't want this to come off as us versus them," Santin said. "This is simply a misunderstanding of where this project should go. I'm taking it from the approach that they are not against addressing the street; they are just not aware that it is part of the plan." Officials were not available at press time to clarify why the city did not want to include the street and utilities. Read more at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2009/08/05/0806gestreetscape_ln.html?sid=104
November 11, 200915 yr AIA Columbus 2009 Design Awards Each year, the Columbus Chapter of the American Institute of Architects recognizes outstanding design capabilities of local architects with their annual design awards program. The Pistacia Vera renovation received a merit award. Architect: Jonathan Barnes Architecture & Design Project: Pistacia Vera Owner: Pistacia Vera Project Description: A 120-year-old German Village house required significant and complex interior and exterior modifications to make a home for a new artisan pastry kitchen with retail space. The historic shell of the building was restored while the interior structure was largely rebuilt to include the removal of much of the second floor to create an open two-story space and mezzanine floor for an office. Ebonized wood and Carrera marble surfaces comprise the display cases. The double-height back wall is finished with a high-gloss Venetian plaster. The renovation strikes a balance between the historic and the new, maintaining the patina of the original building and creating a modern, minimalist and clean interior. From http://www.aiacolumbus.org/component/content/article/113-designawards
November 12, 200915 yr Ahhh German Village...we used to live on Sycamore and Sixth... My guess this is the old Thurn's Bakery? Rooster's is still there as far as I know.
November 12, 200915 yr its a nice job. was that roosters? what used to be in there? Rooster's is still open and is on a different street. I forgot what used to be there but it's near Book Loft/G. Michael's. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 14, 200915 yr ChiCleveKid is correct... it used to be Thurn's Bakery. Rooster's is at the corner of City Park & Whittier.
February 11, 201015 yr GERMAN VILLAGE Third Street master plan taking shape Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 12:17 PM By Gary Seman Jr., ThisWeek Staff Writer The future look of Third Street is still fuzzy, but the picture is getting clearer. German Village leaders, city officials and architects met last week to firm up details of the streetscape master plan, now entering its final design stages. At an open house on Jan. 27, residents got another look at the beautification efforts of the neighborhood's most recognizable corridor, a three-quarter-mile stretch of roadway extending from Livingston Avenue to Schiller Park. Planners are trying to improve the area while maintaining its historic character and functionality. One key problem that needs to be addressed is the sidewalks, which are crumbling and uneven, said architect Brian Kinzelman of Kinzelman Kline Gossman, the architectural firm the city is paying $180,000 to complete the plan and implement it. The master plan also addresses the improvement of Third Street and making it more pedestrian-friendly. Planners suggested making the roadway all brick or a combination of brick lanes and asphalt in the center. They also discussed curb extensions, where a portion of the sidewalks encroaches on the street, slowing traffic and shortening the crossing distance for pedestrians. Full article at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2010/02/03/0204gemaster-plan_ln.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=104&title=Third+Street+master+plan+taking+shape
February 11, 201015 yr Here is a rendering from the Kinzelman Kline Gossman architectural firm showing Third Street at Livingston Avenue if the streetscape master plan from the article below is implemented. GERMAN VILLAGE Third Street master plan taking shape Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - 12:17 PM By Gary Seman Jr., ThisWeek Staff Writer The future look of Third Street is still fuzzy, but the picture is getting clearer. German Village leaders, city officials and architects met last week to firm up details of the streetscape master plan, now entering its final design stages. At an open house on Jan. 27, residents got another look at the beautification efforts of the neighborhood's most recognizable corridor, a three-quarter-mile stretch of roadway extending from Livingston Avenue to Schiller Park. Planners are trying to improve the area while maintaining its historic character and functionality. One key problem that needs to be addressed is the sidewalks, which are crumbling and uneven, said architect Brian Kinzelman of Kinzelman Kline Gossman, the architectural firm the city is paying $180,000 to complete the plan and implement it. The master plan also addresses the improvement of Third Street and making it more pedestrian-friendly. Planners suggested making the roadway all brick or a combination of brick lanes and asphalt in the center. They also discussed curb extensions, where a portion of the sidewalks encroaches on the street, slowing traffic and shortening the crossing distance for pedestrians. Full article at http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2010/02/03/0204gemaster-plan_ln.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=104&title=Third+Street+master+plan+taking+shape
February 11, 201015 yr This corner could use some work to become more ped-friendly. Anyone have pics of the site as it is right now?
February 12, 201015 yr Best I have is the Google Street View for Third and Livingston. The area south of the intersection that's shown in the rendering isn't really that terrible. Although these streetscape enhancements would be an improvement. The area north of the intersection is part that needs to be more pedestrian friendly. But that can't occur until the I-70/71 Freeway redo happens.
February 12, 201015 yr Best I have is the Google Street View for Third and Livingston. The area south of the intersection that's shown in the rendering isn't really that terrible. Although these streetscape enhancements would be an improvement. The area north of the intersection is part that needs to be more pedestrian friendly. But that can't occur until the I-70/71 Freeway redo happens. It'd be really great if the interstate was capped between the CBD and German Village. The same is true between Cincinnati's CBD and the Banks development.
February 12, 201015 yr Best I have is the Google Street View for Third and Livingston. The area south of the intersection that's shown in the rendering isn't really that terrible. Although these streetscape enhancements would be an improvement. The area north of the intersection is part that needs to be more pedestrian friendly. But that can't occur until the I-70/71 Freeway redo happens. Have to disagree. There's no need for the disastrous split revamp which ODOT won't be able to pay for once they start. There are measures that can be taken to make 3rd St Downtown less car-oriented including curb bump-outs, inclusion of sharrows on the right and left lanes, and most importantly change the traffic signal pattern to slow traffic approaching German Village. No split fix or two-way conversion necessary.
February 21, 201015 yr Best I have is the Google Street View for Third and Livingston. The area south of the intersection that's shown in the rendering isn't really that terrible. Although these streetscape enhancements would be an improvement. The area north of the intersection is part that needs to be more pedestrian friendly. But that can't occur until the I-70/71 Freeway redo happens. Have to disagree. There's no need for the disastrous split revamp which ODOT won't be able to pay for once they start. There are measures that can be taken to make 3rd St Downtown less car-oriented including curb bump-outs, inclusion of sharrows on the right and left lanes, and most importantly change the traffic signal pattern to slow traffic approaching German Village. No split fix or two-way conversion necessary. I won't argue that those measures wouldn't improve pedestrian accessibility between the Downtown and German Village. They would. And should be done. But the most pedestrian unfriendly feature is the two left lanes of Third Street. They function as ramps that feed traffic to the I-70/71 split. And those won't ever go away until the split revamp occurs.
February 21, 201015 yr This isn't technically a development story. But it does deal with the maintenance of German Village's brick streets. Which is one of the main physical features of German Village. Plus, its interesting to see the lengths that the City goes to in modifying standard procedure regarding the historic brick streets. City uses special equipment for plowing Village streets By GARTH BISHOP, COLUMBUS NEWS Published: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - 6:06 PM EST Keeping German Village's brick streets clear of snow requires an approach different from that used on most Columbus streets, but the city's snow crews have a dedicated system to deal with it. Plows don't handle brick the same way they handle pavement, and the city is prepared to deal with that difference, said Rick Tilton, assistant director of public service. "For German Village or any other streets that have brick on them, we equip (our vehicles) with blades that have a rubber edge on the bottom ... so it will not damage the bricks," Tilton said. "If we went down with a large dump truck with a standard blade on it, it would probably damage the bricks." The city uses plows with rubber blades as well as smaller vehicles -- pickup trucks and tractors -- with standard blades in the area, Tilton said, always careful not to damage the brick streets. Full article at http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2010/02/20/german_village_gazette/news/gvsnow%202-1_20100217_0306pm_4.txt
March 7, 201015 yr The Future of Third Street Society Board hears update about improvement plans By GARTH BISHOP, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS Published: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - 5:38 PM EST After extensive study, the group planning for the future of Third Street in German Village is getting ready to lay out which suggested changes can be made first. Sarah Richardson of Kinzelman Kline Gossman, the architectural firm hired by the city of Columbus to work out the plan, gave the German Village Society Board of Trustees an update on the group's progress at the board's meeting Monday, March 1. The plan divides Third Street into unofficial "districts" based on the current distribution of structures on the street -- business and office to the north, residential to the south and a "village green" area in the middle, where St. Mary's Church is located. It also posits the possibility of a more pronounced gateway into German Village to make crossing Livingston Avenue into the neighborhood a more memorable experience. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2010/03/04/german_village_gazette/news/gvthirdstr_20100303_0304pm_6.txt
April 6, 201015 yr Just made a very small contribution, but hopefully one that will be a convenience to folks other than myself. The Giant Eagle on East Whittier recently put in a drive-through pharmacy window (:-(), and in the process got rid of their broken bike rack. Weeks later and the bike rack still hasn't been replaced. I brought this to the company's attention and they said a new one will be installed in a few weeks. Now if only they'd do something with the mass of rusting unused carts chained out front that pedestrians have to walk into lot traffic to avoid.
July 9, 201014 yr From Columbus Underground: At Home: German Village Restoration When John Napier’s wife decided to move here for work, they decided they also wanted to buy a house in German Village. John says, “we never really considered living anywhere else.” "German Village is wonderful." He went on to say, “German Village is the best neighborhood I have ever lived in. It’s quiet, the people are friendly and each day there is another set of flowers blooming. The wonderful smells change day to day and morning to night. I really can’t imagine living in a nicer neighborhood.” The four bedroom, three bath, 2900 square foot house was built in 1868 of very hard golden bricks made of sandstone. Below is a photo of the front and the back of the property. FOR MORE TEXT AND PHOTOS: http://www.columbusunderground.com/at-home-german-village-restoration
July 11, 201014 yr Two-part report from the German Village ThisWeek Newspaper on the homes featured in last weekend's 51th annual house and garden tour in the German Village neighborhood. Description of the properties and photo slideshow in the articles: Part 1: Key to Haus und Garten Tour is diversity Part 2: Asian-themed garden, duplex included on tour
July 19, 201014 yr Third Street wish list carries a hefty price tag By GARTH BISHOP, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS Published: Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 12:46 AM EDT A study on the future of Third Street in German Village has shown residents want less visible utility wires, changes to curbs and paving and more pronounced gateways into the neighborhood. Now comes the hard part: paying for it. The committee studying the Third Street Master Plan met July 7 to learn about the options available to pay for the extensive changes for which the study calls. The architectural firm Kinzelman Kline Gossman was hired by the city of Columbus to work out the plan for the street's future. The firm's plan divides Third Street into three unofficial "districts" based on its current distribution of structures -- business and office to the north, residential to the south and a "village green" area in the middle near St. Mary's Catholic Church. It also identifies potential gateways at Livingston and Reinhard avenues. Priorities identified include reducing the number of visible overhead utility wires; balancing brick and asphalt/concrete as paving materials for both streets and sidewalks; determining appropriate street tree and plant distributions; adding proper furnishings, streetlights and signs; and making changes to curbs and sidewalks for the sake of pedestrians. Full article: http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2010/07/15/german_village_gazette/news/gvthirdstr_20100714_0310pm_5.txt
July 21, 201014 yr COST ESTIMATES FOR THIRD STREET STREETSCAPE WORK • Switching from the current wooden utility poles to underground utilities: $13.8 million-$15.8 million • Upgrading Third Street using brick pavers: $3.8 million-$4.2 million • Switching from the current wooden utility poles to taller metal poles that can hold more lines: $1.8 million-$2.1 million • Upgrading Third Street using asphalt: $475,000-$650,000 • Curb work: $800,000-$1 million • Sidewalk work: $3.5 million-$3.8 million • Livingston Avenue gateway: $550,000-$650,000 • Reinhard Avenue gateway: $150,000-$250,000 • Plantings: $275,000-$350,000 • Street furniture: $150,000-$200,000 • Lighting: $750,000-$850,000 • Signage: $80,000-$120,000 These cost estimates are from the previously posted article "Third Street wish list carries a hefty price tag". PDF of the Third Street Masterplan
July 22, 201014 yr If you're going to mess with the utility poles... you gotta go with the burial option. The aesthetic improvement of that alone is profound.
July 23, 201014 yr Currently, according to trulia $461,417 is the average listing price while $233,000 is the median sales price. I'd really like to see the power lines buried, sidewalks fixed, and gateway arches. I bike, so I have more than my share of brick that I'd want to bike on.
July 23, 201014 yr Do you know roughly how much homes sell for in German Village? It varies greatly. For a tiny 2 bedroom you're probably looking at lower 200s. Marion Village is a better deal and you enjoy all of the amenities of German Village next door.
August 19, 201014 yr GERMAN VILLAGE STREETSCAPE Walking tour to identify potential upgrades Wednesday, August 11, 2010 By Gary Seman Jr., ThisWeek Staff Writer A group of German Village residents will conduct a visual inventory of the neighborhood in an effort to bring additional aesthetic improvements to the area. The walking tour, called "Taking it to the streets," begins at 6 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third Street. Brian Santin, chairman of the German Village Society's streetscape committee, which is conducting the event, said the group will take a walking tour down South Third Street and the inner part of the village, identifying specific beautification measures and areas of concern. It is a continuation of the committee's decision to create brochures addressing sidewalk improvements, tree replacement and wrought-iron fence maintenance. Some items under consideration are the addition of flower boxes and the German Village sign, which bears the neighborhood insignia, on area houses. Curb replacement has also been under discussion, as there is fairly significant deterioration of limestone and sandstone curbs in the area, said Ned Thiell, another member of the committee. Full article: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2010/08/11/walking-tour-to-identify-potential-upgrades.html?sid=104
October 21, 201014 yr Set your DVRs! Thursday at 9 is the television premier of WOSU's Neighborhood Series featuring German Village! http://www.wosu.org/community/columbus-neighborhoods/
November 2, 201014 yr Columbus schools plan to buy Maennerchor's buildings Purchase will allow damaged Stewart Alternative to expand Tuesday, November 2, 2010 By Jennifer Smith Richards, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The fire-damaged Stewart Alternative Elementary School will grow as it is being restored if the Columbus school district buys the adjacent Columbus Maennerchor property. The district has agreed to pay $1.3 million for the Maennerchor buildings, minus two small parcels. That's a price break from the original list price of $2.4 million but slightly more than a recent appraisal at $1.05 million. The Columbus Board of Education is expected to vote on the proposed contract at its meeting today. "The fact that this property makes such a significant enhancement of the school property makes us comfortable to offer a little more than the appraisal," said Carole Olshavsky, who oversees district facilities. Stewart has no parking, no separate cafeteria or gymnasium, no art rooms or tutoring rooms and little green space, she said. A portion of the historic German Village school was gutted by arson fire in late July, so its students have been moved to the former Beck Elementary. Repairs from the fire would have cost between $600,000 and $1 million, Olshavsky said, so it made sense to renovate the school earlier than planned instead of making repairs now and renovating in the near future. The property Columbus aims to buy currently houses the Maennerchor's Cloak and Dagger Theater and the Zum Rathskeller restaurant. It's too soon to say what would happen to them, Olshavsky said. There are several stipulations on the sale. For it to go through, the Columbus Maennerchor board also must approve the purchase contract. And the plans would have to be OK'd by the city, the Brewery District Commission and the Columbus Historic Resource Commission. A portion of Pearl Street would have to be rerouted. MORE: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/11/02/copy/district-plans-to-buy-clubs-buildings.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
November 4, 201014 yr More about the renovation/addition of the Stewart Elementary School in German Village and its possible expansion on to the Maennerchor properties from Columbus Local News. Maennerchor, Columbus schools are eyeing a land deal By GARTH BISHOP, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS Wednesday, November 3, 2010 5:49 PM EDT If things go according to Columbus City Schools' plans, the site currently housing the Columbus Maennerchor could soon become part of an expanded Stewart Alternative Elementary School. The school district this week announced plans to buy the Maennerchor building, 966 S. High St.; knock it down; and use it to house a new section of the school, 40 E. Stewart Ave. Carole Olshavsky, the schools' senior executive for capital improvements, spoke at the German Village Society Board of Trustees meeting Monday, Nov. 1, about tentative plans. Stewart suffered extensive smoke and internal structural damage in an arson fire July 30. It was scheduled for renovation down the road as part of the district's Facilities Master Plan, but now that the building needs to be repaired anyway, it makes more sense to renovate now rather than repair now and renovate later, Olshavsky said. The project calls for an 8,500-square-foot addition to the school, including a gymnasium, stage and cafeteria. The addition would also house administrative offices, allowing the administrative offices in the current school building to go back to being classrooms. Without an expansion beyond the school's current property, the addition would have to be located to the north of the school building, swallowing up the rest of the space on the site and leaving no outdoor space. MORE: http://columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2010/11/08/german_village_gazette/news/gvmaennerc_20101103_0159pm_7.txt
November 15, 201014 yr Potential loss of Maennerchor lamented Wednesday, November 10, 2010 By GARY SEMAN JR. ThisWeek Community Newspapers Many people in German Village agree that much would be lost if the Columbus Maennerchor falls victim to the wrecking ball. Supporters say the facility, which got its start as a German singing society 160 years ago, is an iconic symbol of the neighborhood's early days, providing a place to dance, enjoy shared heritage and eat ethnic food. Other observers see the situation as a sign of the times, when ethnic clubs no longer appeal to the younger generations, who assimilate to the American culture and lose hold of their "old world" traditions. Columbus City Schools wants to buy the roughly 2-acre Maennerchor property, 966 S. High St., so it can build an addition on Stewart Alternative Elementary School across Pearl Street. That means the Maennerchor building, which houses the Zum Rathskeller restaurant and large private ballrooms, would be torn down. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2010/11/10/potential-loss-of-maennerchor-lamented.html
November 16, 201014 yr I hate to see any portion of the Maennerchor go although if people cared so much they should've joined the club over the past few years as membership has steadily declined despite their calls to the neighborhood for support. It's a relief to read that they will be keeping the house on the corner!
November 16, 201014 yr So any time a business fails, it's appropriate to just tear down the building? I hate to see any portion of the Maennerchor go although if people cared so much they should've joined the club over the past few years as membership has steadily declined despite their calls to the neighborhood for support. It's a relief to read that they will be keeping the house on the corner!
November 24, 201014 yr So any time a business fails, it's appropriate to just tear down the building? I'm sure that comment comes from a pro-preservation perspective which is supported by most of us here - myself included. But it oversimplifies what this proposal involves. First, it should be noted that this is German Village - the original historic preservation neighborhood in Columbus. An historic district that hasn't allowed a demolition in probably over 30 years. They don't take any proposal involving demolition lightly. Second, the proposal involves the fire repair/renovation and addtion to the Stewart Elementary School. This is a landmark building that has been well preserved and maintained by its owner, Columbus Public Schools. But it's also a property that is landlocked and unable to expand to meet some of its 21st century needs. Third, the properties in question are a combination of contributing and non-contributing structures. The original houses facing High Street have been modified into commercial uses, but are definately worth saving. Later single-story block additions for the restaurant and ballrooms facing Pearl Alley are definately non-contributing and won't be missed. Fourth, there's also a large surface parking lot that serves the restaurant and ballrooms. That large surface parking lot is not just an aesthetic problem - it's an ongoing development concern for German Village. The High Street zoning allows up to a four story office building on the site, which would be out-of-scale with the surrounding residential area. An addition to the school would be something in context with the surrounding area. So there's alot more going on here then "tearing down a building because business is failing". This is an opportunity to address multiple neighborhood concerns with a redevelopment proposal. German Village will need to carefully review the Columbus Schools plans - and they will. But this could potentially be a great project for the neighborhood. If done correctly, there could be a high quality addition to Stewart Elementary School, a downsized Zum Rathskeller restaurant relocated into one of the contributing historic houses, and a downsized, better landscaped parking lot to serve that restaurant. Isn't that a conversation worth having?
December 1, 201014 yr STEWART SCHOOL EXPANSION CCS' plan involves lots of red tape Wednesday, November 17, 2010 By Gary Seman Jr. ThisWeek Community Newspapers Columbus City Schools would have to cross many legislative hurdles before renovating and expanding Stewart Alternative Elementary School. For starters, the district would have to get a signoff from the German Village and Brewery District commissions, two architectural review boards that grant permitting requests called certificates of appropriateness. Jay Panzer, chairman of the German Village Commission, said it's rare that a project crosses the boundaries of two historic review commissions. The school district's plan is to renovate the 28,000-square-foot school building and build an addition, in the 9,000-square-foot range, on the west side of the building, spanning Pearl Street and into the current Columbus Maennerchor lot, 966 S. High Street. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/germanvillage/stories/2010/11/17/ccs-plan-involves-lots-of-red-tape.html?sid=104
January 3, 201114 yr Residents try to save ash trees in Schiller Saturday, December 25, 2010 By Robert Vitale, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH German Village is going into battle to save ash trees that have been around since the Civil War. Residents are trying to raise $5,000 over the next five months to pay for a new treatment against the emerald ash borer. The treatment has been declared highly effective by researchers at Ohio State and Michigan State universities. The insecticide would be injected into 31 ash trees in Schiller Park. Some are estimated to be 150 years old. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/12/25/residents-try-to-save-ash-trees-in-schiller.html?sid=101
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